Awesome bedtime books for babies

Ask any of our sleep consultant about their children’s bedtime routines, and they’ll tell you that storytime is a key component. Snuggling up with a good book is a perfect activity for bonding and winding down before sleep. Since variety is the spice of life, we’ve rounded up some selections to add to your reading queue. 

A couple of notes: 

1. We’ve stuck to board books for this list because we know how delicious books can appear to curious (and teething!) babies. Board books can usually handle being chewed on and thrown across the room.

2. Let’s be real. At this age, most babies aren’t too picky about their reading material. Many are content to just cuddle, look at some pictures and hear their parent’s voice. Sometimes the most important thing about choosing a bedtime book for a baby is that mom or dad stay entertained so that they don’t nod off on the job!

Check out some of our favorites:

 Brainy Books

100 First Words for Little Geeks by Familius and Kyle Kershner

This hilarious “geek baby” primer is packed with important concepts to eventually expand your child’s vocabulary and keep you amused in the meantime. Every baby will learn dog and cat, but yours will also know “warp core” and “inconceivable!”   Essential material for all little nerds in training.

Also check out: 100 First Words for Little Geniuses and 100 First Words for Little Artists in the same series.

The Classics

Goodnight Gorilla by Peggy Rathman

Wordless picture books like this one are the perfect option for parents who like to change things up at storytime. Since there aren’t any words, it’s up to you to create the narrative. Have a lot of energy? Tell the story with tons of detail. Exhausted? Just point out what that cute little mouse is doing on every page.  

Also check out: We like classics with words too. The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle and Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See? By Bill Martin Jr./Eric Carle are great bedtime reads.

Fun to read

The Bear Snores On by Karma Wilson and Jane Chapman

While all of the Bear books in this series are a delight, the first one is our favorite. We love how easily the lines of the story roll off the tongue. The illustrations are beautiful; and the cast of animal characters give parents plenty of room to use a variety of funny voices should they feel the desire, ahem...

Also check out: If you’re looking for fun, quick reads, Nighty-Night by Leslie Patricelli and any Sandra Boyton book will do. We especially love The Going to Bed Book and Pajama Time!

What are your favorites?

Which books would you add to the list? Visit us on Facebook or Instagram and share your favorite bedtime stories for babies. We’re always looking for great book recommendations.