You can start reading to your baby from the very first weeks. They won't follow the story, of course, but they'll hear your voice, look at the pictures and start to connect books with closeness and calm. The American Academy of Pediatrics encourages parents to read aloud with their children from infancy.
Why read to a baby who can't understand yet?
- Language: babies learn words by hearing lots of them, and books use words we don't say every day.
- Bonding: reading means snuggling close and paying attention to each other.
- Routine: a book at bedtime becomes a signal that sleep is coming.
- Habit: babies who see books every day grow into toddlers who reach for them.
What to read at each age
0 to 3 months
High-contrast black-and-white books, simple faces and gentle rhymes. It's your voice that matters, so it's fine to read whatever you're reading aloud.
4 to 6 months
Soft cloth books and board books they can hold and, yes, mouth. Bright pictures and textures are a hit.
6 to 12 months
Board books with photos of babies, animals and everyday objects. Lift-the-flap and touch-and-feel books keep little hands busy.
1 to 2 years
Short stories with repetition and rhythm, and books they can "read" along with by pointing and naming.
2 to 3 years
Simple stories with a beginning, middle and end, and books about their own world, like the bath, the park and bedtime.
How to read to a baby
- Keep it short. A few pages is a win. Stop when they lose interest.
- Talk about the pictures instead of reading every word.
- Use voices and sounds, like animal noises and silly voices.
- Let them lead. Turning pages, chewing corners and going back to the same page are all part of it.
- Read the same books again and again. Repetition is how babies learn.
Make books easy to reach
Babies and toddlers pick books by their covers, so show the covers. Clear wall ledges like the Aspen picture book shelves hold books face out and off the floor. Mount them away from the crib and changing table. Once your baby is crawling and pulling up, a low, freestanding rack like the Alder book rack puts books at their height. It's under 14 inches tall, with fabric slings on both sides.
Build it into the day
- One book after a morning feed
- A book in the diaper bag for waiting rooms
- Two or three at bedtime
Our toddler bedtime routine shows how books fit into winding down.
Questions parents ask
When should I start reading to my baby?
From birth. Your voice and closeness are what matter most in the early months.
How long should I read to my baby?
A few minutes is plenty. Follow your baby's cues and stop when they lose interest.
Is it OK if my baby chews books?
Yes, it's how they explore. Choose sturdy board or cloth books at this age.
Shopping for shelves? Read how to choose a kids bookshelf.
Setting up a book corner? See reading nook ideas and how to organize kids' books.
