What Reading Has Looked Like Lately: 1 Month Postpartum
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Before Baby: Peak Reading Era
Before I had my baby, I’d been off work for a couple of months already. And during that time? I was absolutely blasting through my TBR.
I mean… how could I not?
I was as large as a hippo, had zero energy, and was on modified bed rest.
So reading? Basically exactly what the doctor ordered.
The Reality of Reading With a Newborn
After having the baby?
Yeah. No prescription for reading around here anymore.
The first couple of weeks, I barely managed a few pages a day—if that.
When the baby slept, I was either sleeping myself or trying to get other things done.
Like feed myself. Or perform basic hygiene.
That felt slightly more important at the time than what was happening in Blue Arrow Island (check my final review of that one here).
(I’ve actually tried listening to audiobooks in the shower. Doesn’t work well. 😂)
Tiny Moments Still Count
I’m proud to say that on most days, I did read at least a little. But it was slow going.
Two pages here. Half a chapter there. Fragments.
But with my first two babies, I remember abandoning reading completely for weeks and weeks. So the fact that I didn’t this time—that I kept that piece of myself alive—is already a win.
Finding My Reading Rhythm Again
After the first couple of weeks, when we’d established a bit of a routine, I started reading a bit more.
When the baby finally fell asleep at night, I didn’t feel so exhausted that I had to immediately sleep too. My Kindle and I could cozy up together in bed for a chapter or two. I had the spoons for that.
I was also able to get up in the morning with the other kids like I used to before the birth. Listening to audiobooks while preparing breakfast and packing school lunches was part of my pre-baby routine, so I started that again.
On days when I had the energy—and when the baby allowed me to put him down—I listened while doing housework too. Even getting a load of laundry folded meant a few more pages.
Contact naps. Reading on my phone. Listening while pacing the room and bouncing the baby.
It all started to have a place again.
And I finally finished my first book postpartum during that window.
1 Month Postpartum: Getting My Groove Back
My son just turned one month old, and in the last week or so, I really feel like I’m getting my groove back.
I started reading We Who Will Die, (and was immediately hooked) which has been on my TBR for months. I’m already halfway through, and it’s only been a week. Still slower than pre-baby—but the pace is picking up.
I’ve also started ARC reading a novel that I’m really enjoying (stay tuned for that review—it’s really good!). Having a deadline for that book has actually helped me choose reading again more often, instead of defaulting to doom-scrolling TikTok.
I’m finding that sinking into a book feels like the comfort I remember. Picking up a book while the baby feeds is starting to feel natural again.
Some Days Still Look Different
There are still days I barely read a page—if any.
Sometimes I still choose the doom scroll. Or TV.
Sometimes that just feels easier. Especially on harder days with the baby.
But I’m excited about books again.
Still Me, Just Slower
I even took the time to finally start my Goodreads account and added all my 2026 reads. (I’m a book journaler at heart, obviously—tracking my reading gives me dopamine.)
And yesterday was my birthday. I celebrated by pre-ordering a special edition of a book I’m highly anticipating: The Ballad of Falling Dragons by Sarah A. Parker. It comes out later this month, and I cannot wait.
In the end, things look a little different now.
But I’m still a reader.
I’m still going to nerd out over my favorite books and authors to anyone who will listen (ask me about books at your peril).
I’m still going to annoy my partner by buying trophy versions of books I’ve already read on my Kindle.
I’m still going to obsess over stories and characters long after the book is done.
That’s just who I am.
A reader—just slower now.
Even One Page Counts
The month before I had my baby, I finished 8 books.
This last month?
Just 1.
But when it comes to being a reader?
Even 1 page counts.
🤍 Let’s Chat
What has reading looked like for you lately?
Have you been able to hold onto it in this season of life—or are you hoping to find your way back to it?
I’d genuinely love to hear from you in the comments. Your experience might be exactly what another mom needs to read today.
📖 Books I Mentioned in This Post
If you’re curious about what I’ve been reading lately:
- We Who Will Die by Stacia Stark
- The Ballad of Falling Dragons by Sarah A. Parker
- Blue Arrow Island by Brenda Rothert
📚 Follow Along With My Reading
I’ve finally started tracking all my reads on Goodreads (because of course I have—I’m a book journaler at heart 😅)
👉 Follow me here: Goodreads
✨ Want More Like This?
If you enjoyed this post, you might also like:
- Why Reading Is Self-Care for Moms (Especially When You Feel Like You’ve Lost Yourself)
- When Is It Too Much Smut?
- Why Is It So Hard to Maintain Your Hobbies Postpartum?
💌 Stay Connected
If you’re a mom who loves books (or wants to find her way back to them), you’re in the right place.
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🤍 Before You Go
If today all you managed was one page…
It still counts.
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