In the magical journey of parenthood, every moment counts — even those before your baby’s arrival. New from Mayo Clinic Press, “Bedtime Book for Bump” is a lyrical poem that expectant parents to read aloud to their unborn child. It’s a heartfelt invitation to connect, bond, and nurture the precious relationship between parent and baby.
We reached out to Dr. Kimberley Bennett (@the_psychologists_child) — writer of the introduction of the book — to answer questions about this book and the importance of reading to children before they are born.
Who is this book for? What can readers take away from this book?
This is a beautiful book for any expectant parent who wants to create gorgeous rituals with their new baby during pregnancy and after their baby is born.
Apart from using this book, what are ways that parents can bond with their babies before birth?
Sometimes it is not until our baby is born and we meet that tiny human that we think “Oh my, it was you in there all along!” Early pregnancy in particular can feel a little abstract, so I think anything that helps a parent to process the idea that they are having a baby can really help with bonding, like buying that first onesie, keeping a pregnancy journal, or decorating the nursery.
I remember being pregnant with my son and around the time that he started to get really active it hit me that I was carrying around another person with me everywhere that I went. I loved feeling his kicks as I sat in meetings, talking to him as I drove around in the car, or playing music in my kitchen knowing he could listen to it, too.
What is the science behind pregnancy and sound?
By the third trimester of pregnancy, the auditory system of the baby is well-developed enough to perceive sounds from the outside world. The baby will hear not only the birthing parent’s heartbeat and blood flow, but also sounds from the outside world like voices and music. But babies have a preference for the birthing parent’s voice because it is the one they are most familiar with.
Is it important to read to your child before birth?
Reading to babies in utero can promote bonding between parents and their baby. The sound of the parent’s voice becomes comforting and familiar to the baby, helping to strengthen the emotional connection between them.
Studies suggest that exposure to language in utero may play a role in early language development. Research indicates that newborns show a preference for the language or languages they heard during pregnancy, suggesting that prenatal auditory experiences contribute to language learning. Babies who are exposed to more language in utero tend to have better language skills later in life.
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