The best thing to do, after you have broken the news to your two year old, is to wait for your child to take the lead. He or she will not want to talk about the new baby all the time, but there will be times when he or she asks questions, and when your child does, you should do your best to answer them honestly.
 
In the beginning, your child is likely to be uninterested, but as your belly grows, and your baby begins to move, you will probably find that your child has more questions. Let him or her touch your belly, answer your child’s questions, and ask a few of your own. Get your child to sing, pat or talk to your baby, and remember not to mention if the pregnancy is making you feel ill.
 
Depending on how advanced your child is, you may be able to explain what things will be like after the baby arrives. Children closer to three, for instance, will understand that their new sibling will not be able to play with them at first, while younger children will not. Show your child photos of yourself when you were pregnant with him or her, and of him or herself as a baby. Visit friends or relatives that have new babies, so your child can see what it is like to have a baby in the house.
 
Another good idea is to get your older child involved in preparations. Take your child along when you shop for things for the baby, and ask his or her opinion on purchases. Get your child to help unwrapping presents, and arranging them in the baby’s room. If the baby’s arrival will mean moving your child out of his or her cot, try to do this as early as possible in the pregnancy.
 
As the birth of your new baby gets nearer, you may notice that your older child begins to regress, or that he or she becomes anxious and clingy. Be to be as reassuring and patient as possible, and make extra effort to spend special time alone together, before the arrival of your new baby changes everything. Stick to your regular routine as much as possible, avoid starting new things, like a new day care or toilet training, as the stress from the baby will be enough for your child to handle, and you should find that everything works out okay.

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