6-Year Old Keeps Asking "How Will the Baby Come Out of Your Tummy!"

Updated on February 16, 2008
R.F. asks from Centerville, UT
14 answers

My 6-year old keeps asking me how the baby is going to come out of my tummy. I want to keep it age appropriate and not freak her out. I've been changing the subject, but as the day approaches (April) I'm going to have to face her question. Any suggestions as to how to tell her about this or is there a good children's book out there that is good for kids of that age. Any suggestions are welcome!

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S.W.

answers from Iowa City on

My daughter is very intelligent & always asks tons of questions. I am always frank with her & give her age appropriate answers. I have always used the appropriate names for body parts. She is almost 4 years old & know babies come out of mom's vaginas. She has asked many times how they are made & for now my answer is that moms & dads kiss & make them. She is questioning that now, so I will have to come up with something else lol. Kids are smart they will find the answers to questions somewhere why not be the one to enlighten them on these simple facts of life?
Brekka

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H.

answers from Provo on

Not that I usually use television to explain things to my child but I have really loved watching a Baby story on TLC I think. It shows families preparing for and the labor and delivery of the new baby. My daughter is 3 and she loves watching with me and when she has questions we talk about it... If you choose this route you might watch one by yourself so you know what to expect before having your 6 year old watch with you. Good luck and congrats!!!

2 moms found this helpful
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E.H.

answers from Grand Rapids on

I am due in March and have a 3 year old daughter. I have told her the truth about birth. She seems to understand, and hasn't really asked too many questions since. I am also taking her to a big sister/brother class that the hospital offers just to cover anything I missed. I think it is important to tell the truth no matter the age, just keep it at their level of understanding. They will respect you for it in the future.

1 mom found this helpful

T.M.

answers from Lansing on

We have four kids and the youngest is 5 years old. They all know where/how babies come. One book we found that we liked is called "It's Not the Stork!: A Book About Girls, Boys, Babies, Bodies, Families and Friends" by Robie Harris.

Good luck! and congrats on your growing family.

1 mom found this helpful
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T.W.

answers from Salt Lake City on

I have a 4 month old baby, and my 3 year old asked the same thing before he was born. I told her the truth. I'm glad she can count on me for truthful information. Certainly I'm not ready to explain sex to her, a few questions can be answered simply and sometimes if you are uncomfortable, you can say, "I think this is something that we can talk more about when you are X years old" (when you think it is appropriate, but you have to be willing to tell them about everything by the time they are 8, or they will get it from friends at school, maybe even earlier).

I really like the book A Child is Born, by Lennart Nillson. It shows pictures of a baby at all stages of development, and shows pictures of childbirth. It wasn't necessarily written with children as the audience, but it's an opportunity for a parent to say, this is what our baby looks like now, this is what is happening.

I believe children will be better off with correct information and are able to handle a lot more information than we give them credit for.

1 mom found this helpful
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L.B.

answers from Sioux Falls on

When my son was telling a friend about it, he told them its like a bird, we just poop them out!! I decided that I better inform him on how a baby is really born, before I got calls from his friends asking ME where he gets his info from!! Lol He had never really asked me any questions, he just assumes he knows all the answers. lol I dont think there is any harm in explaining things to them, I have known since very young where babies came from and how they were born (mom is an RN, so I learned many things when I was little and decided very early on that nursing wasnt for me ;) lol) Good Luck and Congrats!

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D.M.

answers from Boise on

My (just turned) 7 yr old and I have talked about lots of things already, from childbirth to puberty. She's comfortable with asking me questions, and I'm comfortable with answering them. I do keep things as simple as possible (because she's still little). But I don't change the subject if a topic comes up, such as babies. She knows that she was born "naturally" (yes, I used the word vagina) and that her brother was born by c-section. I let her set the pace. If she shows additional interest I tell her a little more. Nothing scary, or too graphic, of course. Your daughter is seeing the changes that your body is going through and is curious and maybe a little afraid. There are good books out there...you should find several if you google children's books and childbirth on amazon. I hope that the rest of your pregnancy goes well. Don't be afraid to let your daughter be involved with this pregnancy as much as possible. She's old enough to know about childbirth and should also be able to help do things such as help choose outfits, or a special blanket/animal etc... The more you prepare her now the more likely it is that the transition will go smoothly for her. My daughter knew that her brother would cry when he was born, and that it would be a while before he was much fun to play with. But I also told her that she could hold him, help give him bottles and brush his hair. She did really well when he was born. I hope that you have a similar experience.

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J.H.

answers from Billings on

When I was pregnant with my son, my then two year old kept asking that same question. I just told her. I didn't go into any detail, I just told her WHERE. Of course, she then started inspecting herself every time she got undressed to see if there was a baby coming out of hers! That was good for a laugh. I had to then explain it wouldn't happen until she was a grown up...I don't think she's asked about it since.

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S.D.

answers from Salt Lake City on

No new suggestions, just a funny story - When I was pregnant with my son, my daughter was 7. One day as we were driving in the car, she turns to me as says "We are learning about chickens and eggs in school. I understand how the chicken's egg gets fertilized, but how did your egg get fertilized?" I really wasn't planning on having that discussion so early in life! Sometimes it's best to taylor your answers to the age of the child. Don't give them more than they can process.

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T.W.

answers from Lansing on

First Congratulations on the baby:)

I was very straight with my dd, and she was 3. She was fine with that. We had a book that showed every stage of the fetus, she loved it--it was real pictures. I don't think you are giving your 6 year old enough credit. This is a very natural wonderful process, why wouldn't you want to explain it to her?

I think if you try a christian book store, they do have books that may be what you are looking for.

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C.W.

answers from Great Falls on

I think it's a really good idea to just tell the truth. At age 6, they will remember if you lied to them. I would give different advice if they were 3 but think back. Can't you remember lots of things your parents told you at age 6? I'm the big sister, exactly 6 years and 3 days older than my sister and my parents told me the truth.

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S.B.

answers from Salt Lake City on

I had the same problem only the first time she was asking was at 5 years old. The first time we sidetracked her by telling her about her belly button and how it feeds the baby. But awhile later she realized we never told her. So then I told her that some moms have to have the baby cut from their stomach (c-section) by the doc. Then she stated to me that I didn't have a scar so how did she come out then? I fianlly explained it to her in simple terms that the baby comes out between your legs and she was totally content. No more questions thank goodness! I don't know what the right or wrong thing to telll kids is but it is hard when they are so young. Good luck!

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C.N.

answers from Duluth on

telling her the truth is the best and maybe watch the baby story on l if you have cable you can use it as a tool to help you explain better.
C. N

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L.N.

answers from Benton Harbor on

My son was 3 when his brother was born and he asked me that, too. Luckily, I was having a c-sec. so it wasn't such a hard question to answer. He still asks to see the incision where the doctor 'took Mason out of my tummy'. Just be honest. I think kids get freaked out when parents get freaked out and that starts the pattern! Let her ask the questions and answer them simply.

Good luck and congrats!
~L.

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