Looking Back - First books for a newborn baby

Of course when you're holding your newborn baby in your arms your first thought isn't to read them a story! And it's quite a few months before you start to think about books but it really is never to early to start with the ritual of holding a book and turning the pages.

For newborn babies you can get some really lovely high contrast cloth books which help them focus their eyes and can capture their interest for ages. This First Focus Cloth Book from Ladybird is a classic that has been around for a very long time. It really works too! My daughter was completely transfixed by it when she was tiny. You can also attach it to the bars of your cot/buggy/baby gym.

This one by Jo Lodge for Baby Campbell Books is also a lovely example and a great first toy!

There are some great buggy books for this age group which can really help to soothe a young baby. I remember a fractious car journey which was saved by this book! This Baby Touch Star book is also from Ladybird.

The Amazing Baby range from Templar is well worth looking at for tiny babies as well. Although I'll cover them in another blog since they are more suited to slightly older babies.

It's also well worth building up your stock of nursery rhymes for newborns as well. Crooning a lullaby or nursery rhyme is a great way to soothe your baby and it's nicer for you if you have a selection to choose from, rather than just frantically singing 'Twinkle, Twinkle, little star' over and over again. Ok - so I've been there. At four in the morning it can be hard to dredge them up from your sleep-deprived memory!