5 Must-Listen Audiobooks for New Moms: Parenting, Postpartum, and Finding Yourself Again
Written By: Dr. Alli Chisholm, PT, DPT
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If you’ve ever found yourself trying to keep a house somewhat functional, raise tiny humans, and still keep a working/creative mama brain alive… you know how precious any time to yourself is, especially if you’re like me and reading is one of your favorite pastimes.
These days, the most realistic way I can consistently finish books is by listening to them—usually while cleaning up snack crumbs or walking with the stroller and kiddos in tow. Sometimes, you can find me staying up way too late with a physical book…and then regretting it in the morning. For these reasons, listening to my favorite reads on Audible has truly become my go-to since I’ve become a mom.
Whether you’re in a season of early motherhood, entrepreneurship, returning to work, trying to keep up with a job, or just trying to feel like you again, these are the books that have inspired, grounded, and reminded me that we’re all just doing our best.
1. Hunt, Gather, Parent by Michaeleen Doucleff, PhD
If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed by the noise of modern parenting advice, this one is eye-opening. Dr. Doucleff travels to live among Maya, Inuit, and Hadzabe families to learn what Western parents might be missing.
What struck me most is how these cultures raise kind, helpful, confident kids without constant nagging or timeouts. Their approach is built on cooperation instead of control, and trust instead of fear. It’s one of those books that makes you rethink how we connect with our kids—and I’ve listened to it twice now because it’s that good (and I’m already planning on listening to it a third time as my first two are starting to grow and desiring to help more).
2. How to Keep House While Drowning by KC Davis, LPC
This is one I wish every overwhelmed parent could listen to. KC’s story of postpartum burnout, ADHD, and the shame-spiral of household “failures” hit close to home (because, like so many moms I’ve encountered, I found out I have ADHD after actually having my second child and feeling like I was failing at keeping up with “all the things”).
Her gentle message? You don’t work for your home; your home works for you.
She reframes cleaning and organizing as acts of kindness toward your future self, not measures of your worth. I found so much comfort and permission in her words—especially in seasons when the dishes pile up faster than the energy to do them (which happens way more often than I’d like to admit!).
3. The Fifth Vital Sign by Lisa Hendrickson-Jack
If you’ve struggled with infertility or secondary infertility like I did - or simply want to understand more about your health as a woman postpartum - this book is a must-listen. It’s not only about conception—it’s about understanding your menstrual cycle as a vital sign of health.
I learned so much about advocating for myself, from hormone balance to cycle tracking, and how ovulation is a window into our overall wellbeing. Listening to this helped me reconnect with my body after loss and reminded me how powerful it is to understand what’s normal for you.
👶 As you focus on healing your body and finding your footing again, you might also want something that supports your baby’s development, too. My free guide How to Help Your 0-6 Month Old LOVE Tummy Time (Even If They Cry Every Time) was made for this season — simple, supportive, and stress-free.
4. The Postnatal Depletion Cure by Dr. Oscar Serrallach
If you’ve ever wondered why you still feel exhausted long after the “postpartum period” ends, this one will feel like a warm hug and a wake-up call.
Dr. Serrallach explains how growing and nourishing a baby depletes your body’s nutrients—and why six weeks of postpartum care is nowhere near enough. It’s full of practical, compassionate strategies to restore energy, brain clarity, and mood.
This book reminded me that what I was feeling wasn’t weakness. It was depletion. And it’s completely treatable with the right support, guidance, and tools.
5. How Are You, Really? by Jenna Kutcher
This one’s part personal story, part permission slip for moms trying to balance ambition with rest. Jenna shares openly about pregnancy loss, entrepreneurship, marriage, and letting go of the pressure to “do it all.”
Her honesty about being a working mom and learning to ask for help felt so validating. I listened to it twice—once for the inspiration, and once because I needed to actually hear the reminders again.
It’s especially worth a listen if you’re a creative or business-minded mom trying to find joy and purpose beyond the hustle.
Bonus: The Harry Potter Series (because sometimes we just need comfort)
There’s something grounding about re-listening to a story you grew up with (and, for me, was obsessed with). I love turning this one on in the car between sessions with families and babies, or with my kids in the car (my first is starting to get into Harry Potter and I’m so here for it). It’s nostalgic, cozy, and brings those feel-good family moments we all crave amidst the chaos.
P.S. Did you know that Audible is creating a version of Harry Potter that will have each character narrated by a different actor (and some well-known ones, too, like Keira Knightly)? The first book in the series isn’t set to come out for awhile, but I’m already pumped.
Why Audible Is My Go-To
I’ve tried Spotify, Audiobooks, and even free library apps—but Audible is what I keep coming back to. Here’s why:
Organization: Your library is neat and easy to search, which matters when you’re juggling kids and brain fog.
Driving View: The app makes it simple to play hands-free in the car, perfect for moms always on the go.
Bookmarks & Notes: You can save favorite sections to come back to later (which is key when you’re wanting to go back to a section that may have resonated with you, but couldn’t take it in fully with having multiple other voices requesting your attention in the background).
Wide selection: From mindset and motherhood to fiction and personal development, it’s all in one place.
While Spotify has added audiobooks, it’s limited compared to Audible’s massive collection—and I find the interface less intuitive for multitasking moms.
👉If you haven’t tried it yet, you can grab a free 30-day Audible trial here!
Final Thoughts
Listening to audiobooks has been one of the simplest yet most grounding self-care practices I’ve found as a mom. It’s learning that fits into the cracks of real life—between naps, laundry, and everything in between.
If you try any of these, let me know in the comments below which one resonates most. I’d love to hear what you’re listening to lately as well.
✨ If you loved these resources but are noticing you could use more guidance for your baby’s development, check out my free guide How to Help Your 0-6 Month Old LOVE Tummy Time (Even If They Cry Every Time), or my Ultimate Milestone, Play, and Toy Guide for 0–3 Year Olds.
Both are designed to help you support your little one’s growth with confidence — no stress, no overwhelm.