Throughout my schooling, I was taught by our school librarian (a very soft-spoken, most graceful, and much respected kind teacher) that BOOKS ARE LIFELONG FRIENDS. A child who carries a book does not need anyone else to accompany. Now, what greater reason can there be to – WHY YOU SHOULD READ TO YOUR BABY DAILY?

There is nothing more thrilling than when one is immersed in a book.
It’s like when you read you enter your own sweet bubble that holds you charmed and captivated as words, feelings, and characters leap right in front of your eyes. It is such a thrill to see them dash into the woods and swoop up in the air to land back into your trustworthy hands. That is the beauty of reading. It’s all so true! But there is more that I learned only recently after I had my baby girl, Pihu.
A little back story :
- When friends and family get to know that I BEGAN READING TO MY BABY FROM THE TIME SHE LAY SNUGGLED SOFTLY IN MY TUMMY, I am met with sheer surprise and an unbelievable fascination.
- I remember when I had ordered the first set of books for my little one (which I vaguely remember was when I neared six months into pregnancy) everyone at home looked at me puzzled, blaming my pregnancy hormones for playing with my mind.
- After all, how could a baby hear from inside mummy’s belly, pfft!

Well, to speak factually, babies in the womb begin to hear sound nearing EIGHTEEN WEEKS OF PREGNANCY!
This means by the END OF THE FOURTH MONTH INTO PREGNANCY YOUR BABY CAN HEAR! When I found out about this pregnancy fact I felt very excited that I must get into building my little one’s library and so, I got to work.
(If you want to hear more about her library, do drop in a comment and I’ll tag you when I post an update on this.)
Why You Should Read To Your Baby Daily?
- When you are reading to your mini-me (inside or outside the belly) you are not just showing the pages of the book, you are handing down the gift of sight, to look beyond and within.
- It teaches them the difference between right and wrong, what’s the correct path, and how a decision affects one and all.
- Your baby can practice identification, colors, counting, sounds, and feelings by just reading a book.
- It boosts the formation of your baby’s voice, and you can forget ever worrying about speech delay, mama.
A child who reads is a child who sees.
– aabhie

With every bedtime story, you imbibe the sincerest of values in your newborn.
- Values that will be carried forth for generations and generations.
- You offer your undivided attention, you comfort your little baby with the warmth of your soothing voice. All of which help to calm your baby.
- Reading is thus a very useful tool to boost the mama and baby bond.
- Also helpful to set a healthy bedtime routine.

Believe me, once reading develops as a habit for your little baby (which takes time and preservence, please don’t think it will happen in just a week, you must give it at least a month to see any difference in your child’s behavior), you will be amazed how easily your tiny person will pick up new words.
I remember how surprised I felt the day Pihu said Ouch! when she fell and landed on her bum. Clearly she had picked it from me or from some book that I read to her.
Such monkeys!
– aabhie
What more can you want? There is more.

Can you believe it reading helps babies form an opinion? An opinion at such a young age?
A rather strong one in fact and that is what I aspire for my Pihu. I hope she becomes every bit of a person she was made to be.
Fascinating, isn’t it?
Well, there are many more answers to why you should read to your baby daily which I will continuously talk about in our Book Recommendation Collection!
Some handy Parenting Tips for when building your little one’s library:
- Introduce your baby with a variety of different books like –
– Board Books
– Bath Books
– Cloth Books/ Rag Books
– Touch & Feel Board Books
– Lift The Flap Board Books - Board books/ Bath books and Cloth books are the perfect choices for hands that don’t know how to grip objects. Also, it is unlikely these books will be destroyed before your babe’s first birthday!
- Go for books that are suitable for different times of your baby’s day like-
– Keep one for day reading, which should stay by your baby’s side all throughout the day. The book shall come handy as a teether or boredom breaker and even ice breaker when folks visit.
– Have one for bath times. Some babies absolutely despise bath times. A bath book is a cheap save in such situations.
– One for nighttime reading that can assist you to fix a gentle sleep routine for your baby.

So, tell me have you guys begun reading to your babe? Since when? Name their favorite book so that we can add it to our library too.
Do comment 🙂 And if you haven’t subscribed to our blog, just do so right away!