Never underestimate the power of reading to your baby in their isolette.

It helps with bonding and hearing your voice can comfort your baby.
I will never forget my baby’s nurses saying, “he loves it when you read to him. His vitals all even out while you read.” It made my mama heart so happy. If there is anything I am the most proud of during his NICU stay, it’s the way I read to him day after day, book after book. The coolest part is… he still loves books!

So I get that I should read to my baby… but what do I read to them?

They’re too little for picture books so what am I supposed to read them? Anything. You read them anything and everything! The sound of your voice is what matters the most. Don’t get hung up too much on what book because the important thing is that they’re listening to their mama or daddy talk.

Grab your favorite book, the newspaper, a magazine or ebook and get to reading!

Seriously, I cannot say enough good things about the benefits of reading to your babe.
So you’re not really a reader and need some recommendations. First I’ll say, the library is a great resource. Go to the children’s section and grab whatever catches your eye.

If you’re looking to purchase a couple books related to the NICU, here are my favorites:

Peanut: A story book for might preemie babies by Lindsay Nolan

I absolutely love this book as it talks about a mama’s love for her peanut.

Small but Mighty by Alyssa Veech

A sweet story with very accurate illustrations

Oops! I’m Early by Irika Katiyar

Written and illustrated by a preemie!

To the Moon and Back for You but Emilia Bechrakis Serhart

Written by a mama who went through IVF but I think it applies to more situations than that as it talks about how hard it was to get to her baby. A moving love story about the lengths a parent will go for their child.

Nicu Mamahood: The Musings of a NICU Mama by Jes Wagner

Throwing in a book for Mom and Dad as well because you matter too. This book relays the emotions that every NICU parent experiences. It’s through the lense of the Mama but I think dads can relate as well.

Most importantly, pick something that YOU enjoy reading because baby isn’t focused on the words as much as they’re focused on Mom or Dad’s voice.

Get to reading!