Reading...

[srv]

I've been reading to my son since he was born - just reading out the books that I've been reading during the day. However I want to start reading to him as part of his bedtime routine - and books that are appropriate for his age. He is 13 weeks old.

At what age did you start reading to your children? How did you incorporate it into a bedtime routine (feed, nappy free kick, bath and another feed works really well at the mo - don't want to risk returning to the "crying for two hours before he'll sleep" days!!) and what books would you recommend?

Thanks

srv

[Notyummy]

We've done the same routine as you, and added the books at the very last feed. DD is now 19 months and loves story time (she has three books which she chooses from a selection, and she gets very uppity if you try and short change her!)

At 13 weeks, I would have thought that things with different textures/sparkly colours would go down well. Things like 'Thats not my puppy/kitten/tractor' or any simple picture book with arresting images. That said, some babies just LOVE to be read to and will sit and listen to quite complex stories because they like thew sound of the voice.

[Twiglett]

mild snigger at 'books that are appropriate for his age'

It's lovely to read to your child, but you could read anything really at 13 weeks .. it's the tone of your voice and the closeness that is the good habit

You have years and years of 'Goodnight Moon' and The grumpalump, reading and re-reading them ..

you won't believe me in fact you'll probably ignore me .. but really make the most of this time to get some of yoru own reading

[cornsilk]

I read to my ds from about 5 weeks, nursery rhymes, anything really. Buy books you think you will enjoy as well - if one becomes their favourite you might have to read it again and again!

[oysterpots]

My DS is 7 months now but we read to him from the beginning.

His favourites are 'The Elephant and the Bad Baby', 'Each Peach Pear Plum', and 'Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See?'.

Good repetitive rhymes and lovely pictures too.

[phlossie]

I've always read to my children too. I'd say that they definitely prefered some books to others at this age either because the pictures are particularly attractive or the rhythm of the text is soothing. My dcs loved any of the Usbourne 'That's not my...' series (Tractor was a favourite), 'The Going to Bed Book' by Sandra Boynton, and books with black and white pics.
As for routine, we did (still do) nappy off, bath, dress for bed, feed, read, bed. It helped seperate feeding from sleeping. But I wouldn't bother do this until ds is ready. I still read and then feed dd (21 weeks) to sleep some of the time - it depends on her mood.
For more about books, there is a books for children thread in the book club section on this here site!