Many of us parents dream of that special moment just before it’s time to sleep and we have a quiet few minutes reading bedtime stories to our babies.
We receive lots of cuddles and create an amazing connection as we share these special moments as our little ones are growing up.
It is a wonderful habit to start from newborn babies right up until they are willing to sit down long enough to watch and listen 😉
If bedtime stories are planned into our daily routine from the beginning then it will become an enjoyable time for both babies and mummy’s.
It will help our babies (or kids) to wind down after their busy day of exploring the big wide world.
Before long our babies will be going to the bookshelf themselves to choose which bedtime story they would like to read that evening.
Bath, Bottle (or Boob) and Bedtime stories for our Babies.
BABIES 0+
We may often wonder if there is any point reading to newborn babies that still can’t communicate with us or show much responsiveness to us when we are telling tales.
However I strongly believe that it is the best time to start.
A simple, heartwarming book at the end of a long, tiring day is the best medicine for both baby and mummy.
Black and white baby books are another perfect idea to use with our babies.
I LOVE YOU TO THE MOON AND BACK By Amelia Hepworth
How can we resist a book with this title?!
A perfectly cute book which shows the love between a parent and baby as they go and explore the outdoors and appreciate the little, most important things in life.
The subtle, ‘evening’ colours make the book a great go-to book for bedtime storytime.
GOODNIGHT BABY BEAR By Bebe Mondo
I love this soft touch book!
It is ideal for our little babies to touch and try and grab so they feel like they are getting involved with storytime themselves.
There is a little teddy hung on a ribbon with pockets within the book to allow for the teddy to move and join in the story as we’re going along without worrying about losing it.
The moving teddy has two sides: awake and asleep to fit in with the story.
NIGHT NIGHT FARM By Roger Priddy
Place this book under a light for 30 seconds and watch the stars shine bright.
You could create the perfect atmosphere ready for some sweet dreams and saying “Night Night” to all the farmyard animals in the book.
Our babies will be able to say those two words to each and every one of the animals in no time.
IF ANIMALS KISSED GOODNIGHT By Ann Whitford Paul
Such a fun book showing how lots of different animals would kiss if they were people.
It explains the different noises that each animal makes.
Try and make your best impression of the animals as you’re turning the pages and listen to the giggles from your little one.
TEN LITTLE NIGHT STARS By Deb Gruelle
I love the bright, exciting illustrations in this book.
This is a slightly different book from most of the others as it helps our little ones count from one to ten: practise makes perfect!
Will your little sleepyhead have fallen to sleep by the time you count to 10?!
TODDLERS AND OLDER 12months +
From 12 months onwards the enjoyment of bedtime stories really starts for both toddlers and parents.
Our little readers will know when the time of day has arrived to grab their favourite books before they head to bed.
They will start to look at each page in more depth and understand the meaning of the story.
Perhaps they will even start repeating some of the words found within the book.
I’VE LOVED YOU SINCE FOREVER by Hoda Kotb
I would say this is more of a mature book therefore would be more adapted to toddlers and kids however there is no harm reading to our babies too.
The story is heart-warming and tells a beautiful story that in fact made me feel a little emotional- I blame the mummy hormones!
There are very few words in the book however they are all very meaningful and a great addition to our book collection.
365 BEDTIME STORIES AND RHYMES By Cottage Door Press
One book with a story/ rhyme for every day of the year (unless it’s a leap year).
There are both classic and new stories to be heard which gives us mummy’s lots of choice to prevent us from having to read the same story over and over again.
When our little ones become older, they will be able to start to read these short stories themselves.
It is definitely a book that can grow with our children that will get many years of use.
THE GOODNIGHT TRAIN By June Sobel
A fun, rhyming book with illustrations that go perfectly with the style of the story.
It allows for our toddlers’ fantasies to go wild whilst listening to the story.
The bedtime routine is explained in a creative way that hopefully will encourage even the most stubborn of little ones to go to the land of sleep.
It’s an enjoyable book for us parents to repeat numerous times without getting bored. There is another book leading on from this, The Goodnight Train Rolls On!
WHERE DO DIGGERS SLEEP AT NIGHT? By Brianna Caplan Sayres
Perfect for all those curious and inquisitive toddlers who ask where their favourite toy is.
I love how the diggers have faces to bring them to life and allow our toddlers’ imaginations run free.
It is a good way of explaining that our little ones should now sleep because even their toys are going to sleep and they won’t be missing any fun until the morning.
This book also comes in a fun box set with two other similarly named books: Where Do Diggers, Trains And Planes Sleep At Night?
NIGHT NIGHT SLEEPYTOWN By Amy Parker
There are various books within this collection of Night Night… books.
Night Night Sleepytown is a wonderful book which thanks various people working in Sleepytown for the jobs they do.
This book can open up our little ones’ minds about the different jobs and what people do within the town whilst saying goodnight to them all.
Other similar titles are;
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You could also read some of our recommended Classical Music Books during bedtime stories to help soothe and calm our little ones before getting off to sleep.
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