You may have heard this stat before, but if not, prepare to be astounded: a woman spends approximately 1,800 hours breastfeeding in the first year (according to a 2018 Forbes article). As romantic as it sounds to spend every one of those hours fully present with your baby, the reality is that many of us spend at least some of that time…scrolling. Which makes that 1,800-hour number feel even more staggering.

If you’re looking for a more life-giving way to fill those hours, try swapping the endless scroll for an audiobook. (A physical book works too, but hands-free reading has its perks when you’ve got a baby across your lap.) Here are seven feel-good listens to keep you entertained, inspired, and nourished through those long nursing sessions.

1. Anxious People — Fredrik Backman 
A bank robbery gone wrong. A room full of strangers. A story that’s equal parts absurd, tender, and unexpectedly profound. Fredrik Backman has a gift for turning chaotic scenarios into love letters to humanity, and the audiobook narration brings each character vividly to life. You’ll laugh, you’ll tear up, and you’ll definitely think about it long after.

2. Remarkably Bright Creatures — Shelby Van Pelt
If you didn’t think an octopus could become one of your favorite fictional characters, think again. This warm, quirky novel follows an unlikely friendship between a widowed aquarium worker and a surprisingly insightful giant Pacific octopus. The dual narrators make this one especially delightful in audio format.

3. The Reading List — Sara Nisha Adams
Set in a small London library, this book follows a mismatched group of people whose lives are unexpectedly connected through a shared list of books. It’s heartfelt, hopeful, and a gentle reminder of how stories can pull us through hard seasons. Perfect for slow, quiet afternoons.

4. Great Big Beautiful Life — Emily Henry
Emily Henry is a master of witty banter and characters you want to be friends with. This one is both tender and uplifting—a great listen when you want to feel wrapped up in a story that balances humor with genuine heart.

5. The House in the Cerulean Sea — TJ Klune
Imagine Mary Poppins meets X-Men in the most wholesome way possible. This charming fantasy follows a caseworker sent to investigate an orphanage for magical children, only to discover love, belonging, and joy in the most unexpected places. The audiobook is pure delight.

6. The Guncle — Steven Rowley
Patrick, a retired sitcom star, unexpectedly finds himself the guardian of his young niece and nephew. It’s funny, tender, and beautifully explores grief, family, and found joy. The narration has perfect comedic timing but also lands the emotional beats.

7. The Authenticity Project — Clare Pooley
A green notebook left in a café sets off a chain of events connecting a group of strangers, each telling their truth. It’s charming, relatable, and reminds you that vulnerability can lead to the best kinds of surprises—something new parents know well.