Reading to a baby -- any advice?

[aikigypsy]

So, I was reading along in one of these child development books or websites the other day, and it recommended reading to babies from a very young age, 6 months or earlier.

I would like to read to my 7-month-old but can't figure out how! She's too squirmy, or else she's feeding or asleep. She's beginning to have moments of quiet play, exploring objects, but if there's a book near her, it's in her mouth.

Should I wait, or is there something I can do to encourage sitting relatively still and looking at pictures?

(thank you hana btw )

DD had wooden books with a big bright picture on each 'page'. They were just another toy that she banged, bit, sucked etc but she would stop and look at the pictures at which point I would say 'ball, that's a ball' or whatever. I can't remember how old she was when we started 'reading' together, but it was usually when she was getting tired and needed to relax/sleep. I think it helped that dh and I both read a lot, so she was used to seeing us with our noses in books.

I'd only read to your baby if he or she is enjoying it. My daughter happened to like looking at books from pretty young but if she hadn't enjoyed it, I can't see that there would have been much point. After all, you want them to like reading, not to feel that it's something you have to do, surely?

Reporting in:

We "read" all of Goodnight Gorilla last night and it was kind of fun. It's mostly pictures, and she was looking at them some.

Reading these replies, I think I'm a bit frustrated because I haven't had time for my own reading in ages. It's not just the baby, it's the fact that we have two flatmates and lots of visitors and the TV is on constantly in the evenings. if it were just me and DH I think I would ban the TV until after DD and I were in bed (I hate TV). I read bits and pieces at bedtime (in the time that sometimes exists after DD goes to sleep and before I nod off) but it's so, so slow.

Hi Aikigypsy. I've had a quick look at some of the replies to your OP, and I don't agree that it's ok not to read to your baby.

Check out this website (hope it comes out ok, I'm not too great with hyperlinks):

www.readtoyourbaby.com/

It's an American website (don't let this put you off) that is dedicated to the importance of reading to babies, how to do it, what sort of books to choose, why it is so important, and how to deal with wriggly babies.

I've become a real advocate of reading to even newborns; I found it a complete lifesaver when my DD was born very colicky and unsettled, and reading together became the only thing we could do together happily for a few months. She's now 20 months old (see my profile; I've kept a blog of her reading "experiences" since she was about 4 months old)and whilst a typical toddler, I really believe she has benefitted from our regular read alouds. And I have loved the snuggly and the closeness and the joy of discovering some beautiful books out there.

Some other websites that may help:
www.bookstart.co.uk/
www.youbabybookmagic.org.uk/

GOod luck and happy reading. I wish I had that time with my DD all over again.

definitely read to ds from very early. Some of the books got very much the worse for wear, but plenty in charity shops. My ds loved anything with rhyme/ rhythm to it, so hairy maclary as above, also Julia Donaldson (gruffalo etc), edward lear etc etc.
"That's not my" books great once they're sitting up and handling them, (very tactile). We also had one called "baby boo" in the amazing baby series, which ds loved around 7-14 months.
Could never read anything to him while I was bf as he was such a nosy little thing he would roll around trying to look at the book (and feeding at the same time, ouch!)

i started reading to my ds as soon as he was born, started off woth those clothy books with the different textures. now he is 16 months he loves turning the pages and every morning he brings a book to me to read! he likes the cardboard ones and the ones with pop ups and flaps etc as it keeps them interested and they feel involved.

gosh i have about 4 or 5 of those thats not my.... they are gret and my ds instantly starts touching the material bits!

I have been reading to my DS everynight since he was 3 months,
I sit down with him after he has had his bath and has been put in to his sleep stuff.

when he was younger it was slightly like reading to an octopus, but i would have to hold the book well away from his reach and not be too bothered about how long it would take to get through the story, or interrupting the story to try and get him to sit still on my lap.

However he quickly got the idea and now squeals with delight when i let him chose a book (he is 17 mths now) and sits very nicely and points along with me at both the words and the pictures.
he definately has his favourites and picks these more than others.

at the moment his favourites are
The Gruffalo (and The Gruffalo's Child)
Snore
The Bear Feels Ill
Where the Wild Things Are
The Ravenous Beast
Green Eggs and Ham

Persevere with reading to her it will become easier and you will come to love it because she will love it too.

My DD 10 would never sit still long enough to read to, far more interested in everything else.
She now loves reading now and often has her nose in a book when she is getting dressed etc.

Read far more to my son 12 and although he listens to story cd's every night, he very rarely will read a novel, although he has just started reading the CHerub series.

Would agre with 'that's not my' books - lots of different ones, bright colours & textures to grab attention.
DS still oves his and he's 2.5

(although has anyone questioned how a small white mouse has the wherewithall to buy trains, cars, trucks, robots etc?)

Answered me own question - he's Alan Sugarmouse

"I think I'm a bit frustrated because I haven't had time for my own reading in ages"

When my daughter was v small, I just read whatever I was reading out loud to her with lots of expression. It's a bit slow but she LOVED it and I got to read a book, even if it was only for five minutes at a time.

I like some of the That's Not My books but some are frankly inaccurate and it pisses me off.

Sorry if i repeat anyone, haven't read all posts, but i used to read the bookstart freebie Poppycat likesbedtime, i think it was called, and rather than 'reading' it to dd just used to use pictures to pint things oput and make sounds, more so they are listening to your voice and winding down, things like 'can you see that pretty duckie, ooh, he says quack quack' and the like, you know, marshmallow brain conversation! Stick to the same book with same 'reading' pattern and your dc may look forward to the regular sights, like looking out for the duckie and the stars etc.

Yeah, definitely can't read what I'm reading to her -- she's too grabby and the pages would all be ripped to shreds before I got to the second paragraph. I have tried reading (to myself) while breastfeeding, but she bats the books out of my hand. I don't dare try to read an interesting picture book to her when my nipples are in the jaws of sharp little baby teeth.

Thanks for the links, Campaspe. I just had a quick look at them and was happy to see that at least I've got the "right" books on hand.

We should probably work on our bedtime routine. There's not much to it at the moment, just wait until she's tired and nurse to sleep.

My DD is 7months too. She has loads of books, as I am an Usborne organiser so get lots free/cheap. I just put some down with her when she is playing and always have, she has now leant to turn pages (depending on shape/size of books obviously).

We have a variety of types:
Cloth books - can be shoved in the washing machine which is goood, as they stay in good contition.

Bath boooks are fab as it doesnt even take up any extra time, I can read to her in the bath, while she is in her bath seat.

Hard books, with really thick, chewable pages are also good, but might not last as long at this age.

Even if you dont actually read them much (we probably actually only read a whole baby book maybe once a week), having them around, will get them familiar with the concept. Also, my DD loves looing at the pictures and brightly coloured pages etc.

Alternativly, alot of liberays do a free story time once a wk, you could give it a try and if she doesnt like it, dont go again. We are going to start going in October ish when I start childminding.

Ive been reading to my baby since week two, now at almost week seven he falls asleep often wifh just me reading books, sure he doesnt understand but the rhyme and repetition is great and also they love to hear your voice regardless if they understand anything. Also they get to hear a wide range of vocab. So they dont start school with an american accent because theyve been raised by ipads and tv which teach them language. Also the high contrast in picture books stimulate them and keep them entertained also. And just like anything else it can become habit and routine. Just like bath before bed or whatever. Children always copy from parents so if your not reading your baby will probably not read. Its really not about whether they understand the book 3 year olds can barely understand books its not an excuse to not read.