Hellobee Boards

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.