Book goal and newborn!

[JarvisCockersRightEyebrow]

Delighted to be expecting my first baby in March. I read 65 books this year. I like setting a reading goal for each year (this year’s was 50), what do you think is a realistic goal for next year? Those of you with babies, how much reading do you do?

I’d honestly just see how it goes. I read bits when checking was cluster feeding but besides poetry I really wasn’t arsed (I read 56 books this year and I write- I really like words). I’d set no goals except enjoy the good bits (and maybe keep a bit of a diary as it’s such a specific, unique thing and they’re interesting to look back on)

My total brain fog meant I stopped reading completely for a year or so after my first. I was reading one a week before that. But if you have a happy baby that sleeps well you should beat my 0!

That’s an incredible goal! No DC here but I managed 30 this year and hoping for same again in 2022

What type of books do you read?

That's amazing!

I haven't picked up a book since DD was born in June. But my new years resolution is going to be to get back reading again.

Like pp, i think it totally depends on baby's temperament / how they like to nap and how you are feeling. I was so exhausted that mindless scrolling was all i could manage until very recently. I feel like my brain is coming back now!

It's very very dependent on your baby, how you feed them etc so hard to predict. I read more in the baby year than I thought I would - mainly because DD did an interminable breastfeed when she first woke up and it was easier to lie in bed and read and feed than get up. I mostly read things like Is breast best though

Feeding them takes absolutely hours and I found reading and online shopping on my phone was one of the few things I could do whilst feeding. I have a friend who read most of the works of Dickens whilst BFing twins

Once she was mobile I could read a lot less and that didn't improve until she was about 2.5 and able to get herself around the soft play on her own whilst I sat down with coffee and a book!

Based on my personal experience (avid reader pre-baby) - post-baby around 1!

I've always been an avid reader, once picking up a book I can't put it down till it's finished. My DS is 10 weeks old and haven't touched a single book since he was born and I miss it so much 🤣 when he's in an established bedtime routine I will go back to giving myself a bit of time to read. Good luck hope it all goes well!

I have 3DC. My book diary tells me DD1 and DD2 had no impact on my reading rate but DS send it over a cliff. It recovered eventually.

I read loads when my kids were little babies - during night feeds, daytime naps etc. Really determined readers will find a way to read which it sounds like you are, given your current rate. I think 50 is doable unless you have an unusually tricky baby.

I didn't read a single book until ds was 18 months. He was an easy going baby and I have an English degree and love reading! It's just the way it goes sometimes.

This year my goal was 52 books...reached that today. 2022 I am going for less but going for genres I never read. So its 2 books a month, female and male author in 12 different genres.

I didn't read at all when pregnant or when dd was little

I've had a book in my hand since I could pick one up. I've read 134 this year. I barely looked at a book in the first year of my daughters life. I just couldn't concentrate on anything more demanding than Mumsnet while feeding, and was too knackered the rest of the time. Take it as it comes.

I count audiobooks as reading (if it's a full unabridged book) so if you count those into your target that will help. I actually wish I'd listened to more audiobooks while feeding rather than watching so much telly.

I think the biggest factor will be breast feeding vs bottle feeding because it determines if you have a free hand for all those hours.

I would highly recommend a kindle if you don't have one already, as you can read one handed.

If you are planning on reading physical books you might find it harder to get through them than kindle books. It’s a read pain to hold a book and turn pages with one hand but I could easily use my kindle when doing night feeds and got through loads of books that way.

Audio books really helped me during the early days. Only really light stuff though as my brain couldn't handle anything more than light entertainment. Baby is now nearly 5 months old and I have tentatively started two physical books after she's in bed - one on weaning(!) and one for my own interest.

I can recommend a Kindle, OP, for ease of reading if you're breastfeeding a baby (should you be planning to breastfeed). I read so much when my DC were babies. Breastfeeding seems to take up hours and hours of the day (and night) when they are little, so ideal to read at the same time. I found a Kindle easier as I could hold it and turn the 'pages' with one hand, while holding the baby at the same time.

Sometimes if it was a really gripping book I would find myself offering the breast more often than strictly needed just so I could get some more reading done!

Sorry just seen several pp have recommended Kindles.

Brilliant thanks everyone! Super helpful. I have a kindle and I agree with the one handed thing!