Newborn babies can feel like a bit of a mystery. They eat, they sleep, they cry, and somewhere in between, you’re wondering, “Am I supposed to be doing something right now?” You already are. You are holding them, watching them, learning their cues. You are getting to know your baby. And you can read to your newborn baby as a way to grow your connection with them.
It’s easy to fall into the comparison trap early. Your friend’s baby is already smiling. Someone on Instagram has their three-week-old doing tummy time like a pro. Your mothers’ group baby is “so alert” while yours just wants to sleep on your chest. Sound familiar? Every baby arrives with their own temperament, their own preferences, and their own pace. Some newborns are wide-eyed and curious from day one. Others take a while to wake up to the world. Some want to be held constantly. Others are happy on their mat, staring at the ceiling fan.
All of this is normal. All of it is your baby showing you who they are.
Instead of asking, “Should my baby be doing more?” I invite you to ask: “What is my baby interested in right now?”
That shift changes everything. It takes the pressure off milestones and puts the focus back where it belongs: on connection, curiosity, and getting to know this brand-new little person.
How to Read to a Newborn Baby
When reading to your newborn baby, hold a book close to your baby’s face, about 20-30cm away. Talk about what you see on the page. Point things out. Name them. You don’t have to just read the words; you don’t have to read the words at all! Turn the pages slowly and give your baby time to look.
Try reading in different positions. Your baby can sit in your lap, facing you and the book; lie on their tummy on a wedge with the book propped in front of them; or snuggle into your side in side-lying on the couch or on the floor in a nest for support. You can also pop them in a nest on their back and hold the book above them.
Mixing up positions helps your baby work different muscles, even though the activity feels the same.
Why Reading to Newborns is So Good
Your baby has been listening to your voice for months. Now they get to watch your mouth move, hear you pause and change your tone, and start connecting all of that to the pictures in front of them. That’s early language happening in real time.
When your baby is in your lap, they can flick between the book and your face, which most babies love. In side-lying, their neck, shoulder, and core muscles are working to keep them steady. In a nest, they feel supported enough to relax and actually pay attention to the story instead of their jerky arms and legs.
What to Look for When Reading to Newborns
Does your baby stare at one page longer than another? What happens when you do a silly voice or a big gasp? Do they look at the book or at your face when you’re reading? Have you tried pausing mid-sentence to see if they look back to you? Do they have a favourite book already, one that makes them kick or wriggle every time you pull it out?
This short guide is an edited extract from the bestselling book by Aussie paediatric physio, Nicole Pates, Purposeful Play. With over 100 simple, research-backed baby play ideas, Nicole’s book is like a warm hug for new parents who are looking for a bit of help and reassurance that they’re doing good. ‘Cos they are.
Purposeful Play
Congratulations on your new baby! Need some warm, no-pressure advice on how to play in ways that are fun, engaging, and boost your baby’s development? Purposeful Play: From Birth to Walking is just the book for you or the new parents in your lives. Over 100 baby play ideas for growth and connection by Kids Physio, Nicole Pates.
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