You're getting a little brother!

Big brother or big sister: When should I tell my child about the pregnancy?

The right time to tell your child that they will have a little brother or sister depends largely on the child's age. However, children are very sensitive to changes in their environment and will soon notice that something is different than usual. Use a quiet moment when everyone is together to tell your child that they will soon be a big brother or big sister. Picture books or stories that explain the new situation in an age-appropriate way can help you with this.

Under three years: Toddlers do not yet have a developed sense of time. A birth that is six or seven months away is hard to explain. You might prefer to wait with the news until your baby moves and kicks more in the belly. If your toddler can feel that something is growing in Mom's belly, the new situation will be less abstract. You should also instruct family and friends that you want to be the first to tell your child that they will soon be a big sibling.

From about three years: Your child will quickly notice that your belly is growing and that things are changing. Therefore include them in the pregnancy as early as possible. That way your child won't feel like you're keeping something from them and can adjust to their new sibling role. They will probably also have many questions and be curious about how the baby is developing.

Tips for preparing for a little brother or sister

Practice rituals: After the birth of the sibling, many things will change. It is likely that the father or grandparents will spend more time with the firstborn, take them to kindergarten, or read the bedtime story so that the mother can take care of the newborn. It is best to introduce these changes before the birth so that your child is not too surprised and does not associate the changes with the baby.
No false promises: Better not tell your child that they will get a new friend to play and romp with. The disappointment will be great if the baby cannot yet join in during the first months.
Look at photos: The idea of what a new baby looks like is often incorrect for many children — and adults too. Show your child photos of how they themselves looked as a newborn and talk with them about that time. Meetings with other babies can also prepare your child for the sibling.
Talk together: Schenkt eurem Kind die Aufmerksamkeit, die es nun braucht, um über seine Gefühle zu sprechen. Es sollte offen zugeben dürfen, dass es unsicher oder vielleicht auch wütend ist, dass es sich Mama und Papa bald teilen muss. Versucht nicht die Gefühle eures Kindes zu lenken und ihm zu unterstellen, wie sehr es sich auf das Baby freut.
Include them: Older children can already be involved in planning for the baby. If your child is allowed to help decide where the changing table and bed will go or which old toys they might give to the new baby, they will feel taken seriously and can already practice the pride of being the big sibling.
Practice: If your child is old enough, you can give them a doll with the appropriate accessories. That way they also have their own baby to be changed and fed. In some cities, midwives and maternity clinics also offer short preparatory courses for future siblings.
Not too much: If there are other changes around the due date, you should try to carry them out beforehand or postpone them. Too many changes at once will overwhelm your child, so starting kindergarten, moving house, or weaning from the pacifier should be well planned.

When it gets 'difficult': How should I respond to my child?

Kinder auf Geschwister vorbereiten | Mutter hält Mädchen und Geschwister sucht Nähe

Despite preparation and openness, your child will probably still feel insecure and react to your pregnancy at least at times with rather tiring or difficult behavior. Try not to scold your child or punish them for the behavior. This can sometimes be a particular challenge during pregnancy when you feel nauseous or have back pain. However, you should still try to respond to your child when they demand more attention than usual or act stubborn more often. That way your child notices that they are still loved unconditionally and that you take their feelings seriously even with the new baby.