How to Share Books with Your Baby

You might feel a little silly reading "Goodnight Moon" to a 3-month-old who seems more interested in eating the book than listening to the story. But here's the thing: reading to babies, even tiny ones, is one of the most valuable things you can do for their brain development. And it doesn't have to look like traditional "reading"—at this age, it's really about sharing books together.

This guide will help you understand why early reading matters and how to make it work at every stage of your baby's first year.

Why Read to Babies?

Reading to babies builds brains. The research on this is remarkably consistent: AAP

Language development:

• Babies learn words by hearing them—a lot
• Even before understanding, babies absorb speech patterns
• The rhythm and tone of reading voice is uniquely beneficial
• Vocabulary exposure in infancy predicts later language skills

Brain architecture:

• Reading creates neural connections
• The back-and-forth of shared reading builds attachment pathways
• Books provide novel stimulation that promotes brain growth

Bonding:

• Shared reading creates closeness
• Your voice is your baby's favorite sound
• Holding baby during reading provides security
• Creates positive associations with books and learning

Future literacy:

• Early exposure to books predicts later reading success
• Children read to from infancy typically learn to read earlier and more easily
• Develops attention and focus skills

When to Start

The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends reading from birth. Yes, birth! AAP

Why so early?

• Newborns hear and respond to your voice
• Brain development is fastest in the first years
• You're not expecting comprehension—you're building habits and exposure
• Any time spent reading is time spent talking to baby

It's never too late:
If you haven't been reading to your baby, start today. The benefits accumulate over time, and any reading is better than none.

Reading to Newborns (0-3 Months)

At this age, "reading" looks different than you might expect: AAP

What babies can do:

• Hear your voice (their favorite sound)
• See high-contrast images close up
• Feel comforted by being held
• Absorb the rhythm and cadence of language

How to read:

• Hold baby close while reading
• Use your normal voice—or a slightly exaggerated, animated one
• Don't worry about finishing the book
• Point to pictures (even if baby isn't looking)
• Read anything—baby books, your novel, the newspaper

Best books:

• Black and white or high-contrast board books
• Simple images with clear outlines
• Books aren't required—your voice is the main benefit

Keep it brief:
Even a few minutes counts. If baby fusses, stop. This should be pleasant for both of you.

Reading to Older Babies (4-6 Months)

Baby becomes more engaged around this age: AAP

What babies can do:

• Focus on pictures
• Respond to your voice changes
• Reach for books
• Put books in mouth (this is normal!)
• Show excitement through kicking and wiggling

How to read:

• Point to pictures and name them
• Use animated voices for characters
• Let baby hold and explore the book
• Accept that book-eating is part of the process
• Follow baby's gaze and talk about what interests them

Best books:

• Board books (sturdy!)
• Books with bright, simple pictures
• Touch-and-feel textures
• Books with faces
• Lift-the-flap books (introduce toward 6 months)

Reading to Older Babies (7-12 Months)

Now things get interactive: AAP

What babies can do:

• Turn pages (with help, then alone)
• Point to pictures
• Respond to simple questions ("Where's the dog?")
• Show preferences for certain books
• Babble along while you read
• Imitate sounds and actions

How to read:

• Ask questions, even if baby can't answer yet
• Let baby point and respond to what they notice
• Do actions together (patting, waving, clapping)
• Make animal sounds
• Let baby turn pages (or try to)
• Read favorites over and over—repetition matters

Best books:

• Sturdy board books
• Books with flaps to lift
• Books with textures to touch
• Simple stories with repetitive text
• Books about babies, animals, everyday objects
• Books with songs or rhymes

Making Storytime Work

Find your rhythm:

• Pick times when baby is alert and content
• Before naps or bedtime often works well
• Don't force it when baby is hungry, tired, or fussy
• Even two minutes counts

Make it interactive:

• Use different voices for characters
• Make sounds (animal sounds, car sounds, etc.)
• Point and describe pictures
• Ask questions
• Respond to baby's babbles as if having a conversation

Embrace the chaos:

• Baby will want to eat books—that's okay
• Pages will get bent and torn—board books help
• Baby might lose interest quickly—that's normal
• You might not finish many books—also fine

Build routine:

• Reading before bed creates lasting positive associations
• Regular reading times help baby know what to expect
• Keep books accessible—basket in play area, stack by nursing chair

What to Read

At this age, it matters less what you read than that you read. But some books work better: AAP

Good choices:

• Board books (they will survive)
• Rhyming books (babies love rhythm)
• Books with repetitive text
• Books with clear, colorful pictures
• Books about routines (eating, sleeping, bath time)
• Books with faces and emotions
• Touch-and-feel books

Classic baby books:

• Goodnight Moon
• The Very Hungry Caterpillar
• Brown Bear, Brown Bear
• Pat the Bunny
• Where Is Baby's Belly Button?
• Dear Zoo

It's also fine to read:

• Your own books aloud
• Magazines
• Poems
• Whatever you're reading—they just want your voice

Common Concerns

"My baby just wants to eat the book."
This is developmentally appropriate! Babies explore everything with their mouths. Provide board books and let them mouth them—it's still valuable exposure to books.

"My baby won't sit still."
They don't need to. Read while baby plays on the floor near you. Read while baby is in your lap facing outward. Read during feeding. Movement is normal.

"My baby isn't interested."
Try different books, different times, different approaches. Some babies prefer being held facing out, some like touching textures, some prefer listening while doing something else. Keep offering.

"I feel silly reading to someone who doesn't understand."
Your baby understands more than you think—they recognize your voice, respond to your tone, and absorb language. Every word you say is building their brain.

"I'm tired and don't have time."
Even two minutes of reading matters. A quick book during diaper change, a few pages before bed. Quality matters more than quantity.

Beyond Books: Talk to Your Baby

Reading is one form of language exposure, but all talking counts: AAP

Narrate your day:

• "Now we're changing your diaper. Here comes the clean one!"
• "Look at the dog outside. He's brown and fluffy."
• "I'm making lunch. I'm cutting the apple."

Respond to babbles:

• When baby vocalizes, respond as if in conversation
• "Oh really? Tell me more about that!"
• This back-and-forth builds language pathways

Sing songs:

• Nursery rhymes
• Made-up songs about what you're doing
• Your favorite songs—baby doesn't judge

The Bottom Line

Reading to your baby, even from the earliest days, is one of the best investments you can make in their development. It doesn't need to be perfect, lengthy, or quiet:

Start early:

• From birth—or start today if you haven't begun
• Even newborns benefit from hearing your voice

Keep it simple:

• Two minutes counts
• Baby eating the book counts
• Not finishing the book counts

Make it interactive:

• Point, name, describe
• Use animated voices
• Respond to baby's cues

Build the habit:

• Regular storytime, even brief
• Books accessible throughout the house
• Make it pleasant for both of you

The goal isn't to raise an early reader—it's to build brain architecture, develop language, and create a child who associates books with warmth, closeness, and joy. Clara is here if you have questions about reading to your baby or language development!