When to Start Reading to Baby in the Womb
Reading aloud is a calming way to bond with your baby during pregnancy. It can also lay the foundation for your baby’s language development and love for stories. If you’re wondering when to start reading to baby in the womb, we’re sharing the latest science on fetal hearing.
Here’s what we know about fetal hearing, its development, and how to make the most of reading aloud to your baby before birth.
Why Read to Your Baby During Pregnancy?
Reading to your baby in the womb has powerful benefits. Research shows that babies can hear and recognize sounds from the outside world, including voices and music, during pregnancy. By reading aloud, you’re introducing your baby to the comforting rhythms of your voice and creating a sense of connection.
This early exposure to language helps foster their brain development and may even contribute to language skills after birth. Beyond the science, it’s a chance to slow down and savor this time as your body nurtures a new life.
When Can Babies Start Hearing in the Womb?
Babies begin developing the ability to hear around 18 weeks of pregnancy, though their hearing is still limited at this stage. By the time you reach 25 to 26 weeks, their ears are more fully developed, and they can respond to external sounds, including your voice. (source)
Sound travels differently in the womb, muffled by amniotic fluid and the maternal body, but rhythmic and melodic sounds like your voice carry through well.
Studies have even shown that babies can recognize their mother’s voice and may show a preference for familiar sounds they’ve heard during pregnancy after they’re born. (source)
When to Start Reading to Baby in the Womb
“Reading to an unborn baby provides an additional form of language stimulation that is more structured,” explains developmental behavioral pediatrician, Fadiyla Dopwell, M.D. “Many studies document the benefits of early literacy exposure on language and literacy development. By setting this precedence early, the baby is being offered an advantage.”
The best time to start reading to your baby is around 25 weeks, when their hearing has developed enough to pick up on external sounds more clearly. However, there’s no need to wait for a specific milestone.
If it feels right to begin earlier, go for it!
Reading to your unborn baby can be as much about your own joy and connection as it is about their development.
Consistency matters more than perfection. Whether it’s once a week or every evening, find a rhythm that works for you. The soothing sound of your voice creates a sense of security and familiarity for your baby.
How to Really Enjoy this Time
I was one of those pregnant mamas who talked to her belly. It came so naturally to me, I had to remind myself not to do it at work.
So, reading aloud in the evening also came naturally to me for our first. With our second, I was already reading to a preschooler every night, so it was a two-for-one! But I get that it might feel awkward at first.
- If it makes you feel silly at first, try reading out of earshot of your partner or anyone else who lives with you. Within a few days, you’ll feel less self-conscious.
- Select books with rhythmic language, soothing tones, or themes that resonate with you. Classics like Goodnight Moon or books with rhyming text are wonderful choices. You might also enjoy reading poetry or your own favorite childhood stories.
- Involve Your Partner and Family. Encourage your partner or older children to join in. Hearing multiple voices helps your baby start to recognize the family’s unique soundscape.
- Create a calming atmosphere when you read. Dim the lights, sit in a comfortable chair, and focus on the moment. This can also become part of your wind-down routine during pregnancy.
- Follow Your Intuition: There’s no right or wrong way to read to your baby. Whether you’re reading from a favorite book, reciting a poem, or simply talking about your day, your baby benefits from the comforting cadence of your voice.
Questions About When to Read to Your Unborn Baby
Can babies really remember what they hear in the womb? While your baby may not consciously remember specific stories or words, studies suggest they recognize and respond to familiar sounds after birth. For example, newborns often show a preference for their mother’s voice and songs or stories heard during pregnancy.
Do I have to read every day? Not at all! There’s no pressure to make this a daily habit if it doesn’t feel manageable. Even occasional reading sessions can be beneficial and enjoyable.
Is there a wrong time to start? Nope! Whether you start early in pregnancy or closer to your due date, the most important thing is the connection you’re creating.
Reading to your baby in the womb is a beautiful way to bond, nurture their development, and prepare for the journey ahead as a family. You can begin as early as you like, but many parents find around 25 weeks to be an ideal time when their baby’s hearing is more developed.
Choose books that make you happy, relax into the process, and enjoy this sweet opportunity to connect with your baby.
More Pregnancy Resources
The Healing Power of Rest: Lying In with Your New Baby
Our Complete Guide to Baby Names
Healthier Alternatives to the Glucose Drink
The Benefits of Reading to Your Baby in the Womb
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3 Reasons to Create a Birth Plan
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