Ways To Make Reading Cozy & Comforting

Ways To Make Reading Cozy & Comforting

by Stephanie Henderson Snyder

I have always found reading to be a relaxing activity. As a kid, I loved laying in bed with a good book, so much so that I would hide under the covers with a book and a flashlight when my mom said, “Lights out.” (Yes, I was that kid, and today I have the poor eyesight to prove it!) As an adult, I still love to enjoy books while I’m in chill mode – by the pool, at the beach, at home in PJ’s. 

I hope that Lucy will always find books to be a source of comfort, too (although I don’t want her eyesight to suffer as a result). We read a lot during play, but we make it a point to read before bed so that she associates reading with relaxation. 

And she definitely relaxes! Since she was 4 months old, Lucy has been a great sleeper (with some challenges around teething, sickness, growth spurts, and sleep regressions, of course). On a regular basis, she falls asleep within minutes after our bedtime routine where we are intentional about creating a soothing environment and incorporating books. 

Are you looking for ways to help your littlebit settle down? Want to know how to relax your reading routine? Here’s what we do to make reading cozy and comforting.

When reading for relaxation, we cuddle up on the couch or on Mommy’s and Daddy’s big bed. Both places are soft and comfortable and already lend themselves to relaxation. Choose a place in your home that your littlebit equates with relaxation. Maybe it’s his or her bed, a reading chair, a teepee tent, etc. You can also consider the outdoors for a place to unwind with books. On nice-weather days, cozy up at the park, the beach, or in the backyard.

Lucy loves to snuggle under blankets when we read. Allow your littlebit to bring other comfort items to the reading session. For babies, it may be a pacifier. For older kids, maybe it’s their favorite blanket or stuffed animal. Bring whatever makes your little one feel secure so that he or she connects reading with that same peaceful feeling.

Lucy requests (or demands) milk when we read. It’s comfort food for her. It gets her nice and drowsy and full so she’s totally relaxed. Maybe your little one prefers apple juice or Goldfish. Whatever his or her comfort food is, offer it during the reading session. Just be mindful about how much is being consumed, especially if it is right before bed and you’re trying to get your little one to stay dry through the night.

Reading for relaxation is much different than reading for academic purposes. It’s okay to lower the lights. Instead of having the overhead light on, use a small lamp. If your lighting has a dimmer, bring the brightness down a notch. Of course, if you or Littlebit are having trouble seeing, then let there be light. We want our babies to have a lifetime of literate success – not a lifetime of vision problems.

Let Littlebit let loose! When we read, Lucy loves to snuggle between me and Jed. She’ll even tell us to move in more closely if we’re not snuggling tightly enough. Lately, she has taken to curling up on my lap, milk cup in hand, while Jed reads aloud. This sometimes means an elbow to my abs, her weight pressing on my bladder, or milk dripping from her sippy cup; but most importantly, it means a truly content little reader. Encourage your littlebit to position himself or herself in a way that feels comfortable. And take this time to relax a little yourself, too!

It’s easy to create a soothing reading experience for your littlebit. The beauty of this is that this serenity can be replicated in other places, like at the grandparents’ house, in the carseat, in the stroller, etc. If we can get our littlebits to associate reading with comfort now, they can grow up looking to books for peace and security.

Let’s Talk Lit!

What one thing will you start doing to cozy up your reading routine?