The Best Bedtime Stories for your Babies

Our babies’ development is of paramount importance. We make it a point to find ways in aiding them with their progress. Reading aloud sweet bedtime stories to our babies is just one of those ways.

My kids have a sizable library due to their excessive love of books. Even when they were old enough to enjoy playing with their peers, they would choose their books instead of playing.

Reading aloud to our babies has great benefits and is strongly backed by science.

Studies have shown that when you read aloud bedtime stories (or any book for that matter) to your babies, it helps them develop their language and communication skills.

You might wish to read an excellent article about reading books to babies in Kids Health. You can be confident that you’ll be reading a thorough and well-written post because Dr. Elana Pearl Ben-Joseph, a pediatrician, also reviewed the content.

“Children are made readers on the laps of their parents.”

~Emilie Buchwald

The Benefits of Reading Bedtime Stories to your Babies

There are several awesome benefits of reading books to your little ones and the following are just a few of them:

Encourages imagination

A baby’s imagination can be stimulated by flipping through the vibrant pages of a picture book and taking in those intriguing drawings. That’s something we can both agree on.

I found this statement from a parenting website and I couldn’t help but nod, “A child with a good imagination is happier and more alert, better able to cope with life’s twists and turns, and more likely to grow into a well-adjusted, secure adult.”

Lengthens attention span

When a child is read to repeatedly at a young age, he becomes accustomed to it, which causes him to become more attentive.

Increases memory

A study suggests that exercising your brain, like reading books, is essential for brain health, especially when you get older.

The Fisher Center for Alzheimer’s Research Foundation found out through Dr. Robert S. Wilson that keeping your brain stimulated through mentally engaging tasks such as reading starting from childhood can help keep your memory and thinking skills intact.

Develops communication skills

Reading to our children can help them develop and expand their vocabulary. When they are read to frequently, they learn a wide range of words that will help them become better communicators in the future.

Strengthens emotional bond

Imagine sitting on a recliner with your baby on your lap. That’s a sweet and intimate moment you share with your child right there.

Now imagine doing it over and over again.

That, on its own, establishes a deeper connection with your baby. When a deeper connection is built, a stronger emotional bond will follow.

Improves motor skills

Allow your baby to turn the pages. It’s a great way to exercise the smaller muscles in his hands, enhancing his fine motor skills.

Nurtures a positive behavior

As your baby is still very little, you will only want to read books promoting positivity. Teach him right from wrong at an early age.

Introduce him to positive behavior, like reading this board book about kindness right here.

Inspires a love for reading

Babies tend to love the sound of words even before they recognize them printed on paper.

Reading can be as natural as talking or walking when started really early. So start them young and make reading a part of your babies’ lives now.

Related article: How to Trim your Baby’s Nails like a Pro

How to Pick the Best Bedtime Stories for your Babies

Choose bedtime stories (or any baby book) with vibrant illustrations that offer a beautiful language. A sweet and soothing rhyme can be such a delight to a baby.

The best books contain enticing poetry and beautiful pictures. They have a calming effect on younger children.

Best Bedtime Books That Are Worth The Splurge

Indulge your little goober not just with plenty of nighttime cuddles but also with good quality bedtime stories.

Here is a list of excellent books for sleep time my kids and I enjoy together. I hope you and your babies will soon consider these to be your favorite bedtime books.

• The Very Hungry Caterpillar
• The Going to Bed Book
• Goodnight Moon
• Ten Little Night Stars
• On the Night You were Born
• Goodnight, Goodnight Construction Site
• If Animals Kissed Good Night
• Snuggle Time Prayers
• God Bless You and Good Night
• I Prayed for You
• Sweet Dreams Lullaby
• Sleepyheads
• Night Night Farm
• The Good Night Train
• Pajama Time
• You’re My Little Snuggle Bear
• Night Night Truck

A Deeper Dive into each of these Bedtime Board Books:

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Related: Baby Bath Time [Essentials and Step-by-Step Guide]

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Related: First Few Weeks with a Newborn [Survival Guide]

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Below are a couple of new books you can add to your young readers’ collection. They may have been published recently, but they are great reads.

How to Get Free Bedtime Stories or Children’s Books

If you would rather get FREE children’s books, take time to check out Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library.

It is a program that sends free books to children from birth to age five within the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, and the Republic of Ireland.

You can check to see if you live near a participating community here and, if so, register your children. Every month, they mail books to your door (or post office box)! Isn’t it fantastic?

Related article: Newborn Baby Routine [+Free Printable Schedule]

How to Make Reading Bedtime Stories to your Babies Easy

• Always keep the read light and fun.
• Work on those facial expressions!
• Read in a singsong voice to keep your baby engaged.
• Emphasize the same sentence consistently, just like you would with a well-known song.
• Make amusing animal noises and sound effects while you read books featuring various animals.
• Touch the body parts described in a book while reading it to your baby so he can establish a link to them.

Final Words to Baby Bedtime Stories

Bedtime reading is one of the best ways to spend quality time with your young children.

I don’t know about you, but there is this feeling of security in me when I know that my kids will be good communicators and that their thinking skills will be preserved better just because I read to them since they were little. It’s just the sweetest way to end a long day!

So I urge you to include reading your baby’s favorite bedtime stories in your nighttime routine. It will all be worth it in the end.

Thank you for stopping by! You might want to check out some related articles about babies before you go.

Talk to you soon,

Can You Suggest Any Amazing Baby or Toddler Bedtime Books?

What are your little ones’ favorites? Please leave them in the comment section below and I will make sure to check them out! Don’t forget to share this with your friends as well. Happy reading with your baby, Mama!