How to Read to a Baby in the Womb
Studies have shown that babies recognize voices and rhythms that they heard while in utero. Research also indicates that fetuses are sensitive to melodic speech. By reading to your baby before he is born, he will become accustomed to the sound of your voice. You also might find reading to your baby to be a bonding experience.
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Instructions
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Instructions
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Choose your reading material. Rhyming, rhythmic books such as Dr. Seuss or nursery rhymes are good choices. Poetry is also a good choice. Try to read something you will also read to your baby once he is born, so that he recognizes the sound of the story.
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Read aloud to the baby in the womb at the same time every day. Pick a quiet time of day when you are relaxed, and make sure you are comfortable as you read.
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Read for as long as you would like. Read a normal tone and at normal volume.
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Encourage other family members to read to the baby in the womb. Fathers, siblings or other relatives might enjoy reading as a way to bond with the baby before it is born. Research shows that babies can recognize their father's voices if they hear the voice often while in utero.
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Once your baby is born, continue reading to him every day, if possible. Read the same stories you read before he was born, and read new stories and poems, too.
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Tips & Warnings
Though some babies seem to recognize stories read to them in utero and calm down when they hear the story, do not be alarmed if your baby does not seem to recognize a story read to him in utero.
Do not feel as though you have to read to your unborn baby every day.
References
Resources
- Photo Credit pregnant #15 image by Adam Borkowski from Fotolia.com
