Can a toddler tell if their mother is pregnant?
My wife is in the early stages of pregnancy with our second baby. Our daughter, who is 1 year and 5 months old, has been acting unusually cranky.
Some family members have mentioned that she's acting that way because she can tell her mommy is pregnant.
Is that possible?
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It is not likely your 1-year-old child comprehends that your wife will be having a baby and all that entails. However, it is possible that your behaviors have changed in some way that your child has picked up on. Is your wife struggling with morning sickness? What kinds of aspects of it are you discussing in front of your child assuming she won't understand what you are saying? It is likely she has picked up on changes that she doesn't understand and it is completely possible it is stressing her out. Then again, she could be teething - those molars are somethin' else!
Just to be sure. I'd suggest talking to her about the pregnancy. Use some picture books like, "Arthur's New Baby" to help her preview what having a baby in the house will be like and what her role as big sister will be. Since she is so young, she won't understand it all and will need a lot of time to process the information so read your books and talk about it with her often and don't get frustrated when she asks the same question 100 times it is just part of her process. Get her a new doll with diapers and a stroller and a bottle etc. And role play how baby will be cared for down to diaper changing and burping. The earlier you start, the less the shock when the baby really comes.
Deal with her behaviors with understanding. She isn't even two yet so none of it is pre-meditated. Her behavior may or may not have anything to do with your wife's pregnancy so just do the normal, making sure she is getting enough rest, food, activity and loving attention etc. And this too shall pass.
If by "6th sense" you mean "intuitive" then certainly. Kids are amazing at picking up on little signals, some you give out naturally and some you give in response to what they do.
Your actions and reactions will have certainly changed to some degree with this news. As a guess, I'd say she's noticed (probably unconsciously) that things have changed somehow but doesn't understand how or why. This uncertainty is bothering her and it reflects in her behavior. It's always the unknown that scares us the most.
And then it could be something completely unrelated. :-) Aren't kids fun?!?
I don't think it is possible for a 1 year and 5 month old baby to know if his mother is pregnant or not. He may be acting that way because of other reasons but not because your wife is getting pregnant. Better to observe your child's behavior and check what he actually needs. By the way, congratulations for your wife's second baby.
I believe the younger children can tell and its been proven by my youngest 4 yr old who was shaking my belly wks before I knew anything. Children are smarter than we are.......their spirits so loving and kind and brand new They are born blessed .....God does not make mistakes n we need to hang on their every word.
Um, I'm sure it is possible, but I don't really understand the point?
If your daughter is unusually cranky, I think it's better to investigate the more likely sources. Has her schedule been disrupted? Is she getting enough sleep? Is she teething/hurting? Are you spending quality time with her?
And, if your wife is pregnant, this may be changing your wife's level of crankiness which would then affect your daughter! So make sure your wife is as comfortable as possible, too.
I'm 6 wks pregnant and my 6,5, and 4 yr old told me the same thing.. they told me I was pregnant and and I took a test came out negative then I went to the doctor took a blood test came out positive. Children can just tell you things before you know them. My 4 yr old is cranky
My 2 year old son was the one who told me that I was pregnant when I didn't even know I can't explain how he knew but he sure did. He pointed at my belly and said baby he did that a few times a day I decided to get a pregnancy test and he was right I'm 7 weeks pregnant and still amazed.
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