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From One Mom to Another: What to Watch & Read During Maternity Leave
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items Maternity leave comes with a lot of feeding sessions, contact naps, late nights, and quiet moments at home. From one mom to another, I put together some comforting shows, binge-worthy series, and books to keep you company through this season.
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Sections
6
Old-School Comfort Shows
When Mom Just Needs To Laugh
Friendship, Motherhood & Life Shows
Cozy Shows When You Want to Escape
When Baby Is Sleeping & You Want Something GOOD
Throwback Shows Worth Rewatching
Old-School Comfort Shows
Perfect for feeding sessions, contact naps, and those days when you want something familiar and comforting.
This is my cozy, curl-up-on-the-couch pick. The small-town feel, family drama and endless conversations make it so easy to get lost in. Perfect for those long newborn feeding sessions when you want something comforting playing in the background.
Gilmore Girls (TV Series 2000–2007)
If maternity leave has you craving a little drama that has absolutely nothing to do with diapers try this one. Secrets, friendships, marriages and plenty of “WHAT?!” moments. You’ll tell yourself one episode…and suddenly you're three episodes in.
Desperate Housewives (TV Series 2004–2012)
If you somehow missed this one, maternity leave might be your chance to finally start it. There are SO many episodes, which is exactly what you need during those endless feeds and contact naps. Just be prepared to get emotionally attached.
Grey's Anatomy (TV Series 2005– )
When Mom Just Needs To Laugh
Because sometimes Mom doesn’t need advice—she just needs a good laugh. This section is filled with funny, feel-good shows and easy watches for those moments when you finally get a little time to yourself. Perfect for maternity leave, nap time, late-n...
A great “I don't want to think, just make me laugh” show. The parenting chaos hits differently once you're sitting there with a baby in your arms.
Modern Family (TV Series 2009–2020)
Easy episodes, ridiculous workplace drama and something you can watch even when you're half paying attention because baby has decided sleep is optional.
The Office (TV Series 2005–2013)
One of those underrated shows that's perfect when you're exhausted. Short episodes, funny characters and enough workplace chaos to distract you from the pile of laundry you're pretending not to see.
Superstore (TV Series 2015–2021)
Give this one a few episodes and you might end up loving this completely chaotic family. Funny, warm and surprisingly sweet—exactly the kind of easy comfort watch I want during maternity leave.
Watch Schitt's Creek
From one mom to another —if you need something funny during those long maternity-leave days, Derry Girls is such a fun escape. The episodes are easy to watch, the friendships are chaotic, and the humor gives you a much-needed laugh between feeds, nap... Perfect for those moments when baby finally settles and Mom just needs to switch off, laugh, and enjoy something for herself.
Derry Girls (TV Series 2018–2022)
Friendship, Motherhood & Life Shows
Sometimes you just need a show that feels like a conversation with a good friend. This list is filled with comforting, funny, emotional, and relatable shows about friendship, motherhood, relationships, family, and navigating real life. Perfect for q...
This one hits differently after becoming a mom. It’s funny, messy and sometimes painfully relatable—from careers and relationships to the parts of motherhood people don't always say out loud.
Watch Workin' Moms
Funny, emotional, romantic and completely over-the-top in the best way. There's motherhood, family, love and plenty of unexpected drama to keep you clicking “next episode.”
Jane the Virgin (TV Series 2014–2019)
Maybe don't start this one on an already emotional postpartum day. It's beautiful, but keep the tissues close. Family, parenting, marriage and all the complicated parts of loving people.
This Is Us (TV Series 2016–2022)
Cozy Shows When You Want to Escape
Sometimes you just need a show that helps you switch off, get comfortable, and forget about the never-ending to-do list.
These are my go-to cozy, comforting shows for those “I need a little escape” moments—perfect for quiet evenings, lazy weekends, ...
Small town, beautiful scenery, romance and just enough drama. This is the kind of show I'd put on during an evening feed when I want my brain to go somewhere peaceful for a while.
Virgin River
Friendship, family, relationships and small-town life. It's gentle enough for a tired-mom watch but still gives you enough drama to keep you interested.
Sweet Magnolias
Baby finally asleep? Mom gets the TV. Gorgeous outfits, romance, gossip and drama this is your “I need to escape into somebody else's world tonight” pick.
Bridgerton (TV Series 2020– ) - Full cast & crew
When Baby Is Sleeping & You Want Something GOOD
Baby is finally asleep, the house is quiet, and you have a little time for YOU. These are the shows worth staying awake for—good stories, plenty of drama, mystery, romance, and those “just one more episode” moments. Grab a snack, get comfy, and enjoy your well-earned mom time before the next wake-up.
Save this for when you're awake enough to actually follow the story. It's the kind of show where one episode quickly turns into “okay…just ONE more.
The Lincoln Lawyer
Mystery without feeling too heavy. It's funny, clever and has just enough suspense to keep you guessing. A fun change when you've watched enough romance and family dramas.
Only Murders in the Building (TV Series 2021– )
One for mom after baby goes down. Funny, grown-up, romantic and easy to binge. Sometimes you need a show that's simply about adults figuring out relationships—not babies, bottles or bedtime routines.
Nobody Wants This (TV Series 2024– )
Throwback Shows Worth Rewatching
Sometimes maternity leave calls for a show you already know and love. These throwback favorites bring all the nostalgia, familiar characters, laughs, romance, and drama—perfect for late-night feeds, contact naps, or those quiet moments when you just want something comforting without having to concentrate too hard.
Sometimes you don't need a new show—you need an old favorite. Put it on during a 2 a.m. feed and enjoy something familiar when everything else about newborn life feels completely new.
Friends (TV Series 1994–2004)
A little friendship, fashion, dating and nostalgia when you want to remember there is a whole world outside your house. Definitely one of those “this is MOM'S show” picks.
Sex and the City (TV Series 1998–2004)
If you watched this years ago, maternity leave is the perfect excuse for a rewatch. The music, relationships and ridiculous amount of drama will take you straight back.
One Tree Hill (TV Series 2003–2012)
Pure throwback comfort. Teen drama, relationships and nostalgia—perfect when you want something easy that reminds you of a completely different stage of life.
The O.C.