https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Thu, 14 May 2026 13:36:30 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/books-in-the-bedtime-routine#post-2233091 Fri, 10 Jul 2015 14:44:21 +0000 mdf106 2233091@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I found it useful to give DS a book to play with while I read a different book. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/books-in-the-bedtime-routine#post-2232977 Fri, 10 Jul 2015 13:33:01 +0000 Grace 2232977@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>How old is your baby? Mine did the same thing until at least 9 months old. The trick is to read the same 4-5 books all the time. You will memorize them and you can keep "reading" even if the book is in your baby's mouth. And as you get less frustrated, you can add in different books. Remember that reading at that age is as much for the experience, the snuggles, the hearing your voice, the handling the books as it is for any other reason. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/books-in-the-bedtime-routine#post-2232856 Fri, 10 Jul 2015 12:27:35 +0000 jhd 2232856@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Books are not a part of our bedtime routine. We have board books in both of our living areas plus he has tons in his room. We often read in the morning. And sometimes he brings me books or plays with them at other times too. Do it whenever works for you and your LO. What about bath books or board books with just one word per page like the baby's first colors words type books? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/books-in-the-bedtime-routine#post-2232820 Fri, 10 Jul 2015 12:03:01 +0000 Mae 2232820@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I always read at least 2 short books but she doesn't necessarily listen lol. I try to have her sit in my lap and turn the pages, which works sometimes. But sometimes she just noodles away to play and I just read them aloud anyways while she is playing. I don't sweat it. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/books-in-the-bedtime-routine#post-2232805 Fri, 10 Jul 2015 11:40:40 +0000 Pumpkin Pie 2232805@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>How about doing story time in the morning? We always do story time in the morning, and bed time stories when we can. Since I want to keep reading into the routine, I just switched it to when it works out better for us. In the morning, after her bottle, and before she gets changed, we add in a book. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/books-in-the-bedtime-routine#post-2232764 Fri, 10 Jul 2015 10:55:01 +0000 mrs.shinerbock 2232764@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Another thought I just had - when LO was 6-12 months she really liked the fabric books and the plastic, bath books. I think because they made noises and had different textures, but I never really worried about her chewing on them or tearing those up. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/books-in-the-bedtime-routine#post-2232743 Fri, 10 Jul 2015 10:41:48 +0000 BabyTsMom 2232743@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Yeah, I'm inclined to say that you definitely don't have to read books as part of your routine. Since there are days that you start late, just try to keep the routine short and consistent. Like maybe pjs, white noise, 2 songs and good night- or something like that. Having said that, I did/do include books, and we usually do 3 (we keep about 5-6 books in rotation but always end with the same one). When he was very young, he didn't care for them either. But now, at 13 months, he loves it. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/books-in-the-bedtime-routine#post-2232642 Fri, 10 Jul 2015 09:17:09 +0000 mrs.shinerbock 2232642@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Don't feel pressure to include it in the bedtime routine if it's not working for you. My sister and her husband include it in the morning routine. The twins got a bottle of milk and would sit in her lap drinking it while she read a few books in the morning.</p> <p>I've heard of other families that do books during dinner or bath time. Find a time that works for you - the most important parts are that there are books around for them to explore and that they hear you read books/tell stories/sing songs. </p> <p>And FWIW - my LO didn't really get into books until she was almost a year. Before that she just wanted to chew on them, but now she points me to the couch or floor several times a day and asks for books. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/books-in-the-bedtime-routine#post-2232260 Thu, 09 Jul 2015 21:55:01 +0000 mrsbubbletea 2232260@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I always feel like such a failure when I try to read books to my baby. In general he just wants to play with/eat them. I know that it's good for him to handle books any way, and he's just being developmentally appropriate. I also know the actual story doesn't matter it's all about talking and language.<br /> But it's so frustrating! It doesn't help that our bedtime routine often starts too late and he gets melty down by the end. I need to be better about staying earlier. I just feel frustrated and sad because I am away for bedtime 4 evenings per week anyways with my work schedule and even though I've shared what I do no one else really tries to do it the same.</p> <p>As usual this turned into a vent post! Love my hellobee boards for that reason. </p>