Are you wondering about the best ways to bond with your baby even before the first cuddle?
As a fellow mom of two, I vividly remember the anticipation and excitement of pregnancy. That’s why I’ve poured my heart into discovering the magic of connecting with my baby in the womb through the power of words.
In this enchanting journey of motherhood, one thing that often tugs at our hearts is the desire to provide the best for our little ones right from the start. This is where the wonderful world of reading books to the baby in the womb comes into play.
Here are 16 lovely books to get started. Each of these books can help stimulate a baby’s brain and introduce new words and concepts. Plus, they’re adorable and easy to read!
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Benefits of reading books to your baby in the womb
Although it may seem like a simple act, reading aloud to an unborn baby can have a number of benefits.
- It can help to stimulate the development of the baby’s brain – Studies have shown that exposure to language in utero can speed up the process of language acquisition after birth.
- Reading aloud can help to create a bond between parent and child – The sound of the parent’s voice is soothing and familiar, and it can help the developing baby to feel safe and secure.
I’ve always had a habit of reading before bed so when I found out I was pregnant, I incorporated reading children’s books aloud into my bedtime routine.
Below are some of my favorite books and short stories to read to my pregnant belly. Not only are the illustrations stunning but the words are so beautiful. I feel so much love and courage reading these children’s books to my baby in womb.
So grab a book and get comfortable – you and your little one are in for a treat.
16 Best Books To Read To Baby In Womb
On The Night You Were Born
On The Night You Were Born is the perfect book to give parents words to say what they feel about their children. It is short but not too short and has a nice storytime rhythm.
Nancy Tillman’s masterpiece is a beautiful tribute to the uniqueness of every child. Here is a book that celebrates the one and only ever you!
The Wonderful Things You Will Be
The Wonderful Things You Will Be has a loving and truthful message that will endure for lifetimes and makes a wonderful book to read to your baby in the womb.
From brave and bold to creative and clever, Emily Winfield Martin’s rhythmic rhyme expresses all the loving things that parents think of when they look at their children. With beautiful, lush illustrations and a stunning gatefold that opens at the end, this is a book I used to read while pregnant and is now one of my kids’ favorite books too.
Maybe
Maybe is a story about the endless potential in all of us. Written by New York Times best-selling author Kobi Yamada, this is a story about everything you will do and everything you can be. You’ll feel empowered reading this book. It’s about purpose and potential, with a touch of magic and realness. It’s the book every child should hear.
I Wish You More
I Wish You More is an exuberant, inspirational book for kids of endless good wishes. Wishes for curiosity and wonder, for friendship and strength, laughter and peace. Whether celebrating life’s joyous milestones, sharing words of encouragement, or observing the wonder of everyday moments, this sweet and uplifting book is perfect for wishers of every age. This book of wishes is sure to bring positivity to all who read it.
If Animals Kissed Good Night
If Animals Kissed Good Night is a bestselling story that imagines how animals would kiss their loved ones good night. The story is cute, the rhymes and rhythm of the book flow beautifully and the illustrations are gorgeous.
Definitely a great book to read to baby in womb and as part of your pregnancy bedtime routine.
I Love You To The Moon And Back
I Love You To The Moon And Back has a sweet, gentle rhyme, perfect for reading aloud to your baby in the womb.
The illustrations complement nicely the heart-melting verses. The message is clearly delivered about the unconditional love a parent gives to her child. This cute board book also includes a “To” and “From” personalization page on the front of the book.
Be Brave Little One
Celebrate the courage and bravery in every child with Be Brave Little One. This makes a great book to read in utero as you affirm to your baby how bravery can show up in different ways!
Tiny T. Rex and The Very Dark Dark
Tiny T-Rex And The Very Dark Dark is one of my favorite books to read while pregnant with Baby W. Tiny the T-Rex may be a small dino in a BIG world, but that won’t stop him from making friends, conquering his fears, and stomping his way into your heart. This is a great book read to your baby as the womb isn’t so dark after all!
Be You!
Discover a joyful reminder of the ways that every child is unique and special, from the beloved creator and New York Times bestseller, Peter Reynolds. While you read Be You! to your baby, it will remind them to be patient, persistent, and true. Because there is one, and only one, YOU.
I Wish You Happiness
I Wish You Happiness is a warm hug of a picture book wishing all children happy, fulfilled, and meaningful lives. The story and inspiring wishes are absolutely gorgeous and the illustrations are stunning! Not to mention that this book has won many awards including the Mom’s Choice Awards® GOLD Award and 2021 Readers’ Favorite Book Awards GOLD MEDAL WINNER.
God Gave Us You
God Gave Us You provides a valuable opportunity to assure that your baby is a welcomed, precious, and treasured gift from the Lord. It perfectly illustrates the journey, love, and anticipation of having a baby. Reading this beautiful book will surely make you and your baby feel loved.
I Will Always Be Proud Of You
I Will Always Be Proud Of You is a timeless story that empowers children to be the best they can be. It explores the many wonderful possibilities in life and reassures children that they will be loved unconditionally whatever they choose to be.
The inspirational story is beautifully illustrated with diverse and inclusive characters.
Wherever You Are: My Love Will Find You
Wherever You Are: My Love Will Find You is a book by bestselling author/artist, Nancy Tillman, that celebrates the ways in which the love between parents and children is forever. The words are beautiful and convey exactly how a parent feels to his baby.
My husband adores this book. He used to read this book when I was pregnant and this is his go-to when reading to our kids at night now. This is a wonderful book for dad reading to baby in womb!
Best books for older siblings to read to baby in womb
I Am A Big Brother and I Am A Big Sister is a must-have for older siblings to read to baby in womb. With the arrival of a new baby comes many transitions, and big brothers and sisters may need a little extra TLC to adjust to a new family situation.
I used to read the I Am A Big Brother book to Baby W when I was pregnant with Baby #2. The sweet story really helped him prepare to be an older sibling. To this day, he still enjoys reading this book together with Baby Madi.
Before You Were Born
Before You Were Born is a joyful lift-the-flap book that tells the parallel story of mother and baby during the nine months of pregnancy.
Each page shows what’s happening to the mother on the outside and then, under the flap, in the mother’s belly to the baby on the inside. This is a great book to read with the older sibling and learn how Mommy is feeling and how the baby is developing.
Short stories to read to baby in womb
This Five-Minutes Stories book features over 50 exciting easy-to-read short stories. Strengthen the bond with your baby through family storytime, fostering a love for books and reading that will endure for years. From Jack and the Beanstalk to The Ugly Duckling, Little Red Hen, The Lion and the Mouse, Tom Thumb, and more, this treasury is the perfect collection of short stories to read to your baby in womb.
Free online books to read to baby in womb
Stories Berries has a great selection of free online books designed for reading to your baby in the womb. This platform offers a remarkable selection of the best free bedtime stories for babies, baby books, fairy tales, and stories tailored for toddlers. You can also filter by story times such as 5 minutes, 10 minutes, or 20+ minutes. Each book is enriched with lovely illustrations, making the reading experience visually engaging and delightful. These captivating narratives are not only entertaining but also serve as a wonderful way to connect with and read to your unborn child.
Books to read to baby in womb FAQs
When to start reading to baby in womb?
The idea of reading to a baby in the womb might seem far-fetched, but there is actually some evidence to suggest that it can be beneficial. Studies have shown that babies respond to auditory stimuli from as early as 16 weeks gestation. Exposure to music and other forms of sound can help babies to develop language skills and promote bonding between parent and child.
While there is no definitive answer as to when is the best time to start reading to a baby in the womb, most experts agree that any time after 16 weeks gestation is likely to be beneficial.
Does reading to your baby in the womb make them smarter?
It’s a question every parent-to-be asks themselves: how can I give my child the best start in life?
While there’s no surefire answer, some experts believe that reading to your baby while they’re still in the womb can give them a head start. The idea is that exposing them to the sound of your voice and the rhythm of language will help to stimulate their developing brain.
In fact, a recent study found that babies who were read to in utero were more likely to turn their heads in response to speech after they were born. While more research is needed, there’s certainly no harm in reading aloud to your bump – and you might just end up bonding with your little one before they’ve even entered the world.
What are the best books to read during pregnancy for baby’s brain development?
Repetitive books with bouncy rhythms and rhymes are great choices for fetal ears. However, the most important thing to remember is to pick books that you love, and that you hope your baby will love, too.
Here are a few great books with rhythms and rhymes:
- Mother Goose Treasury: A Beautiful Collection of Favorite Nursery Rhymes for Children – a collection of magical, well-loved tales. Perfect book for reading aloud
- Sweet Dreams Little One – a bedtime lullaby and goodnight board book
- The Jackie Morris Book of Classic Nursery Rhymes – a wonderfully illustrated and sumptuous collection of nursery rhymes for all ages
Does what you read affect your unborn baby?
Reading during pregnancy has been shown to have a number of benefits for both mother and child. For example, reading can help reduce stress levels, improve sleep quality, and even promote bonding between mother and child. Additionally, reading has been linked with higher IQ scores in children, so it’s definitely worth incorporating into your pregnancy routine.
How to talk to baby in womb?
There is no right or wrong way to talk to your baby – just say whatever comes into your head. You could talk about your day, what you are doing, what you are looking forward to, or even sing a song. Your baby will love hearing the sound of your voice, so just relax and enjoy the moment.
Final thoughts on best books to read to baby in womb
So far we’ve shared a list of books that are perfect for reading aloud during pregnancy. We also looked at the importance of reading to baby and how it can prepare your little one for a lifetime of learning.
Now, I want to hear from you!
What book will you be reading to your little one?
Let me know by leaving a message below.
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