Is Your Eldest Ready for a New Baby?

Karen Strain, whose daughter Cecilia was two years old when Strain became pregnant with her second child, always referred to the new baby as "our baby." "It helped [Cecilia] view her new brother or sister as someone we were anxiously welcoming into our family as opposed to someone who would in some way take her place," says Strain.

When informing your child that he is going to be a big brother, sensitivity to the words you choose can go a long way. "Our baby" is a positive and inclusive way to refer to a new baby. Referring to him as "my baby" or "Mommy's baby" may cause your child to become overly defensive of his position in the family and his unique relationship with you as his parents.