Preparing Your Toddler for a New Baby
When I was pregnant with my second baby, it was surprisingly hard to find books I truly loved to help prepare my toddler for a new sibling. So many felt cheesy or just didn’t align with our family. As a newborn photographer and mom of two, I see just how significant the transition into a family of four truly can be. In our home, reading together is part of our everyday rhythm — and I knew I wanted meaningful stories to help my not-quite-two-year-old get ready to welcome her baby sister.
Preparing a toddler for a new baby can feel emotional and overwhelming, but the right books are one way to create space for connection, conversation, and excitement about becoming a big sibling.
Below are a few of our favorite big sibling books — along with images from a recent light and airy in-home newborn session with an East Bay family welcoming their second baby. There is something so special about documenting those first days at home as a family of four. In-home newborn photography allows everyone to relax in their own space, creating natural, heartfelt images that reflect this beautiful season of life.
Our Favorite Big Sibling Books
On Mother’s Lap A sweet story about how there is always room on mother’s lap.
Hello In There! A Big Sister’s Book of Waiting My daughter loved this one because of the flaps and the growing baby. (Same author as In My Heart: A Book of Feelings and also My Tree and Me: A Book of Seasons, which are both also loved here.)
You Were the First This one may have made me cry, it really pulled on my heart.
Little Miss, Big Sis A fun, easy to read story about the big news of becoming a big sister.
Wonderbly’s Me and My Big Sister / My Big Brother A personalized book where you can enter your children’s names, ages and even a photo. This book was read multiple times daily in my house and has a photo of my two girls in the front. I believe we bought it when my second was around 3 months old. The link gifts you $20 off.
Your baby book for your first! We read this every day when my second came. My first LOVED hearing about herself as a baby, seeing all of the photos and relating it back to what “her baby” was doing.
Siblings Without Rivalry A great read for parents. I have read this twice and can see myself reading this again in the future as a refresher. It is related to How to Talk so Little Kids Will Listen: A Survival Guide to Life with Children 2-7.
*This post contains affiliate links, which means I will earn a small commission if you purchase through my links at no extra cost to you.
In-Home Newborn Photography Session in Alameda, East Bay Area
As a newborn photographer serving East Bay and San Francisco Bay Area families, I specialize in light-filled, organic sessions that capture genuine connection — especially those tender moments between a new baby and their proud big sibling.
New to booking a Bay Area newborn session? The complete guide to in-home newborn photography covers everything — timing, what to expect, how to prepare your home, and more.
If you’re expecting and looking for a San Francisco or East Bay in-home newborn photographer, I would love to help you preserve these fleeting first days. Learn how to make a newborn session with a toddler successful and other resources I recommend for expecting mothers.
East Bay Newborn Photography
Rebecca Pattison is a lifestyle family, maternity, and newborn photographer based in Alameda, California, serving the greater Bay Area including the East Bay, San Francisco, Marin County, and the Peninsula.
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