Reading to your baby while they’re in the womb will help you to form a closer bond before birth. Your baby will become more familiar with the sound of your voice, which can help to keep them calm, relaxed, and happy. Reading to your baby in the womb can even encourage them to move from an awkward position, which will help to make both of you more comfortable!
There are even some studies that suggest that reading to your baby in the womb can promote brain activity, which can support their early language development. However, it seems unlikely that reading to your baby in the womb can make them “smarter”, so don’t make this your reason to read. Instead, treat it as a bonding exercise – an opportunity to connect that will help the pair of you feel more relaxed.
As soon as you like! But it’s important to note that babies won’t start hearing sounds until they’re 18 weeks. And they won’t respond to any voices or noises until week 25 or 26. So if you want to read to your baby in the womb, the second and third trimester are good times to start.
By the third trimester, a baby’s heart rate might increase when they hear their mother’s voice. This suggests that they’re more alert and attentive when they hear you speak.
As the baby’s responding to the sound of your voice, rather than the content of what you’re reading, then in theory you can read anything to your baby in the womb and feel that connection. However, your baby might find simple stories with lots of sibilance, repetition, rhymes, and alliteration a lot more soothing.
Also, you might have more of an emotional response if you choose a book about babies and their mums, which will only deepen your bond with your unborn baby.
We’ve been browsing blogs by mums from across the world, to see what sort of books they recommend to read to babies in the womb. Let’s take a look at some of their picks.
A beautifully written and illustrated book in which the author discusses the characteristics and values they hope their children will adopt, with lots of lovely lessons from the animal kingdom.
Find I Wish For You on Amazon.
In which a mum-to-be talks excitedly about the many wonderful things they want to show their children once they’re born. You’ll respond to the message, and your baby will respond to the highly rhythmic nature of the poem.
Find Can’t Wait to Show You: A Celebration for Mothers to Be on Amazon.
This has been a beloved book for children across the world for decades now. Your baby can enjoy the simple and repetitive text, while you can enjoy the sumptuous pictures of food, and the wonderful idea that small things only get bigger and beautiful with age. Then, once your baby’s born, they’ll eventually be able to treasure the book in a whole new way.
Find The Very Hungry Caterpillar on Amazon.
An inspirational book that’s all about a child’s potential. It’s written in rhyme, so you’ll have great fun reading it aloud. And the delicate illustrations will put you at ease – which in turn will help soothe your baby.
Find The Wonderful Things You Will Be on Amazon.
Dr Seuss wrote his children’s books using as few words as possible, and he took care to ensure that every word he used was short, simple, and easy to understand. With its funny story and great use of rhymes, Green Eggs and Ham is as fun to read as it is to listen to. And just like The Very Hungry Caterpillar, it’s one your baby will cherish for years to come.
Find Green Eggs and Ham on Amazon.
As well as reading to your baby in the womb, you could also sing to them. And what better thing to sing than a nursery rhyme? Nursery rhymes have stood the test of time because they’re fun to sing and easy to remember, and you’ll find loads of collections everywhere you look.
Find all sorts of nursery rhymes on Amazon.
You’ll find loads of guides on our Real Parenting blog to help you with many aspects of pregnancy, birth, and the first few weeks, months and years of your baby’s life:
We also stock a range of comfortable, effective, and eco-friendly baby products, including reusable nappies, breast pads, and postpartum pads.
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