Best Types of Books for 3 Month Old Babies
If you have an infant, you might be wondering when to start searching for books for 3 month old babies. The answer is now!
According to our friends at Zero to Three, reading to babies is important because the roots of language are developing in babies’ brain even before they can talk! The more words babies hear over time, the more words they learn.
At 3 months old, your baby enjoys your company and the sound of your voice and words, even though they may seem too little to understand. Babies may come to recognize the book-sharing routine by calming, widening their eyes, smiling or kicking to show excitement.
Babies will also want to explore books through their senses by grabbing and chewing on the book.
They may not pay attention to the whole story, so take a break when they get bored (looking away, arching back, closing eyes, crying). Here are some of the best books for 3 month old babies that you can use from birth to six months!
1. Black and white high contrast books
The black and white photos with contrasting images are easier for your infant to focus on. Newborns can see most clearly up to about `12 in. After that, things get to be a bit of a blur.
Black and white high contrast books can help encourage their vision development.
But don’t give away these books once your baby passes the newborn stage. These are great books for 3 month old babies, too!
All you have to do is use your imagination and make up different stories to share with your baby every time you read it! It’s an easy way to engage with your baby and keep things interesting!
2. Crinkle books
Books that have texture or make noise will get your baby’s attention. That alone makes it one of the best books for 3 month old babies.
As they your baby gets older, you’ll be amazed to see how they interact with the same book, differently!
Similar to the high contrast books, crinkle book pages tend to be filled with illustrations and very little text.
This gives you the opportunity to build a story around the picture on the page.
If the image on the page is an ice skate you could say:
’This is an ice skate.’ <crinkle the image of the ice skate>
‘When you put it on your foot, <tickle their foot> you can glide across the ice like this.’
‘Whooosh.’
3. Books with babies’ faces
Babies love to look at faces, especially those of other babies! Describe the emotions each baby is displaying.
If you see a picture of a baby laughing you could say:
‘Look at the baby!’
‘He is laughing!’
‘He sees something funny!’
‘Can you laugh like him?’ <pause and bring your ear close to your baby’s head like you’re listening>
‘Can you laugh like mommy?’ <start laughing>
Being overly dramatic will help keep your baby engaged.
Because of the versatility of these books, we find them to be one of the best books for 3 month old babies.
Pro Tips on Reading Books for 3 Month Old Babies:
1. You don’t need a pro tip. If you are making time to read to your baby at this age, you are a ROCKSTAR. 👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾
2. If you really want to read to your baby but can’t find time to do so, ask grandpa/grandma or another special person in your life to tell your baby a story.
‘When I was your age I walked 5 miles in your shoes’, is a good one. It’s also funny because your baby can’t walk yet and therefore can’t relate. Nevertheless, stories like this will help your baby’s brain develop and that’s something to feel good about.
Same goal, different way to get there. ROCKSTAR status achieved. 👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾
Concluding Thoughts on Best Types of Books for 3 Month Old Babies
The great part about identifying the best types of books for 3 month old babies is that when you select any of those books, they can last you from 0-6 months!
The pages of the high contrast books, crinkle books, and books with babies’ faces are filled with illustrations. This gives you the ability to be creative and create captivating stories your babies will LOVE!
Best books for older babies
Have older infants? Check out the best books for ages 6-12 months
Best books for toddlers
Check out the best books for ages 12-18 months; 18-24 months; 2-3 years; 3-4 years
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Black & white and crinckle books combined is what the baby i used to nanny loved!
That’s wonderful, Simona!! Who knew such simple books could yield so many benefits?!