Helping your little one to understand their impending new role as a big brother or sister can be a challenge.
A new arrival means a significant change in family dynamics. If your toddler is transitioning from being an only child to having to share their physical and emotional space with a tiny and demanding creature, you can expect a bumpy time of it - excuse the pun.
Reading together about having a new baby in the house is a great way to help your smallie gradually understand what's going to happen when baba is born and what changes they can expect.
Here are five great books that might help make the promotion to big bro or sis a little easier...
1. Topsy and Tim: The New Baby 
Written by Jean Adamson and illustrated by Belinda Worsley. This book from the classic book series (and now popular live-action tv series) follows the story of the twins' friend Tony Welch, who has a new baby brother called Jack. Poor Tony is a bit jealous of the new baby at first, but he soon learns how to be a super-helpful big brother. Touching on important feelings of jealousy in older siblings, this book also gets extra bonus points for its no-fuss representation of breastfeeding.
2. Waiting for Baby
A charming board book illustrated by Rachel Fuller, Waiting for Baby features simple text and colourful illustrations perfect for younger children awaiting a new sibling. Designed to spark conversation about all things new baby, it also features illustrations of breastfeeding and baby wearing.
3. Becoming a Big Brother or Sister: A New Baby Book for Siblings
Penned by author and maternity nurse Darlene Stango, with humorous illustrations by Rose Holtermann, this book feels fresh and contemporary. Stango reassures expectant siblings that they will experience lots of different feelings, both positive and negative, but reminds them that the not-good feelings will pass with time.
4. There's A House Inside My Mummy
Touching rhyming text such as "There's a house inside my Mummy, where my little brother grows, or maybe it's my little sister - no-one really knows...", makes this an adorable book for soon to be big brothers and sisters. It also helps young children to empathise with mum, who may well be feeling as big as a house.
5. The New Small Person
This book, from the hugely talented author and illustrator Lauren Child about the arrival of a new sibling, is bound to be a hit with your little one. Kids will immediately feel for Elmore Green who is rather dismayed when a new baby comes to live in his house and wants to share all his toys. Lauren's signature style artwork and accessible language make this laugh-out-loud social story a winner.
