You probably know that reading to babies is important, and you may have heard that starting earlier is better. But if you’ve ever felt a little silly reading aloud to a baby, you’re not alone. Many parents question whether their baby is too young to enjoy a story. However, reading to your little one has countless benefits, even in those early months.
Beyond Words
We often hear about the benefits of reading with a newborn for language and communication development, but the truth is, reading with your baby offers so much more.
Visual Stimulation
Newborns’ vision is not fully developed at birth. They perceive the world as blurry and primarily in shades of black, white, and gray because the cones in their retina, which are responsible for color vision, are still maturing. Reading can help the maturation process. Do it by selecting books that contain high-contrast images. This visual engagement supports the development of their eyesight by stimulating the brain’s visual pathways.
Building Bonds
Beyond the words on the page, it’s the act of reading aloud, your voice, your touch, your presence, that offers your baby a deep sense of security and comfort.
For a newborn, the world is new and sometimes overwhelming, filled with unfamiliar sights and sounds. However, one constant that brings them comfort is the soothing sound of a parent’s voice. Your baby has been hearing your voice since before birth, and even though they can’t yet understand words, they find calmness in the rhythm and tone of your speech.
Holding them in your arms or engaging in skin-to-skin contact, while reading, allows them to also experience the warmth of your body and the rise and fall of your chest. This shared physical closeness helps your baby feel safe and nurtured, enhancing the positive emotional impact of reading.
The Power of Routine
In the early weeks, babies often have irregular sleep patterns and don’t yet grasp the cycle of day and night, which can leave parents struggling with nighttime wakefulness. One effective way to help newborns begin to differentiate between these two distinct times of the day is by incorporating reading into their daily routine.
Making reading a regular activity in the day, can help set a clear distinction between daytime and nighttime, promoting better sleep and a more structured routine for both baby and parents. While your baby won’t yet recognize the images, the stimulation can signal that it’s daytime and time for alertness and play. Use a lively and expressive tone when reading, encouraging interaction through gentle talking or singing. Additionally, reading during skin-to-skin time can provide soothing comfort, helping to signal bedtime as a calming ritual. This way, reading becomes a versatile tool that supports both play and relaxation.
Daytime reading can be an exciting and active experience for your newborn, helping them understand that it’s a time to be awake and engaged.
Keep in mind that newborns have short attention spans, between 2 to 5 minutes. Focus on individual pages or images that catch their interest, and don’t hesitate to explore bits of stories you love, not just children’s books.
Rethinking Ways of Reading
Reading to your newborn doesn’t have to be just soldering them and reading in a traditional way. Here are some alternatives to create engaging reading experiences together:
- Tummy time reading: During tummy time, position yourself face-to-face with your baby and hold a book in front of them. This encourages them to lift their head, strengthening their neck muscles.
- Cradle time: Hold your baby close to your chest, mimicking the womb experience. This closeness allows your little one to feel your heartbeat while seeing your facial expressions, which they can focus on from 8-12 inches away.
- Skin-to-skin storytime: Lie down with your newborn on your chest in the warmth of your home, allowing for a naked body-to-naked body connection. This intimate setting allows you to read while your baby feels the warmth of your skin, promoting relaxation and connection.
- Bath time stories: Introduce waterproof or cloth books during bath time. The combination of your voice, the warmth of the water, and the tactile sensations creates a soothing bonding moment.
Start reading to your baby as early as possible to bond and support their development; for more tips on how to make the most of this special time, watch this video.
Book Recommendations
Here’s a selection of books for newborns that can help you get started in this reading journey:
- “Baby’s Very First Black and White Little Library” by Stella Baggott: several black-and-white books that are perfect for capturing your newborn’s attention and stimulating their vision.
- “Faces: Baby Touch First Focus” by Ladybird: introduces various faces, along with a mirror at the end, allowing your little one to recognize their own reflection while enjoying high-contrast visuals.
- “Baby’s Very First Cloth Book: Faces Rag Book” by Campbell Books: provides a sensory experience for your newborn, promoting motor skills and visual engagement.
You can read anything you enjoy to your newborn—whether it’s a novel, magazine, or children’s book. The content matters less than the warmth, rhythm, and tone of your voice, which enhances bonding and supports your baby’s development.
Happy reading!
