10 Reasons to Read to Your Baby in the Womb

Reading to your baby in the womb might seem like an unconventional idea, but emerging research suggests it could have long-lasting benefits for both baby and you. The connection between expectant parents and their unborn children goes beyond the physical — it includes building bonds, stimulating development, and even setting the stage for a love of learning. Here are 10 scientifically-backed reasons why you should consider reading to your baby before birth.

1. Boosts Language Development Early On

Research indicates that babies begin hearing sounds in the womb around 25 weeks gestation, and by the third trimester, they can start distinguishing between different noises and voices. According to a study published in Developmental Science (2013), fetuses can recognize rhythm and melody, and studies have shown that babies exposed to language before birth have an easier time recognizing their mother's voice after birth.

When you read to your baby, you're introducing them to the sounds of language — the cadence, rhythm, and flow of words. This early exposure can help lay the foundation for language development after birth.

2. Strengthens Bond Between Parent and Baby

Reading to your baby in the womb can be a profound bonding experience. The act of reading, especially with soothing tones, creates a sense of security and connection. The baby becomes familiar with the rhythm of the parent's voice, which can have a calming effect after birth, easing the transition into the world outside the womb.

A study from The Journal of Child Language (2013) found that babies showed a preference for the rhythm and intonation of their mother's voice compared to others after birth, reinforcing the importance of early vocal interaction.

3. Enhances Auditory Skills

Babies are not born with fully developed hearing, but their auditory system is functional by the third trimester. Reading to your baby allows them to experience a variety of sounds, pitches, and rhythms, which helps them fine-tune their hearing abilities. Research in The Journal of Neuroscience (2014) suggests that prenatal exposure to speech can enhance auditory processing skills, which are critical for learning to speak and understand language after birth.

4. Stimulates Brain Development

The fetal brain undergoes rapid development in the later stages of pregnancy. Early auditory input, such as hearing speech, can stimulate neural pathways and enhance cognitive growth. A study published in Frontiers in Psychology (2018) showed that exposure to speech in utero was linked to better language processing abilities postnatally. Reading provides a consistent stream of auditory stimulation that can support brain development during this crucial time.

5. Promotes Emotional Development

Language is not just about communication; it’s also about emotional expression. Reading stories that convey emotions and expressions helps the baby start to learn about social and emotional cues, even before birth. A study from The Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (2013) found that babies exposed to the same lullaby in the womb demonstrated a preference for that melody after birth, suggesting that familiarity with emotional and social cues in utero can positively affect emotional development.

6. Creates a Calming Routine

For many parents, reading aloud to their baby becomes part of a daily routine. Routine has been shown to have calming effects on both the parent and the baby. The consistency of reading at a set time each day can provide a sense of stability and relaxation for the baby, making the womb environment feel safer and more predictable.

In a study from The Journal of Perinatology (2014), parents who engaged in routine activities like talking or reading to their unborn babies reported feeling more connected to their child, and their babies demonstrated signs of calming when exposed to familiar sounds after birth.

7. Prepares Baby for Post-Birth Communication

Studies have shown that prenatal exposure to speech can make it easier for babies to understand language after birth. In Infant Behavior and Development (2010), researchers found that newborns who were exposed to stories in the womb were more likely to show a preference for the same story once born. This early exposure primes the baby's brain for language acquisition and comprehension, making it easier for them to respond to verbal communication post-birth.

8. Increases Maternal Well-Being

Reading to your baby can also have positive effects on the mother. A study in BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth (2015) highlighted that prenatal bonding activities, including reading, can decrease feelings of anxiety and stress in expecting mothers. Engaging in these practices allows the mother to feel more in tune with her baby, leading to a greater sense of emotional well-being.

9. Promotes Cognitive and Learning Skills

While the research is still developing, some studies suggest that prenatal exposure to stimulating sounds and language can promote early cognitive skills. According to research in Cerebral Cortex (2012), babies who were exposed to music and speech patterns in utero demonstrated advanced recognition abilities once born. Although further studies are needed to fully understand these effects, it’s plausible that reading helps to stimulate areas of the brain related to memory, cognition, and learning.

10. Supports Healthy Pregnancy and Birth

Engaging in calming, low-stress activities, like reading aloud, can also benefit the mother's health during pregnancy. Stress during pregnancy has been linked to adverse outcomes, including preterm birth and low birth weight. By reducing stress through reading, parents might contribute to a healthier pregnancy and delivery experience. According to a study in Psychology & Health (2012), stress-reducing activities like reading aloud were associated with better maternal health and birth outcomes.

I'm guessing you're ready to pick up a book, relax, and start reading to your baby during pregnancy aren't you?— but now the question is what to read?...

Rhyming books have the added benefit of the rhythm which can be particularly calming and when read aloud provide opportunity for a wide variety of intonations. Reading rhymes aloud sounds a lot different to the sound of normal conversation.

Reading books with heartfelt words with meaning will also naturally provide for greater expression and connection when reading aloud, as well as the automatic effect reading these words will have to your nervous system and how you (and baby) will feel.

For You Mama to Read to your Baby Bump (and Yourself) was created with both of these in mind. The rhythm of the rhyme is there to soothe baby, the heartfelt words are for you to read aloud to baby like you are having a sweet conversation with them about life and love - to start to develop your bond that will last beyond your lifetime. Intertwined through the rhyme are also words of support for mothers-to-be for both through their pregnancy and beyond into their wild adventure into new parenthood.