Bringing a new baby into the family is always a difficult transitionary phase for your child. When I realised I was pregnant, I immediately started creating a plan to let my son know a baby was coming. We told him the same time we told our family and we also made sure to never make him feel like he was being replaced. Instead, we tried to include him in everything we did, be it baby shopping or name picking.
Another thing that really helped us was reading him books that had stories about a new baby and how the older sibling gets 'promoted' to a big bro or sis. So we have compiled a list of books to help you prepare your child for when you bring a new baby into his/her world.
Author: Lauren Child
What firstborn doesn’t revel in being thought of by his parents as “simply the funniest, cleverest, most ADORABLE person they had ever seen”? Expressive illustrations and a story that speaks directly to children, this picture book tells the familiar tale of a less than welcome sibling. Buy here
Author: John Burningham
This book is perfect for those kids who are so excited about the arrival of a new baby that they just won’t stop asking questions. “When is the baby coming?” “What will he do?” are just some of them. Buy here
3. The New Baby
Author: Mercer Mayer
Need help introducing your child to his younger sibling? This book is the perfect way to help the older sibling welcome a younger one! From playing to helping change diapers, it covers it all. Buy here
Author: Katie Saunders
What happens when mommy’s stomach suddenly starts to grow? Archie thinks it’s an alien. Will the arrival of Olive, his sister, change everything or will life remain the same with just another marshmallow to love? Buy here
5. My New Baby
Author: Rachel Fuller
This is a series of board books aimed at kids under 3 years who are riddled with questions about their sibling arriving soon. The book is explained in a lucid and clear manner for little minds to involve and understand. Buy here.
6. I'm A Big Brother and I'm A Big Sister
Author: Joanna Cole
Told through the eyes of a new big brother/sister, this book has been probably passed on through generations as one of the best books to prepare your kid for a sibling and improve their behaviour when the little kid is around. Buy here.
Author: Dianne Danzig
A light-hearted yet sensible book that helps kids aged 3-5 years to track the younger one at various stages and helps your child stay upbeat about the arrival of the younger sibling. Buy here.
You may also like: 75 books every child must read
8. A New Baby At Koko Bear's House
Author: Vicki Lanski
Aimed at kids aged 2-6 years, the story is explained in a lovely narrative about the Koko Bear family with page-by-page suggestions for parents who are reading it aloud for the kids. Buy here.
Author: Harry Horse
Nothing fascinates kids like animals. A beautiful story narrated with a rabbit family and a little rabbit as the protagonist. The book teaches your elder one how to step up and take care of the young one when the time arrives. Buy here.
10. We Have A Baby
Author: Cathryn Falwell
Aimed at young children (up to preschool) who are eagerly awaiting their playmate for life. The warm illustrations and the descriptions of a happy family on every page make it a comfortable book for your kid. Buy here.
11. Best-Ever Big Sister & Best-Ever Big Brother
Author: Karen Katz
Aimed at kids aged 2-5 years this book touches upon the facts that how not only do kids adjust to the arrival of the new one, but also strive hard to assure the new-born that they will be around always for them. Buy here
12. There's A House Inside My Mummy
Author: Giles Andreae
A great book for young kids written in an engaging rhyming verse with great illustrations. Helps you transition through your elder one's phase with ease. Buy here.
Author: Amy Young
We adults say the craziest of things that confuse the young minds. How many time shave you uttered the phrase when you see a baby too darn cute, "I could just eat you up?"! That's exactly what's got this elder sibling worried and he is all out to protect his younger sibling from well, people like us! Buy here.
Author: Peter Mayle If you thought your child really needed to know how babies are formed and you will not settle for the usual line that they are a gift from God, you will choose this book. One that helps parents explain the toughest questions with the simplest answers. Buy here.
15. Mummy, Mummy, What's In Your Tummy?
Author: Sarah Simpson-Enock
This book gives wings to your child's creativity and the little minds wonder hard what's growing inside mummy's tummy. A lift-the-flap book targetted at preschoolers who are curious about the new addition to the family. Buy here.
Janani S Koushik
Mansi Zaveri
Janani S Koushik
Mansi Zaveri
KSP Team
Mansi Zaveri
