Waking up multiple times in the middle of the night is not my favorite thing (if you know me then you know how much I CHERISH my sleep), but when you have a new baby that is often the reality.
While I would still never choose to wake up in the middle of the night, I do feel more motivated and excited when I have a good book to read (see this post for 30 other productive things to do while holding your baby).
I have 3 criteria for books I read while breastfeeding:
- The book needs to easily captivate me
- The book needs to not take much brain power (I rarely read non-fiction books while breastfeeding).
- The book needs to be “clean” (disclaimer: “clean,” “wholesome,” and “appropriate” are all VERY relative terms when it comes to content in books. I only like to read books that are “clean” according to my standards, which are likely very different from your standards)
Here are a few of my favorite “clean” and intriguing books to read while breastfeeding:
Anne of Green Gables by L.M. Montgomery
Whether you’ve read Anne of Green Gables one million times or never picked it up, these lighthearted books about the red-headed, passionate girl named Anne are the perfect book to keep you occupied while breastfeeding.
Harry Potter by J.K. Rowling
The Harry Potter books are classic, and that’s what makes them great to read while breastfeeding– they are intriguing and easy to read no matter how many times you have read them. And, there are 7 long books so they can entertain you for several hours of breastfeeding.
Edenbrooke by Julianne Donaldson
I have heard people rave about Edenbrooke for years, but only recently did I finally read it. I now understand why people love this delightful and wholesome romance novel set in Regency England.
Unbroken by Laura Hillenbrand
I read Unbroken while running cross-country in high school, and was enthralled by the intense story of the Olympic runner, Louis Zamperini, and his unbelievable experiences as a soldier in WWII.
The Boys in the Boat by Daniel James Brown
Ever since reading Boys in the Boat, I have dreamed of visiting the place where the book takes place in Washington. This inspiring book about the University of Washington rowing team preparing to compete in the 1936 olympics is both engaging and moving.
The Printed Letter Bookshop by Katherine Reay
The Printed Letter Bookshop was the first book by Katherine Reay that I read, and I immediately became a fan. The young attorney, Madeline, inherits everything (including a bookshop) from her estranged aunt. This book has themes of forgiveness and redemption with just the right amount of romance for my liking.
The Austen Escape by Katherine Reay
The Austen Escape is set in the present day where the engineer, Mary, travels with her best friend to Bath, England for a historical getaway. Just like her other novels, I love Katherine Reay’s style; she includes an intriguing story, the theme of reconciliation, and ties in a love story.
Lizzy & Jane by Katherine Reay
Lizzy & Jane is about two sisters named after the famous Elizabeth and Jane Bennet from Pride and Prejudice. The modern-day Lizzy leaves her restaurant in New York City to care for her sister, Jane, who is undergoing chemotherapy. I loved this book and will never get sick of Katherine Reay’s style.
The Hiding Place by Corrie ten Boom
I read The Hiding Place for school, but it is so inspiring and engaging that I could read it again and again. This is a true story about Corrie ten Boom, who risks her life to help the Jews escape during WWII.
Fairest by Gail Carson Levine
Fairest, written by the same author of Ella Enchanted, is a re-telling of Snow White.
The Mysterious Benedict Society by Trenton Lee Stewart
The Mysterious Benedict Society (and its sequels) were my absolute favorite books as a child. It tells the story of 4 gifted orphans who work together to complete a secret mission.
Serpent Tide by K.L. Fogg
These books about Wesley’s adventures and discoveries absolutely captivated me when I was in elementary school, and they are just as exciting to me today.
The Goose Girl by Shannon Hale
Based on the Brothers Grimm fairy tale, The Goose Girl is about the princess Ani whose identity is usurped while she is traveling to the neighboring town to marry the prince.
Miss Buncle’s Book by D.E. Stevenson
Miss Buncle’s Book is a charming story about a woman who uses people from her own town as characters in a new book she writes, but unexpectedly the events in her book begin happening in real life.
The Forgotten Garden by Kate Morton
Nell, born in the early 1900s, finds out when she is 21 years old that she is adopted. She seeks to find answers to where she came from but passes away before she completes the mystery. Cassandra, Nell’s granddaughter, completes the mystery for her.
Conclusion
Feeding a new baby can take up several hours of your day, and it can be hard to find ways to stay occupied. These books are all engaging, effortless to read, and clean, making them the perfect books to read while nursing a new baby.
What book would you add to the list? Head over to Instagram and let me know!
As a young mom, it can be so easy to waste away the hours on your phone. If you want to make a plan to align your media use with your goals, then sign up to create a personal media plan below and it will walk you through step-by-step 🙂
