When we were lucky enough to fall pregnant again, I had decided that I wanted little man to know he was going to be a big brother from as early on as possible. 

Since we discovered I was pregnant, I’ve been telling him that he’s going to be a big brother; I know he probably won’t quite understand this concept yet, but he has been around newborn/young babies, so I’m hoping he’s going to be gentle when berry arrives.

As well as telling him about the baby, I’ve been showing him where it is, pointing to my belly. Not long after, he started pointing at it saying ‘baba’. Now I ask him about baby. If you say to him “Where’s baby?”, he points to my belly, lifts my top up (though I’d rather he didn’t when out in public, little monkey!), and smiles. Occasionally he will also give baby a kiss, and maybe a cuddle too. It is so so cute and makes my heart melt every time. Except for the times when he’s in one of his ‘I’ll hit something because it’s a game and funny’ moods and smacks it. He does get told no, so I’m hoping he’ll learn, and learn that when baby is outside that he can’t smack it. 

At some point I want to teach him a little more with a book, as I’ve read that this does help a bit more with understanding, when baby arrives. Does anybody have any tips or recommendations for me, on books and at which age is best (in your experience)? He is 17.5 months now, and will be 23 months when baby arrives. Maybe I won’t need one, maybe he will be okay from me talking to him about it, but I like to be prepared!