When should you introduce babies to books? Raisingkids.co.uk's guest expert Opal Dunn offers some advice.

Raisingkids member's question
Help! I hear so much conflicting advice about when to start reading to my baby. One of my friends started reading to her child almost as soon as she was born, and other people say that there's no point until they are old enough to show an interest in books of their own accord. I don't want to seem like a 'pushy parent' but is there a 'right age' to introduce them to reading? At the moment, all my 6 month-old does with books is chew them.

Opal Dunn's reply
There isn't a right age to start reading to babies as they all develop differently at different rates. This is especially noticeable between boys and girls, so it is better not to make comparisons between sexes. Try not to be too influenced by what others mothers say about their own baby's progress as what matters is what you feel is right for you and your baby and to link this to professional advice.

Reading a book for a baby is a different and more complex experience than playing with a toy. Babies appear to get most from a book experience when they are ready for you to share a book with them. Readiness includes being able to share managing a book physically: - a book has to be held the right way up, it has to be opened and pages have to be turned. All new things for baby to learn and necessary for 'shared reading'!

I find it best to introduce book experiences once babies begin to sit up - somewhere from about 5, 6 or 7 months onwards. By then babies have more body control and can more easily manage the physical activities involved in sharing a book. Like many adults, most babies seem to find it easier to focus their eyes on a book when they are in a sitting up position.

Let baby snuggle up to you as you read a book turning the pages together. You may feel it better not to read the text to begin with but to talk about the things you see on the page and relate them to experiences baby has enjoyed. Each time you re-introduce the same book, you will find that baby will look at it for a longer time.

Sharing is not being pushy as baby gains so much from the experience and loves having your un-divided attention. If you share a regular 'Book Time' when you think baby is ready to enjoy it, baby will begin to love books and will pick up a lot of new language from your chatter. Baby will soon let you know if you are too pushy as baby's eyes will wander and interest in the book has gone until next time!

If you show baby that you keep the books in a special accessible Book Shelf, baby may shuffle or crawl over to take a book and try to 're-read' what you have shared. Book browsing of previously shared books is important, as it is another form of developmental play. You'll find that sharing books together is a warm bonding experience.Sharing is also the key to successful book experiences at this age. Imagine what rich experiences babies miss if you leave books 'until they are old enough to show an interest in books of their own accord'!

If your 6 month old baby only chews books at the moment, his foremost need is obviously a toy that he can chew in order to help relieve the pains of cutting new teeth. Once your baby is over teething pains, he will get back to books again especially if you share the warmth of a 'Book Time'.