Following questions like How did the baby get in your tummy? Does the baby grow in your tummy? You might also be asked How does the baby get born? Does it hurt? The questions can come up when there is a pregnancy in the family, or when the child meets or sees a pregnant woman. Or maybe because they are curious about themselves.
If your child wants to know more about pregnancy or birth check go to the Talking about section and look for more support to have more detailed conversations about sex, pregnancy and birth, depending on the age of your child.
3, 4 and 5-year-olds
We offer this suggestion for the very young child with questions.
The baby grows in the mummy’s tummy in a safe place called the womb. The baby is very cosy and safe there. When the baby is ready to be born it comes out of the mummy’s vulva. Some babies come out of the tummy, a doctor helps with this. When a baby is being born special nurse called a midwife will help make sure the mummy and the baby are safe and well.
6, 7 and 8-year-olds
For children this age:
A baby lives and grows inside the mummy’s womb for 9 months. The baby is very cosy and safe there. When the baby is ready to be born the mummy feels some pains in her tummy, and she feels the need to push down so that the baby can come out. When the baby is ready to be born it comes out of the mummy’s vulva. A special nurse called a midwife will help make sure the mummy and the baby are safe and well. Some babies get help from the doctor to come out of the mummy’s tummy. The mummy will be very tired after all this effort. And the baby will cry as it leaves the cosy womb and enters the world.
9 and 10-year-olds
11 and 12 year-olds
For children this age:
After 9 months of being safe and cosy inside the womb it is time for the baby to be born. Some babies are born in hospital. Some babies are born at home. The baby’s dad, mum’s partner or friend or other family member can be there to help and support the mum. A special nurse called a midwife will help make sure the mummy and the baby are safe and well.
When it is time to be born, the baby changes its position so that the head is downwards getting ready to come out. The woman feels some pains in her tummy, and she feels the need to push down so that the baby can come out. The baby comes down from the womb and it comes out of the woman’s vagina. This might take a few hours to happen. Some babies need to come out of the mum’s tummy and the doctor will make a cut in the mum’s belly so the baby can come out. This is called a caesarean section.
The woman will be very tired after all this effort. And the baby will cry as it leaves the cosy womb and enters the world. Remember that the baby feeds through the umbilical cord? Well, this is cut (it’s not sore) and then the baby is separate from the mum. This leaves you with your belly button!
13, 14 and 15 year-olds
16, 17 and 18 year-olds
A teenager might be interested in this but ask the question in a more sophisticated way. The earlier information is still good for a teenager to hear.
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