Explaining Where Babies Come From - South Milwaukee,WI

Hi T.,

My daughter Montanna (4 1/2) has been asking the same questions since she was about 3. First of all I did have a c-section, so she does know where she came out, but she also wanted to know how she got in there. I told her she has / or a part of her has always been in my tummy since I was born.
But if you ask Montanna how she got into my tummy she will tell you that she shwooped in through my belly button.

As for a book with illustrations we have a couple books about where babies come from. I would suggest looking at Barnes & Noble or a store like that in the baby/motherhood section and you should find books there to help explain it to children.

Good Luck, sorry I couldn't give you titles though.
A.

T.,

When I couldn't dodge the bullet any longer and answers like "the hospital," "my tummy," and "heaven" weren't sufficient to the question of where babies come from, I was quick, pleasant and accurate.

Babies come out a special hole in their mommy's bottom. (You may need to clarify that it is not where poop or potty comes out.) Does it hurt? There is special medicine that a mommy can ask for that makes it so it doesn't hurt. Sometimes babies get stuck and the doctor needs to make a little cut in the mommy's tummy to get the baby out, but again, there is medicine so that the mommy can't even feel it and the doctor fixes the hole once the baby is out. Mommies have been doing this since the very first mommy on the earth. It may sound a little weird or scary, but it is not. It is the most natural thing in the world.

Now may also be a good time to check out books from the library on the subject at an appropriate level. I also let them look at the pictures in the magazines that the Dr. office gives out and see the ultrasound pictures and videos.

Good luck,
S.

It is always best to stick to as little as possible, but if they must know, then don't lie.
We've told very inquisitive kids that God made three special holes in women, one for poop, one for pee, and a special one in the middle for babies to come out. They do need to know that the baby is not in your stomach and you don't poop or pee it out, lol.
That should be enough for a 4 year old. You might have to explain that the hole grows big enough on its own, but I wouldn't go there unless she asks.

Being Born is an amazing book with real live photos of invitro (sp?) babies and a beautiful explanation about birth with photos of a mom giving birth (from the doctor's view). It is not shocking or scary. It is almost a poem it is so beautifully written.

Remember the PBS Series about Being Born that came out after the book? Look for the book at the library. This will help to allay her fears and I'll bet she will sit for hours looking at it..

Ask her what she thinks the answer is. Sometimes their answers aren't so inaccurate, and they aren't nearly as in depth as we think we might need to be with our answers. Asking her what she thinks will at least give you an idea of far she needs you to go with it.

My 4 year old asked the same question as to how the baby comes out. Our situation is rather complicated. My husband and I recently divorced, but made an attempt to reconcile. Well, we had a little oops, which is still a blessing. Then, when I was 4 months pregnant, he left for one of his clients and wants nothing to do with the baby. But, I told my son, that the baby comes out when it is ready and that mommy will go to the doctor. He then asked where it comes out. I said it comes out the way it needs to and didn't go into detail. He seemed ok with that answer. He didn't ask any questions when his sister was born almost 2 years ago. Sometimes it is so difficult when those smart little minds get so curious. Good Luck!

T. ; yes i have 3 boys, and those questions always were doozies, the first question was always easy, where do babies come from, mommys tummy, how do you get it out was next, the dr helps mommy get it out, or i used to say also, it comes out the baby hole, hahaha but then that usually follows with how did it get in there, hahahah thats when i would say daddy put it in there, , usually straight forward and simple answers suffice, ahahah heard of an illustration, where the little boy says mommy where did i come from, after a long drawn out 10-15 minutes of embarrassing answers of where babies come from, the mom finally says why do you ask, and his reply was cause my freind johnny is from chicago! haahahah sometimes we dont know for sure what they are asking, its good to get the questions out first, ahahahah but any way, simple, consise facts is all that is required, D. s

Hi, My 9 year old asked the same thing only because her sister 18 was having a baby. We sat her down and flat out told her. There is no way to suger coat it when your oldest daughter is about to have a baby. My youngest sat down with us and we watched the birthing channel. Now she knows how a baby is born and hopefully no time soon ( ever) will she want to have one seeing first hand how bad it hurts. Try getting a dvd called the joy of birthing, or ask your Dr. to explain it to her if you are uncomfortable talking about it. Have both girls attend. you would sooner have them hear it from you than from kids at school, day care, etc..... Good luck

There is a book called "So that's how I was born" By Dr. Robert Brooks. And there are many others, but that one is for ages 4-8 so should be helpful with your childs ages. Good luck!

It sounds really strange, but I told my oldest (5yo) that I kinda poop out the baby. Then I laugh and say isn't that silly. He laughs and then drops the subject. But if I ever get pregnant again, I'll have to check out some of those books to get some other ideas. Ones not as weird.

My 6.5 year old is asking also because I'm pregnant with #2. I'm completely honest and truthful with her. I give her so much info even graphic and try and just give her bits at a time but she keeps coming back with more questions she is almost knowing detail for detail how the baby gets in there. My so so answers haven't been good enough so I tell her more details and she get's grossed out. She does know she was a c-section and that this baby will be too. So anyways I've had to be 100% with my daughter no beating around the bush.

Our oldest was 4 when his brother was born and he was naturally full of questions. We answered them honestly as they came, rarely offering more than he asked for. At that age, they are usually looking for simple answers.
I explained that mommies have a special place in their bellies for babies to grow called a uterus. Mommies' bodies put a tiny egg in their uterus and daddies help it turn into a tiny baby. The baby has an little tube called an umbilical cord that puts food into the baby's belly. The food comes from a special sack called the placenta. Mommies have a special hole that the babies come out of when they're ready. The doctor gives Mommy medicine so it doesn't hurt.
He did ask what the hole was called and we debated whether he was old enough to use the word vagina appropriately. Before we could answer he said, "I know! It's called The Baby Hole!"

When my daughter was one to ask a lot of questions. She's 12 now and it doesn't stop. But I have an idea for you. Have you had an ultrasound yet? You could show her the pictures and explain the doctor didn't have to hurt you to see the baby then so she shouldn't have to worry because you are fine. That might put any fears she has to rest. I wish you the best.

There is a book called "It's So Amazing" by Robie H. Harris that comes highly recommended. It is meant for age 7 and up, but I bought it when my daughter was 5 to be prepared. At 6 she has now asked a lot of questions and I am always honest in my answers, without giving more information than she is asking for. Her friends are giving her all kinds of "information" already and I want her to know she can get the truth from me.

In our family, all aspects of sex and reproduction are considered natural and normal and talked about openly. We have raised a boy and girl who are 25 and 23 now and we still talk with them about all subjects. They were both with me through the labor and birth of their little sister, which was a valuable learning experience for them both.

Try www.family.org for some ideas.

My six year old boy also doesn't really care much about this process, but my four year old daughter had some questions!
I first told her that "Mommy goes to the hospital and the doctor helps to take the baby out". That worked when she was younger. But when I tried to repeat that answer to her recently, now at age four, she looked at me and said, "But HOW does the doctor get the baby out!". I knew then I needed better answers. I explained to her that girls have an extra hole down there just for babies to come out of (and that she had one, too). It was funny, she didn't believe me at first and laughed. After I convinced her of that fact, she was fine. "OK." Good enough.
Good luck!

Lennart Nillson's books are very straightforward. Lots of photographs. I'm assuming your 4 y.o. can't read yet, so you can make up your own "story" to go with the photos. Check out his "A Child is Born".

Hi T.. As a mother of 7, with the youngest being 11, I would recommend a book that I loved. I will tell you up front that it is a clearly Christian book since that reflects my values. It is called "The Wonderful Way That Babies are Made" by Larry Christiansen. It is written with two versions in the same book; one simple message for toddlers and one for elementary age children. Many of my friends at church have borrowed the book as they heard of it. It does not use many illustrations, but the message is given in a beautiful way and you decide how much information your child can handle. Hope this helps.