[name_f]My[/name_f] husband thinks I’m insane because over the past few weeks I’ve taken to reading out loud to my bump.
I’m 32 weeks along now and so far the bump has been read [name_m]Little[/name_m] Women by [name_f]Louisa[/name_f] [name_f]May[/name_f] [name_u]Alcott[/name_u], the 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th [name_m]Harry[/name_m] [name_m]Potter[/name_m] books, Dracula by [name_m]Bram[/name_m] Stoker, some [name_u]Keats[/name_u] poems and Hard Times by [name_m]Charles[/name_m] Dickens. I think she kicks more when I’m reading but that could just be me being overly excited and only thinking that.
She’s also been played the [name_f]Katherine[/name_f] [name_m]Jenkins[/name_m] CD over and over.
Does anybody do this? Or did this? If so, what did you read your bump?
I did this all the time when I was pregnant with my daughter. I mostly read children’s poetry like [name_m]Lewis[/name_m] [name_u]Carroll[/name_u] and [name_u]Shel[/name_u] Silverstein. I also read her the Grimm fairy tales and [name_f]Alice[/name_f] in Wonderland. I don’t think it’s silly because it helps you feel closer to your baby, regardless of whether or not he / she can hear what you’re reading. It is a great bonding experience that carries on after the baby is born.
No babies, no baby belly, but my mum says she used to read to me while she was pregnant. She said I used to flutter around while she read. Probably reacting to her voice, or the warm cozy feelings she had while doing it. I think it’s a lovely thing to do. She used to read whatever she was personally reading. Mostly classics I believe, the [name_f]Bronte[/name_f]'s have always been big in our family. She was only 16 at the time, so I imagine there were a few romances in there, too, and children’s literature. [name_f]Winnie[/name_f]-the-Pooh I think.
I plan to read to my baby while pregnant, when the time comes.
I’ve always heard that the baby develops hearing 16 weeks after conception, so I intend to talk/sing/play music/read as much as possible at that time. I think it’s a sweet way to bond, and you can NEVER start encouraging reading too early.
I never read to my baby in utero, but I did sing a special song. I am convinced he heard the song and remembered the tune because since birth and even now at three years old that particular song has always seemed to calm him more than other songs.
Anything you read will help you bond, but songs and poety might be fun to see if baby recognizes the rhythm once it is born. I think it is easier for them to hear the rhythm or tune than specific words.
