Baby’s Reading Nook

How to create the proper reading nook for baby and you

I’m sure you already know that reading to your baby, even while pregnant, is a vital part of healthy child development. That’s why I suggest creating a beautiful reading space as early as possible will give you a jump start on bonding and connecting to your child. Creating a space that allows you to spend some quiet time alone with your unborn child will prepare him or her for their new living arrangements on this side of their world.

Imagine creating an inviting and welcoming reading nook where you can relax with your baby before you go to bed. Sit in a comfy rocking chair where your favorite infant books are just an arm reach away. Developing this habit during your pregnancy will make the transition to bedtime for your newborn more familiar and relaxing. Your unborn baby will enjoy the sound of mama’s voice and will remember this special place where the two of you met before he/she entered this new world and mommy’s arms.

To start you in the right direction I am including the Top 10 Best Books to Read to Baby. I suggest you build baby’s library with this list of great books and then add new ones to the library as the baby develops. In addition to this list of books, I will be sharing with you my number one best book. This is the book I read to my two little boys every single night for years!

         10. “Are You My Mother?” by P.D. Eastman
         9. “The Giving Tree” by Shel Silverstein
         8. “Brown Bear, Brown Bear by Bill Martin Jr and Eric Carle
         7. “The Cat in the Hat” by Dr. Seuss
         6. “Oh Baby! The Places You’ll Go” by Mrs. Seuss, Tish Rabe
         5. “Hop on Pop” by Dr. Seuss
         4. “Where the Wild Things Are” by Maurice Sendak
         3. “Where the Sidewalk Ends” by Shel Silverstein
         2. “Mama, Do You Love Me?” by Barbara M. Joosse

And my number one pick of all time…drum roll please…

         1. “Love You Forever” by Robert Munsch and Sheila McGraw

Now that you have your library started, let’s see if we can create a special space for it! (Helpful Hint: Ask your friends who attend your baby shower bring books instead of cards. They can have special message written inside just for baby and to place it in your already created library)

The most important thing to remember about creating your reading nook space is that it is YOUR space! Make sure it reflects you because that is what makes it so special and comfortable. The simpler the space the more functional it will be when it’s time for your little one to go to bed.

Here are 5 really simple steps to a warm and reading room:

1. Color - Carve out a little corner in your baby’s nursery. Make sure that area is welcoming but warmly painted in a calming color such as lavender, soft green, pale blue, soft gray, or deep blue.
   
   
2. Chair - The chair is the centerpiece of the space because it has to be comfortable enough for both mom and baby. Remember, the goal for night-time book reading is to calm your baby down so she can fall asleep peacefully. My preference is something that moves like a padded rocking chair or a swivel recliner, both rocking and swivel would be ideal!
   
   
3. Lighting - Next to your chair there should be some sort of nightstand with a lamp. The lamp light should be bright enough to allow you to read yet easy on the eyes. There are several options that are a better choice for your eye health, including traditional incandescent bulbs, LED bulbs, and halogen bulbs. Warm white fluorescent CFLs can be a good replacement but do know that they still emit a small number of UV rays. This mDesign 2-drawer storage unit with wood top is the perfect size for that special spot in the baby’s room, especially if you choose a lavender wall color.
   
   
4. Shelving - There are lots of options for containing or displaying your favorite lullaby books. You will have to consider your space and choose the option that best fits. One of my favorite ideas is to mount one or two floating shelves that can display your favorite nighttime picks. Then, beneath the floating shelves get a cubby unit that fits. Fill a few of the cubbies with a few of these adorable and functional mDesign cubby bins. They come in different sizes and colors to suit your needs. You can stack extra books vertically or horizontally, and they even come with a handle to make it easy to grab what you need when you have the baby in tow.
   
   On the top shelf of the cubby, try stacking these colorful  book holders to view titles easily and return them back to the shelf for a quick and easy cleanup. No more books strewn on the floor, and they match the nightstand perfectly!
   
   
5. Pillows and blankies - Prop up your baby (or your arm by tossing a few pillows on the chair. Pair these great 20 inches by 20 inches pillow covers in light gray as an added, calming, accent color. Then, when not in use, throw your baby’s favorite blankie in one of the cubby cubes.

These versatile pieces are all you need to create a cozy corner for you and your little one.

Shop the Look: This 3-tier storage cart is a great addition to every nursery, kids' room, and playroom!

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