If Mummy Pig’s pregnancy has your toddler asking questions, here’s how to answer them

Toddlers are naturally inquisitive, always wanting to know the hows and whys of life. So when Peppa Pig’s mum announced she was pregnant, it’s understandable that your little ones might have had questions.

Appearing on Good Morning Britain in an interview with Richard Arnold, Mummy Pig had parents in living rooms nationwide scratching their heads.

‘I’m excited to share that our family is getting even bigger because we’re having another baby,’ the animated character told the broadcaster.

Holding up an ultrasound, she then confirmed that the piglet is due in summer.

With Peppa Pig watched and adored by millions of children, the unexpected expansion of the family could lead them to seek details about where babies come from and how they’re made — big topics to explain to a little person.

So in the hope of avoiding awkwardness or confusion, we’ve enlisted a parenting expert to give you the right answers to their questions.

‘Where do babies come from?’

It’s the question most parents dread having to answer, but with Mummy Pig expecting, it could come up sooner than you think.

Heidi Skudder, founder of Positively Parenthood and author of Your Positive Baby Sleep Book, tells Metro: ‘How you approach this, and also what you believe to be the “right” way of communicating with your child, will depend on their age.

‘Whereas these subjects used to be extremely taboo in previous generations, parents today are prompted by experts to be more honest with their children.’

According to Heidi, for small toddlers or children of early school age, you can start by describing the idea of an egg coming from mummy meeting a sperm from daddy, without divulging further details.

It’s likely your child will then move on from the subject rather swiftly without seeking a more in-depth response.

If they’re slightly older, you can get to grips with the classic birds and bees.

Heidi, who will be an expert speaker at The Baby Show in London Excel next month, urges parents to call body parts by their correct names to ensure safer and healthier discourse around biology.

‘Don’t be shy to describe and use words like vagina if you need to!’ Heidi notes.

You might also wish to seek information from external resources, such as books, depending on what your child will understand best.Ultimately though, their greatest education on this subject will come from you.

‘The more honest and open you are about it, the more likely they are to come to you when they are older,’ adds Heidi.

‘How are babies born?‘

How human babies are born might not be quite the same as a piglet, but your child might still wish to know.

‘Talking about birth is a huge topic, especially for children who can understand the concept of a pregnancy but can be confused about how the baby will come out,’ Heidi says.

Similarly to addressing how babies come to exist in the first place, you should continue describing body parts with their actual names and be as honest as possible.

Again, this is age-dependent and you will know your child best — including when to soften the details depending on what’s appropriate.

‘I would suggest though, that you reassure your child that Mummy will be actually fine,’ continues Heidi. ‘Spare them the details of any pain or discomfort just for now – as we don’t want the baby associated with causing Mummy any discomfort.’

Should your child be in a position where they’re likely to witness a birth, such as a home birth, Heidi suggests showing them videos online. But while it may go without saying, ensure you view these beforehand and censor any segments that might appear ‘scary’.

‘Will I have a new brother or sister too?‘

Peppa Pig likely feels a part of many families, given how many are raised bearing witness to her antics.

And should your child ask whether a new piglet means they will be getting a new sibling too, it should be a more straightforward question to answer than the others.