Please or to access all these features

Add post

Watch this thread

Save thread

Start a new thread

Flip thread

Hide thread

My feed

Active Unanswered threads

Getting started FAQ's

Unanswered threads Acronyms Talk guidelines

Hide shortcut buttons

Talk

Parenting

For free parenting resources please check out the Early Years Alliance's Family Corner.

Flip

1 2

Original poster

Random, but how can I continue my love of reading when the baby's born?

26 replies

BeautifulLiar · 22/10/2015 16:46

I've always loved reading, but when my three other DC were born I seemed to lose all opportunity/motivation to read. Also with the baby in our room for 6 ish months I can't really put the lamp on!

I've got back into books and with a slightly bigger age gap this time I'm hoping I'll be able to carry on. It's one hobby I've got left as DH works away and I've had to give up ones outside the home. Any way how?

Disclaimer: I know, I know, I'll probably be far too shattered to give a shit about novels!

OP posts:

Are your children’s vaccines up to date?

Set a reminder

ouryve · 22/10/2015 16:47

Kindle with a backlight? easier to read one handed, too.

Original poster

BeautifulLiar · 22/10/2015 16:49

Thanks for answering, will check how much they are as I already have a kindle (very first version with no light!)

OP posts:

BertieBotts · 22/10/2015 16:52

You can get cases with lights for the original kindle, that might make more sense.

I sometimes read blog posts instead of actual books these days - I use an app called Feedly which you can add all sorts of blogs and feeds to.

It's not the same as books though :)

Interested in this thread?

Then you might like threads about these subjects:

Families General parenting

Original poster

BeautifulLiar · 22/10/2015 16:57

Thanks Bertie! I have actually gone off the Kindle as I was addicted to it during the worst of my morning sickness so it kind of reminds me of that but hopefully I'll make friends with it again!

OP posts:

ThursdayLastWeek · 22/10/2015 17:00

I used the kindle app on my iPad when DS was still in with us.
And read really easy books!

KatyN · 22/10/2015 18:01

I used to read aloud to my son when he was tiny. I was brilliant At doing poirot's accent. I didn't read as much as I would normally but it meant I could sit and read and not feel guilty for ignoring him!
If you are breas feeding I can hold my kindle in one hand?

Original poster

BeautifulLiar · 22/10/2015 18:04

Oh yeh I do have the kindle app on my phone :) and Katy I will be breastfeeding... Iike having the free hand!

OP posts:

Piratespoo · 22/10/2015 18:05

Audiobooks!!!! Download Overdrive on your phone, presumably you belong to your local library? If not, join, then once you register you can download books for free and listen with headphones, while you are up at night, while rocking baby, feeding baby...all the time!

Piratespoo · 22/10/2015 18:06

In fact, I was listening to the Hunger Games tonight while I was preparing dinner , phone on the kitchen window sill, kids in the lounge!

pluck · 22/10/2015 18:08

Definitely the backlight (which is gentler on the eyes than a smartphone/ tablet), or headphones for audiobooks!

I sometimes carry on reading after the DC are asleep, as it's so cosy and uninterrupted!

Chocolatecakefan · 22/10/2015 20:00

I second audiobooks. I listen to mine when feeding the baby, walking the dogs, driving the car, cooking etc...

ImperialBlether · 22/10/2015 20:03

I love the Kindle PaperWhite, but if you get a Kindle Fire, you can get books through the library's website.

LBOCS2 · 22/10/2015 20:11

YY, kindle paperwhite. You can turn the backlight down super low in a dark room, and nosy breastfeeding baby won't grab hold of the sticky out light and wave it around with their other hand, which is what happens with a cover + light.

BugritAndTidyup · 22/10/2015 20:17

I was going to suggest the Paperwhite and/or an audible subscription but see they've both been suggested.

Also IKEA do a clip on light which I used for night feeds when my son was born (this was before I got the Paperwhite), which meant I could stop turfing DH out of bed to turn the light on so I could read.

BugritAndTidyup · 22/10/2015 20:20

It's a desk type light by the way, not for clipping onto the kindle. Although you can get those too as well as special headband lights that you wear on you head. Cheaper option but I still recommend the paperwhite

Original poster

BeautifulLiar · 22/10/2015 20:54

Thanks everyone, Paperwhite looks to be about £80, does that sound right?

OP posts:

bimandbam · 22/10/2015 21:03

I have an original kindle. I had the little clip on lights for a while but they were a pain when the battery was going. I.paid about £20 for the proper case with a light from amazon and it is fabulous. Been going strong for about 2 years now. Wouldn't be without it.

Dd has a kindle fire which I didn't like as it was very glarey.

maamalady · 22/10/2015 21:15

I used to read fanfiction on my phone (or download to my kindle) when DD was tiny - not very highbrow, but entertaining and (usually) not very challenging. Since she was about six months I've been back to real books, though - I read when she's napping and when I go to bed. Also sometimes she happily plays by herself so I try to sneak in half a chapter here and there! It seems to be rubbing off on DD, she's 15 months and her favourite game is thrusting books at people in an imperious fashion and demanding they be read to her... :)

I'm expecting DC2 in the spring, and hoping my rekindled book love doesn't get squashed too much. Maybe I'll have to settle with reading The Tiger Who Came To Tea fifteen times a day with DD until DC2 is a bit bigger...

Sparrowlegs248 · 25/10/2015 21:04

I read actual books both while DS is bf and when I am in bed. Going to bed shortly, DS is in my room on my bed and isn't disturbed by the light at all.

tumbletumble · 25/10/2015 22:08

OP, come and join us on the 50-book challenge thread in the fiction section for inspiration and recommendations.

ohthegoats · 25/10/2015 22:28

I read a book a week between October last year and May this year - breastfeeding + kindle = lots of chance to read. Couldn't have done it with a book due to needing two hands.

Original poster

BeautifulLiar · 26/10/2015 22:15

Ooh tumble I will do! :)

Ohthegoats - good point re one hand!

OP posts:

BathshebaDarkstone · 26/10/2015 22:17

Read while bfing.

DinosaursRoar · 26/10/2015 22:19

definately join the 50 books!

Kindle with light, there's lots of time with a little one to read a few pages here and there. Just make sure nothing that involves overly complex plots or historical books where characters get a new title half way through and I read a whole chapter thinking this is a new character, rather than an old one that's just been made a Duke

pootypootwell · 26/10/2015 22:26

If you're breastfeeding, that can be a good time to read. I've found that feeding side lying is particularly good as it leaves both hands free to hold a book! You do need to be careful not to drop on baby's head thougjh! I've read all the GoT books in this way since my seven month old was born.

Flip

1 2