Wait until he asks questions about the preparations and the obvious physical changes he observes in his mother. As questions are raised, they should be responded to with plain and simple explanations of the facts. Be guided by your own child's willingness to get into the subject. As interest increases, you and your child can discuss casually some of the possible ways he can participate in the care of the baby. If your preschooler has had little exposure to very small babies, it might be helpful to arrange opportunities to visit relatives and friends and observe a few babies closely.
Many hospitals now give special tours of the baby nursery for expectant siblings.
This exposure could reduce some of the unrealistic expectations of the behavior of newborns and the potential disappointment that often comes from a lack of familiarity with babies. A Special Concern One of the concerns likely to be on your preschooler's mind is provision for her care while you are in the hospital and immediately after you return. Unless she raises the issue early, it is not necessary to announce the plans months ahead of time. Discussion about the arrangements should be straightforward and confident. It will not hurt to let her know that she will probably miss you, and it would be quite understandable if she felt a bit strange and concerned about it.