infant reading Archives - Leaf and Steel

Mother’s Day is almost here! What better way to share your love of mom with your little one than by reading books on the subject!

Keep reading to see ten of the best baby books to celebrate any mom in 2022.

This post contains affiliate links. This means that I may make a small commission off of products that are purchased through these links, at no cost to you. You can read more about this process here.

I don’t know about you, but we have books strewn all over our house. They’re everywhere. There are books for the bathtub, books for the stroller, books for grandparents’ houses and books for the car….

“Can you read your book while you wait” is an everyday phrase in our house. My daughter has been a voracious reader since the beginning. I love how much she loves to read! I credit our dedication to reading every day since birth (okay, not every day, I’m human).

In my experience, reading and motherhood go hand in hand!

There’s nothing sweeter than having my daughter crawl into my lap with her favorite book. As much as I love our snuggles during Puffin Rock or Elmo, reading a great children’s book with her is a joy like no other.

When is Mother’s Day this year?

Mother’s Day is on Sunday, May 8th, 2022. Mother’s Day is held on the second Sunday in May in the United States.

When should I start reading to my baby?

As soon as possible! Even if it’s a quick little board book in the beginning, get into the habit of reading to your baby immediately. I remember adding it onto my list of things to do when I had a newborn.

Read with your child every single day.

nothings more awkward than reading to a stranger in water who steals all your nutrients

See this article from Parents for more information: “The Benefits of Reading to Your Newborn” (click here for reference):

Studies have also shown that children who were read to as newborns have a larger vocabulary, as well as more advanced mathematical skills, than other kids their age. A 2019 study published in the Journal of Developmental & Behavioral Pediatrics, for example, found that kids who are read to every day are exposed to around 78,000 words each year—over five years, that adds up to 1.4 million words heard during story time.
There’s also a direct link between how many words a baby hears each day and her language skills. One study found that babies whose parents spoke to them a lot scored higher on standard tests when they reached age 3 than children whose parents weren’t as verbal.
Parents, “The Benefits of Reading to Your Newborn”

How do I read to my baby more?

I always say that the easiest way to read more books to your little one is to tack it onto an already formed routine. Reading before bedtime, around a mealtime, or after a nap are some of the best times to read with your baby.

Baby M loves to read by herself when I’m making her meals or in the car! By having lots of books in lots of places, it’s easy to keep your little one reading.

What are the best books about moms for babies?

I’ve compiled a list of some classics and newer titles.

My personal favorite is The Runaway Bunny by Margaret Wise Brown. I fell apart the first time I read it. There was something so sweet and comforting about the mama bunny accepting the baby bunny’s rebellion.

The illustrations by Clement Hurd are vibrant and iconic. I would love to hang some prints from this book in my next nursery.

I was encouraged (by the internet) to read to my baby while I was pregnant, that she would be comforted by the sound of my voice. The Runaway Bunny was always my go-to pregnancy read. Of course, I fully expected my infant daughter to have some kind of reaction to me reading the book when she was out. She made it very clear that the book was not her cup of tea…

My goal as a parent is to be “the tree” that my daughter can come home to.