Reddit mentions: The best new baby books for children

The reveal last night went way better than expected. I had started having serious doubts and misgivings about going through with it starting midday. Panorama results weren't and wouldn't be back, and I had this fear that FIL would be a jerk and a half (long story, but he has opinions about just about everything, especially if it's related to money). But I'm glad I did, even though now I'm afraid I've jinxed it.

We had already planned to have dinner at my parents' house with my brother, my parents, DH's brother, and his parents (his sister lives way out of town now) as a kind of celebratory dinner for being done with the bar exam. I had taken the reveal gifts over during the day while my mom was picking stuff up for dinner. I wrapped them in large-ish kraft bags with yellow tissue paper and green ribbon. They looked quite nice! I should've taken a picture lol.

We got there fashionably late, but it was right after DH's family got there, so it was decent timing. We picked up a black and white cake from Whole Foods on the way there, and you should all get one because it was AMAZING. Chocolate cake with vanilla buttercream and there was a chocolate ganache on the top. So. Good. Anyway, I figured out a way to sneak the last two gifts in, and things were under way.

Everyone sat down in the den, and naturally we got on the topic of Disney World. So I used the opportunity to get the bags from upstairs, and I told them all that it was a surcee from WDW as a thanks for dealing with me for the past two months/three years. Everyone was convinced except my mom--she had sleuthed it out. MIL and FIL got these mugs, BIL got this mug (they're big coffee drinkers), my dad got an antique book (Tales of a Grandfather) from this store, my brother got the books Goodnight Moon and Night Night Little Tiger, and my mom got a board book of On the Night You Were Born (she's given that to my brother and me several times) and a little soft bunny.

BIL was the first to say something. He said, nonchalantly, "Uncle BIL." Then he got it. "Uncle BIL?" My brother saw his books and figured it out, but waited for the other responses. Mom knew immediately and was practically jumping out of her seat. MIL read her mug but thought we were giving it in advance (like we weren't pregnant yet). Then my mom told MIL, then she got it, then FIL got it. My dad was the last one to get it, though admittedly his was really subtle. But everyone was so sweet and so excited, and I'm really happy about it.

We're asking them to keep it quiet until after our next appointment, and then they can tell extended family and friends. We're also asking that nothing at all be posted to social media because we want to keep this as private as possible. I'm pretty sure they'll respect that, which makes me feel good. Only really worried about my dad blabbing when he's had too much to drink 😒

And now I realize this is longer than a birth story, but I felt like I wanted to write it all out to help me remember :)

Green eggs and ham. Oh how many times have we read that book here? Millions? Surely. I think your daughter (aged 1) might love any of the Margaret Wise Brown books. Our personal favorite was Big Red Barn. Because children's books are my absolute passion though, I'm going to throw out a couple more. If your daughter loves to look at faces (mine did) - I loved this book, Global Babies. It's a picture board book and the photography is stunning. My daughter also loved Touch and Feel books, have you guys tried those? And if she likes bright colors, my daughter loved Planting a Rainbow.

Can I throw out a few for later? Just because I love these books so much. A lesser known book that came to me by chance and became my favorite thing ever is Open Me, I'm a Dog by Art Spiegelman. Also, make sure that you get Janell Cannon's books, Verdi and Stellaluna as she gets older, especially if she is an animal lover. Stellaluna can be scary though, or at least it was for my daughter, so in a few years might be best. OH and we love the Alexander books.

My son is a wee bit obsessed with the Lego Movie, which is odd since we still haven't seen it. But he's wanting to read this novel about it for $4.61.

Mostly though, I wanted to talk about books. And kids. Because I love them both very much. Thanks for a great contest!

Jealosuy was certainly an issue. A lot of that was on me. When I was pregnant, I should have done a better job of doing more non-nursing stuff with LO. I read, had cuddle time, but, honestly, in those last few months, nursing was just easier!

We read books about the new baby and what to expect when she arrives. The Rachel Fuller one was my favorite. We also talked a lot about how big sisters share and how important it is that the baby get milk so she can grow and play.

What you could try is getting into a routine where you only nurse during certain times of the day and make that a habit now. The weeks after the baby are hectic and stressful for everyone, especially the new sibling so if they can fall back on habits that are comforting, it will help a lot!

The other thing you can do is find something he likes to do and start doing that right after nursing. Don't necessarily cut nursing short but start talking about the fun thing a few minutes into nursing so that he starts to build an association that "something fun happens when nursing ends"... good luck :)

My mum got this one for my daughter and I got her this one and she loves them. She will turn 3 years old 8 days after my due date. Both are regular reading right now and we've been talking to her about how her baby sister is going to need her to show her the world. Talking it up like it's an awesome thing to have a sibling, which I think it is, but letting her know that while things will change, our love won't change. She seems to be very excited about having a baby sister, talks to my stomach, giving hugs and kisses to my belly, but I am a bit concerned about what she'll think when the baby takes time away from her and the baby stays. A friend is having a baby girl 2 months before I am, our first girls are 3 months apart, and I'm hoping to show her what her friend is like with her baby sister and what it will be like with her own baby sister.

My daughter is 1.5, she doesnt talk, but she LOVES to read! I would love for her to have a special Christmas book that we can read on Christmas eve, like this bear book! My son is 6 months and we are starting sign with him and this book would be great for him! I think books are a great gifts, nice choice and thank you for the kind offer :)

You are not crazy, selfish, or mean. I'd be hella stressed right now, too. I agree with a ton of the advice here, particularly about who they're really angry at. It doesn't make it easier on you, but I agree that it's probably more about their son. I also like the list of boundaries someone else suggested.

I know you're dealing with a lot right now, but if you have a moment, could you explain this a bit more:

>thinking that my children need a dad or that a sperm donor is a dad is homophobic.

Is this just a matter of semantics here? ("Dad"= involved and present male figure involved in day to day care of children) My 4yo has been asking a ton about where babies come from and how babies are made. Among others, I like this book, What Makes a Baby? because it talks about how some people have different parts in their bodies necessary to make a baby and some don't, and it models all sorts of families in the illustrations. But egg and sperm are still part of the explanation. I want to give him fact-based information, and it never occurred to me that it might be homophobic to explain that babies are made from an egg cell (from a woman) and a sperm cell (from a man) and they grow into a baby in a uterus (in a woman). And some babies have families with two parents, some with one, some with grandparents, some with two moms, some with two dads, etc. So I guess my question is, is there a particular phrasing for this that is better or worse? Because the fact is your babies have a biological father and mother because they were made from sperm and egg(s), even if their family has two moms. And if my 4yo was asking about it, I'd probably say something like, "Cousin gave his sperm and mom gave her egg and OP gave her uterus to grow the babies. And OP and mom are their two mommies." Is there a better way to phrase that? Thanks!

And good luck with he crazy...it's really big of you to make the effort. With any luck, you all can come to a place of peace with this before your girls are old enough to be aware of the drama.

Books, books, books! My babies love(d) Look, Look! (three year old loves "reading" it to his brother), Black & White, Art Cards, the Babyfaces series (esp Hugs and Kisses and Smile!. The World Snacks series is also great; they're bright, (mostly) well-written, and not irritating. Plus, My toddler still loves them, and we started reading them to him when he was three months. I like Yum Yum Dim Sum and Let's Nosh! best. Indestructables are great for babies who eat books. And the Leslie Patricelli books have been a huge hit around here since toddlerdude was a wee baby.

Don't forget non-board books good for reading, such as a Mother Goose (there are also "chunky" ones that are kid-safe), Beatrix Potter, The Wind in the Willows, or even Shel Silverstein.

Toys for this age that I like are sensory balls, music makers, rattles (we had to buy two of those because wee babydude likes it so much), stackers, links, these bead things (a large, four-sided activity cube is gold for this age through toddler hood--like this), stacking cups, and baby's first blocks. We have veriations on all of these (or the exact one listed), and they are popular with both our three year old and the eight month old.

it's like you described my LO at that age! He loved just being plopped down on a towel on our carpet and would look around the room, coo, flail, etc. We got this book: https://www.amazon.com/Black-White-Tana-Hoban/dp/0061172111 and would prop it up around him (it stands on it's own as an accordian fold). He LOVVVEED looking at it. That might help with better focus/attention (again at that age, they get distracted by anything!) We got the skip hoptreetop nature playmat as well, though it was overwhelming to him at first. We put a plain blanket down over the 'playmat' part (to cut down on the patterns/colors, and only hung 2 toys overhead. That worked really well! He'd look and swat at things, but didn't actually grab anything until weeks later.

​

For feeding, I did lots of songs or talking to LO to keep him focused on ME, which helped him not get distracted. Using a boring chair/corner/white walls helps too. dimming lights for nighttime works great too.

​

for what its worth, my LO can recite the alphabet and numbers to 10 (gets a little messy on the way to 20-lol) at 15 months old. It's CRAZY how verbal he is. He's nosy about EVERYTHING, points at everything, repeats all the names we say of things, etc. He CAN however, focus very intently/well on something for 15-20 minutes at a time (and a youtube kids-songs video for about an hour at a time). Just keep an eye on LO's attention span, especially if you put super interesting things in front of him. If he really is antsy/can't focus on an activity (the book, for example) for more than 2 solid minutes, etc -- then bring it up with the ped.

​

EDIT to add: do you use an app like glow baby to track feeds/naps? that was really helpful to us to spot LO's natural "patterns" and reinforce them to help get onto a consistent schedule.

1. Everywhere Babies is excellent for birth through 18 or 24 months. It's a celebration of babies being loved (in rhyme), and so is loved by parents, and also toddlers.
   
   
2. Big Red Barn is a nice bedtime story as the animals go to sleep.
   
   
3. Then graduate to Going to Sleep on the Farm which has the same idea, but in much richer visual detail.
   
   
4. How Will We Get to the Beach is also nice. A mother is heading to the beach with her baby and several objects (umbrella, beach ball, etc.). On each page, Mom discovers her (ever-changing) mode of transportation won't do because it would mean leaving one of her things behind. For babies, it's a story. For toddlers, it's a memory game as you try to remember what's missing when Mom tries to get on the kayak, skateboard, hot air balloon, etc. There's also a tiny ladybug hidden on each page that older toddlers like to find.
   
   
5. Goodnight Gorilla is the first book that caused my daughter to laugh, due to the many voices given to the animals saying goodnight and the surprised sound I voice for the wife who realizes zoo animals are in her bedroom.
   
   
6. Morris the Moose has awesome humor for an older age child (3? 4? 5?) that is still quite good for adults, too.

We went through this recently - I had my baby a few weeks ago - and we told her when I was 12 weeks. SD was almost three when we told her and is now 3.5. We told BM first as a courtesy/heads up and then let her know once we told SD so she would be prepared. I highly recommend cluing in BM - it made the whole thing go so much easier and let BM know that we were considering her feelings and including her in the process, which led to some great dialog about concerns BM had about how to make sure SD was okay with the whole thing.

We had three “I’m a big sister” books on heavy rotation that SD still asks to read during bedtime. They were extremely helpful in getting her ready, and she had about six months to get used to the idea. We altered some of the words, like instead of “Mommy and Daddy say I’m special”, we would tack on my name or remove “mommy”. And we also altered the words to be relevant to our family - like one of them had a thing about painting the baby’s room, so we’d ask SD what color we painted our baby’s room. It’s not like she can read and doesn’t know the difference! We also explained that the baby would call me mommy. I don’t know if she totally gets how it works, but when she’s referring to the baby, she’ll say things like “baby says ‘mama I love you’” and just today told me I was a “good mommy”, so there’s that.

Kids her age are also veeeery into baby dolls and taking care of them, so my SD had quite a few baby dolls that we practiced with and talked about what was appropriate (gentle touches, kissing on the back of the head, etc.)


Links to the books we bought in order of favorite to least favorite (but we liked them all):

I’m a Big Sister by Joanna Cole https://www.amazon.com/dp/0061900621/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_1pIoDb4WBPJMR

I Am a Big Sister by Caroline Jayne Church https://www.amazon.com/dp/0545688981/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_CqIoDbQ1GB7VB

Waiting for Baby by Rachel Fuller https://www.amazon.com/dp/1846432758/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_arIoDb9D1CCZ7

Some of the best "playing" you can do right now is just put your face up to his and talk to him - he will get to know you and at this age they find faces super interesting. When they are that young, high contrast is great for development (black and white) - we bought a couple books like this for our daughter. After a couple months they respond well to bright colors. This toy was great - they back of the "feathers" are black and white patterns and then the front is very colorful. It was actually the first thing she "followed with her eyes." As hersheykiss7761 said, just enjoy your time with him, they get more fun every day!

Yay! Congratulations. I love children's books unabashedly. I'll limit myself to the 0-5ish age range, as you have some time for the rest.

First books:

• Goodnight Moon is pretty much recognized as one of the greatest children's books of all times.
  
• Black on White is great for very early infants. Did you know babies are color blind? They'll stare at this for a while, but outgrow its simplicity fairly quickly.
  
  Next, for narrative and fun!
  
  
• All of Sandra Boynton's books are great, but I'm partial to But Not the Hippopotamus
  
• Goldilocks and the Three Dinosaurs is so much fun.
  
• Don't let the pigeon drive the bus is great for when he learns to say "NO!" Actually, just check out Mo Willems at the library.
  
• I want my hat back is super enjoyable.
  
  Going into the children's section at the bookstore/library can be intimidating-- Dora and Elmo and Barney assault you at every turn, but there are some real gems in there. Look at Caldecott winners for glorious artwork and storytelling.
  
  Finally, try reading a book out loud to yourself. If it's taking forever or if you're getting bored, it's probably not worth trying to read it to a kid. I once got a three-year-old Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs, which is very text heavy. Poor choice.

Totally normal, but doesn't mean you have to encourage her babyish behavior. Help her see herself in the role of the "Big Cousin" and talk about all the things she can do that the baby can't (babies can't play on the playground, babies can't eat ice cream, etc). A book like The New Baby or How To Be A Baby might be good to read with her (changing "big sister" to "big cousin" of course). Snuggle the Baby is also a cool interactive board book that shows how to take care of a baby - might help reinforce her role as a "big helper" when the baby arrives.

Never too early to start! It's good for them to hear your voice and be exposed to lots of spoken language even if they can't focus on pages yet or show obvious interest.

During the potato stage, I read aloud whatever I was reading, read random children's books, and would also hold up high contrast picture books (like this). High contrast patterns are especially attractive to young babies because their vision isn't very good at first, and those were definitely the first ones she showed signs of interest in.

As she got able to grab stuff, we liked having some fabric/crinkly books, and the "indestructible" books like this are also great because they don't tear and can be washed.

For the most part, though, we just have regular board books. Stuff by Sandra Boynton are favorites in our house, as are the "touch and feel" kind. My baby is in the "must grab any available paper and try to eat it" stage, so non-board books with pages that can be torn are temporarily off the table for us, but I'm so excited for when she's old enough to handle those!

You don't need all the different kinds of books I mention, and most libraries also have board books in the children's section. Reading to your baby every day is one of the best things you can do for him, however you go about it.

Edit: Wow, that got long. Um, can you tell I like books?

Feminist Baby, the book listed at the bottom, is ADORABLE. My daughter is 20 months old and loves it, and I love the message it sends, that girls can be loud and messy and play with whatever they want. The last two pages are my favorites:

Feminist baby is as smart as she seems. Feminist baby can be whatever she dreams.

I honestly wouldn't worry about it. So what if she's confused? Little kids are confused about lots of things in life. It's part of being young.

When my daughter was about that age, she opened the bathroom door on me and her dad, just as we were enjoying some "private time", as it were.

She said, "What are you doing?"

I said, "Playing a game only grownups play. Please knock before you open the bathroom door, honey."

Then we went out and got hook and eye latches for both the bathroom and the bedroom doors. And that was the end of it!

Now, I did start the conversation about sex at this age, too, but it wasn't in response to her walking in on us. I didn't tie it to that incident at all. Five is just a really good age to start talking about, "Where do babies come from?"

"It's Not the Stork!" is a good first book: http://www.amazon.ca/dp/0763600474/ref=rdr_ext_tmb

Your librarian can probably help you find more.

We used this book from very early on (Baby Signs: A Baby-Sized Introduction to Speaking with Sign Language https://www.amazon.com/dp/0803731930/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_FGmUCb76SG89N) and it eventually caught on. I don’t remember exactly when little dude started signing back but it was super great that he was able to communicate his basic desires.

It also helped that we read to him every night since he was about 3 months old. It’s always been part of our routine and now he’s 3 years old and has a stellar vocabulary.

Tl:dr baby signs are cool. Get the board book and read it with baby as often as you can.

I read several to my oldest son when I was pregnant with his little brother. He was a bit older than your son (he was 3 by the time his brother was born) This was also about 7 years ago but here are some links.

I'm a Big Brother by Joanna Cole (She has a sister version too) http://www.amazon.com/Im-Big-Brother-Joanna-Cole/dp/0061900656/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1331570540&sr=8-1

The Berenstain Bears are always winners. http://www.amazon.com/The-Berenstain-Bears-New-Baby/dp/0394829085/ref=sr_1_17?ie=UTF8&qid=1331570681&sr=8-17

and I loved Peter's Chair by Ezra jack Keats. http://www.amazon.com/Peters-Chair-Picture-Puffins-Keats/dp/0140564411/ref=ntt_at_ep_dpt_2

These might be a little old for your son but if you go to amazon and type "big brother books" you get a whole list.

This is one book we enjoyed and this one was his favorite.

Good luck!

Some good advice for when the older kid meets the newborn is to have a photo of the older kid framed and already in the room before they get there, and get the older kid a present from the newborn that they get right away too. A new toy always keeps the kid occupied, at least for a bit.

These books are also good if you are going to have a Big Sister or a Big Brother in the house.
Good luck!

Um... wow. All I can say about this is that the author's an idiot, and I feel sorry for her children and their "delicate minds".

There is so much wrongness in this article, I don't even know where to begin. She lies to her children ("a tiny cut is made into the tummy" - even a planned c-section can't really be described as "tiny"). She confuses innocence with ignorance. And she assumes that merely knowing the facts of human reproduction is enough to incite small children to have sex with each other. Ew!

At this age, the subject of "where do babies come from" is fascinating to children. Simply addressing it honestly, truthfully, and scientifically is more than enough. If you're truly worried your six year old will try to "make babies" with the neighbour's little boy, then tell her about puberty and how you have to be physically all grown up to make babies. And, tell her that, in fact, getting pregnant too soon can damage a young person's body and make it impossible to have babies in the future.

Of course, any six year old who has spent any time with a REAL baby, doesn't want one of her own anyway. Six year olds aren't stupid. Or delicate.

Start preschoolers off with "It's Not the Stork": http://www.amazon.com/Its-Not-Stork-Families-Friends/dp/0763600474/ref=pd_bxgy_b_text_b

The sequel, "It's So Amazing" is for about ages 7 and up. Finally, "It's Perfectly Normal" is middle/high school fare.

A few tips: lots of people are going to be coming over to "congratulate him on being a big brother". anyone who brings baby gifts should know to bring "Big brother gifts" too. Make a big deal of how cool it is to be the big brother.

Do you read to your child daily? It's part of our bedtime routine and really helps with language development. Our first really enjoyed There's a Baby in There ... "http://www.amazon.com/Theres-There-Dandi-Daley-Mackall/dp/0761461914" and I'm a big brother (http://www.amazon.com/Im-Big-Brother-Joanna-Cole-ebook/dp/B00HLIZ0AE/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1415653703&sr=1-1&keywords=big+brother+book)

Personally, for procreation we're going to go with What Makes a Baby

Sex will be discussed as a different subject. I don't view "mouth on penis" as any more or less age appropriate for a seven year old than "penis in vagina." Both are sex. Teaching one before the other is to set up one as normal/healthy/acceptable and the other as deviant/dirty/less-than, which is not true. Both penetrative and non-penetrative sex can be lovely ways to express love, intimacy and pleasure.

This book would be awesome! Used is perfect, it's on my Under $5 WL,.

Thanks for the contest.

The book “It’s Not The Stork is amazing. I have it and it’s great - you can elaborate as needed with some sections too (additional text boxes). There are versions as kids get older too. But if it seems like it’s too much info to start with, Robie Harris (the author) has other books for younger kids just about body parts (“Who has what? ?”).

> She is only two years old so I don’t think she will really understand the difference between biological and the other father.

I agree, and honestly I don't think it's fair at this age to ask her to even try. It will probably freak her out to have some guy she's never met introduced as anything resembling a dad. She's at an age where a lot of kids are very, very attached to their parents, and often feel somewhat threatened by outsiders.

Not that my vote counts for anything, but if her parents are on board for it, I would vote for this:

(1) using a name that perhaps hints at a father role, so she'll eventually understand that, but doesn't mean that to her right now (for instance: maybe she calls her dad "daddy" and has never heard the word "papa"; maybe the OP here could be introduced as "Pops." If she doesn't know the word "papa," or if the OP and her parents are on board with "pops," then either of those options is true but not confusing to her now, so she can later figure it out/ask questions but also know that you guys always told the truth); and

(2) not trying to explain what their relationship is until she's older -- for instance, old enough to be interested in this book, which is probably the best book you guys or any other alternative family (donor egg/sperm, surrogacy, gay etc.) are going to find: https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/1609804856

Our favorite was Joanna Cole's I'm a Big Brother. It will be too young for your 5yo, but probably about right for your 3yo. The language is pretty simple, but it introduces the sorts of things babies do and don't do, and what big brother can do and how to treat the baby.

I had a baby book with signs.

It only has maybe 10 signs or so, but they are the most useful ones. Don't get too overwhelmed with learning tons of signs. I only used maybe 20, and that was still very useful!

At 1 month- 3 months my baby was mostly really into black and white images he could stare at while doing tummy time and laying on his back. Two books that were really good for this because they unfolded and/or stood up on their own well were Art For Baby and Black & White by Tana Hoban. He still likes them at 9 months too, especially as they were some of the first books he was able to manipulate well with his hands (better than all his other board books), so they a good investment.

My kids love Global Baby Girls (all the books in that series, really), Doc Like Mommy, and Grandma in Blue with Red Hat.

These are all books I read with my kiddos when they were very young. They're all simple board books perfect for babies and young toddlers. They're are a lot of other great books about diversity for older children as well, but those might be too complex for a baby or young toddler.

https://www.amazon.com/More-Said-Board-Caldecott-Collection/dp/0688156347/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1503326006&sr=8-1&keywords=more+more+more+said+the+baby

https://www.amazon.com/Everywhere-Babies-Susan-Meyers/dp/0152053158/ref=pd_sim_14_15?_encoding=UTF8&pd_rd_i=0152053158&pd_rd_r=03G4D8KHRQ81K252DW9M&pd_rd_w=M1K8i&pd_rd_wg=DajyG&psc=1&refRID=03G4D8KHRQ81K252DW9M

https://www.amazon.com/Snowy-Day-Board-Book/dp/0670867330/ref=pd_sim_14_42?_encoding=UTF8&pd_rd_i=0670867330&pd_rd_r=KF9GJMSGWKBA4TR0JR8M&pd_rd_w=bre80&pd_rd_wg=matKi&psc=1&refRID=KF9GJMSGWKBA4TR0JR8M

https://www.amazon.com/Please-Baby-Classic-Board-Books/dp/1416949119/ref=pd_sim_14_6?_encoding=UTF8&pd_rd_i=1416949119&pd_rd_r=7DG5ZZCV3HPNYHX4VC00&pd_rd_w=aeFFb&pd_rd_wg=1TMyj&psc=1&refRID=7DG5ZZCV3HPNYHX4VC00

https://www.amazon.com/Mama-Do-You-Love-Me/dp/0811821315/ref=pd_sim_14_33?_encoding=UTF8&pd_rd_i=0811821315&pd_rd_r=K0M5BEFZ3TZP0XJ5B3K8&pd_rd_w=TMMUN&pd_rd_wg=KBmnl&psc=1&refRID=K0M5BEFZ3TZP0XJ5B3K8

https://www.amazon.com/Here-Are-Hands-Bill-Martin/dp/0805059113/ref=pd_sim_14_24?_encoding=UTF8&pd_rd_i=0805059113&pd_rd_r=CP42F8A3YVB0CPGBFZXD&pd_rd_w=PGghS&pd_rd_wg=KOL6z&psc=1&refRID=CP42F8A3YVB0CPGBFZXD

https://www.amazon.com/Making-Faces-First-Book-Emotions/dp/1419723839/ref=pd_sim_14_23?_encoding=UTF8&pd_rd_i=1419723839&pd_rd_r=YJX929CFH2D0Q86GA0SA&pd_rd_w=POdwL&pd_rd_wg=5cPO4&psc=1&refRID=YJX929CFH2D0Q86GA0SA

https://www.amazon.com/Global-Babies-Fund-Children/dp/1580891748/ref=pd_sim_14_17?_encoding=UTF8&pd_rd_i=1580891748&pd_rd_r=JFYA8H7YCGH5KMJAAS8N&pd_rd_w=PWnxU&pd_rd_wg=AZqYt&psc=1&refRID=JFYA8H7YCGH5KMJAAS8N

My daughter was younger than your son when I was pregnant, so our books might be aimed a little younger. I thought What Baby Needs was pretty good though. Here is the page with breast/bottle to give you an idea.

My girl also favored her right side and didn't care for tummy time too much. We made sure to put all of her mobiles and toys and interesting things to look at like this book on her left side in her crib and pack 'n play to get her used to looking left. Now she doesn't automatically go right and is rounding out nicely.
As far as advice needed, my girl (3 months) has had a blocked tear duct since birth and her eye gets crazy goopy all the time. We're doing the warm compresses and massages but it doesn't seem to be working. Any tips?

Toddler recently claimed What Makes a Baby as his new favorite book. We get to the page in the book that talks about how babies grow in uteruses (uteri?), and that some people have uteruses but others don't. Toddler pondered for a minute and asked if I had a uterus, and I nodded. He asked if his O.Pa. (my partner) and Baby Sister also had uteruses, to which I also nodded. Toddler sat silently for a minute before throwing himself on the ground and wailing "BUT I WANT A UTERUS TOOOOOOO. THAT'S NOT FAAAAIIIIRRRR!!!"

Toddlers and FOMO, man. It's so intense.

Our favorites are the Daniel Tiger book based on a few episodes of the show, I'm a Big Brother, and Waiting

Waiting isn't directly about becoming a big sibling, but it's a good conversation starter.

Thanks for the suggestion. I bought it and amazon then suggested What Makes a Baby. Slow down there, amazon!

Fyi the book "what makes a baby" is really inclusive way to talk about bodies and babies. I just got it for my 4yo and she loves it (https://www.amazon.ca/dp/1609804856/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_awdb_t1_BIfIDbHGRP5JA)

We had our second around the two year mark and Pirate Pete was the favourite book of the time (exciting new things, focus on the child not the baby)
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Im-New-Big-Brother-Princess/dp/1409313743

But these days (age 5) the Osborn series of lift the flap books would be better received (i.e. whats happening inside) - Ive not read this one, but we have others from Osborn
https://www.amazon.co.uk/How-Babies-Made-Flip-Flaps/dp/0746025025/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_product_top?ie=UTF8

Note:
The Osborn book has been flagged for inappropriate language by one reviewer, to which I would say, "What world do you live in where you can skip the body parts that having a baby requires?".
Also, one review says the "See inside the body" book contains the same pictures, but ours does not cover pregnancy (but is a worthwhile book to buy in any case)

We read the "global babies" book at bedtime, and I think my 4 month old digs looking at all the bright colorful pictures of other babies.

https://www.amazon.com/Global-Babies-Fund-Children/dp/1580891748

I've heard that generally babies like looking at photographs of other babies. They also make a bedtime book in the same vein.

https://www.amazon.com/Global-Baby-Bedtimes-Maya-Ajmera/dp/1580897088/ref=pd_bxgy_14_img_3?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=CNAE9XH381WSCNC9T6TK

I found this board book covered the essentials really well!

https://www.amazon.com/Baby-Signs-Baby-Sized-Introduction-Speaking/dp/0803731930

I also taught him please and thank you because I wanted to build the habit early.

Please: with an open palm and 4 fingers together, rub your chest in a circle.

Thank you: with an open palm and 4 fingers together, touch fingers to chin and move away from chin almost like blowing a kiss but lower.

I think you should tell them there's a baby on the way as soon as possible! It will make the transition easier on them and be far less confusing.

As for the logistics of your child having a different bio-dad, you might want to try an inclusive picture book like What Makes a Baby.

do you still love this compelety unironic thing? https://www.amazon.com/Feminist-Baby-Loryn-Brantz/dp/1484778588

We love Snuggle the Baby

We like How Big is Our Baby

https://usbornebookbin.com/2019/07/22/how-big-is-our-baby-usborne-books-and-more/

Also, there is a Daniel Tiger book we like

https://www.amazon.com/Big-Brother-Daniel-Tigers-Neighborhood/dp/1481431722/ref=asc_df_1481431722_nodl/?tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=312041961788&hvpos=1o1&hvnetw=g&hvrand=3627429026642668438&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=m&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9014870&hvtargid=pla-446032712604&psc=1

And this one

I Am a Big Brother https://www.amazon.com/dp/0545688868/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_2U.JDbA6EKRXE

This one is good as well, we bought it for my son


https://www.amazon.com/Feminist-Baby-Loryn-Brantz/dp/1484778588

Our son will be 3 in November. We got these books a few months ago and he loved them. Our daughter is two weeks old now.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/1846432758

http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/1846432766

I've recommended it before, but I like What Makes a Baby? for these types of conversations. It gives you a framework for talking about nuts and bolts as well as the social aspects. It's very adaptable for just about any family configuration or way of coming into being (though I think there are better books out there for children adopted after infancy).

Agreed with the others who say it's better to talk about this from an early age so as to not give it undue weight. Things you don't talk about have a tendency to be seen by children as wrong or bad, when this situation really is not.

Yep!

1. I Am A Big Sister! book
   
   
2. Big Sister Doll
   
   
3. Big Sister Tool Kit
   
   
4. Sisters photo frame

This book was really helpful from a young age.

We read the book What Makes a Baby to our daughter. It describes in simple terms what an egg and sperm are. It uses real words like vagina and uterus. It doesn't go over how the sperm gets to the egg but our daughter has never asked after reading the book. It's recommended for ages 3-7.

What Makes a Baby https://www.amazon.com/dp/1609804856/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_J6vnxbD1X8GHP

What makes a baby by Cory Silverberg and Sex is a funny word by Cory Silverberg.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/1609804856/ref=aw_wl_ov_dp_1_5?colid=303D03EVSEHVR&coliid=I2RQFF256IARZ6

This has good reviews
https://www.amazon.co.uk/How-Babies-Made-Flip-Flaps/dp/0746025025

I bought my daughter the "I'm a big sister" version of this book, and it seems good so far.

"I'm a big brother" https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B00HLIZ0AE/ref=dp-kindle-redirect?_encoding=UTF8&btkr=1

This is my go to baby gift

https://www.amazon.com/Night-You-Were-Born/dp/0312601557/ref=sr_1_3?crid=3MTO709N8VXTR&keywords=on+the+night+you+were+born&qid=1558159143&s=gateway&sprefix=On+the+night%2Caps%2C1313&sr=8-3

More book recommendations... [What Baby Needs] (http://www.amazon.com/What-Needs-Sears-Children-Library/dp/0316788287/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1415666054&sr=1-1&keywords=what+baby+needs) by Dr. Sears (of Attachment Parenting fame/controversy) and [The New Baby] (http://www.amazon.com/New-Baby-Mercer-Mayer/dp/0307119424/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1415666100&sr=1-1&keywords=mercer+mayer+new+baby) by Mercer Mayer (of the Little Critter series).

On the night you were born. Love this book, makes me cry every single time.
http://www.amazon.com/On-Night-You-Were-Born/dp/0312601557

Half the story of a picture book is the pictures. Your book needs sidewalks full of people, something akin to the illustrations in Everywhere Babies.

Otherwise, the story seems a little too forced in its message. The illustrations need to be a pleasure to view, more full scenes, fewer standalone objects.

I swear with each kid those only gets worse. Be kind to yourself, rest when you can. Your 6 year old probably won't remember this. We got this book (and the rest in the series) Waiting for Baby https://www.amazon.com/dp/1846432758/ref=cm_sw_r_other_awd_QeY3wbHE3KDAZ and read it to our kids. It shows a pic of mom sleeping on the couch while dad and generic kid get dinner ready saying let's be quiet. We try to discuss growing a baby makes mama tired. Hope you get that "second tri" energy soon. I swear I didn't get mine until 31 weeks. Sigh

Black on White is a cute book for little ones.

I've "read" (there are no words) this book with a toddler class and then we used glue and pre-cut black construction paper to make shapes on white paper (like very simple tangrams).

We're getting my 3 year old these books : https://www.amazon.com/You-Were-First-Patricia-MacLachlan/dp/0316185337. https://www.amazon.com/Big-Brother-Caroline-Jayne-Church/dp/0545688868/ref=pd_bxgy_14_img_2?_encoding=UTF8&pd_rd_i=0545688868&pd_rd_r=e463bca1-e694-11e8-8744-d97de4b97d5c&pd_rd_w=MyqwB&pd_rd_wg=EpXxx&pf_rd_i=desktop-dp-sims&pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_p=6725dbd6-9917-451d-beba-16af7874e407&pf_rd_r=5PQB7WKGEGAZ1ARQFR0K&pf_rd_s=desktop-dp-sims&pf_rd_t=40701&psc=1&refRID=5PQB7WKGEGAZ1ARQFR0K

This reminds me of the children's book,
"On the Night You Were Born."

Waiting for Baby https://www.amazon.com/dp/1846432758?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share

I Am a Big Brother (they also have a big sister version, depending on the gender of your babe) https://www.amazon.com/dp/0545688868?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share

The New Baby https://www.amazon.com/dp/0307119424?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share

https://www.amazon.com/What-Makes-Baby-Cory-Silverberg/dp/1609804856

We got this one for our daughter: https://www.amazon.com/Big-Sister-Caroline-Jayne-Church/dp/0545688981

The book title is I'm a Big Sister and the chalkboard says: Reserved November 2016.

Yup, saw this at B&N yesterday.

You can also use the What Makes a Baby book.

These are currently prominently displayed at every B&N:

https://www.amazon.com/She-Persisted-American-Women-Changed/dp/1524741728

https://www.amazon.com/Youre-Going-March-Martha-Freeman/dp/1454929936

https://www.amazon.com/Feminist-Baby-Loryn-Brantz/dp/1484778588

The left = Nazi level propaganda