Seven tiny scripture habits for mums with no spare minutes
Seven small, realistic ways to keep God's word close in your baby's first year, from the changing mat to the pram walk. No long devotions required.
By PreggieLover 4 min read
Tiny habits work because they hitch a ride on things you already do. You already change nappies many times a day. You already push the pram, wash bottles and rock a baby to sleep. Attach a moment of scripture to one of those, and it can become part of the rhythm of your day without needing a single extra minute.
Here are seven ideas. Do not try all seven. Choose one that makes you smile, try it for a week, and see how it fits.
1. The changing mat verse
Write one short verse on a card and tape it to the wall above the changing mat. Every nappy change, read it once, out loud or in your head. Change the card each week or each month. By the end of the year you will have spent time with dozens of verses, one nappy at a time.
2. The audio Bible feed
Night feeds are perfect for listening. Use one earphone and a free audio Bible app, and listen to a psalm or a short chapter. Many mums find it easier to absorb scripture by listening when their eyes are too tired to read. Keep the volume low and the screen dim so you can still hear your baby and drift back to sleep afterwards.
3. Sing it
Many scripture songs and hymns are built directly from Bible verses. Singing them to your baby is a lullaby, a prayer and a memory exercise all at once. Your little one will not mind if you forget the second verse or make up your own tune.
4. The pram walk psalm
Before a walk, read a few lines of a psalm, then carry one phrase with you as you walk. Turn it over in your mind. Look for something on your walk that connects with it: a tree, a bird, a neighbour, the sky.
5. The fridge verse
Stick one verse on the fridge at eye level. Every time you reach for milk, water or leftovers, read it. If you have older children, read it together at breakfast. It is a simple way to make God's word part of family life, the way Moses described when he told parents to talk of God's words "when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up." (Deuteronomy 6:7).
Notice how ordinary those moments are. Sitting at home. Walking. Lying down. Getting up. That is the whole of a new mum's day.
6. Text a verse
Send one verse to a friend, sister or another new mum each week. It encourages them, and it encourages you because you had to choose it. You could even start a small group chat of mums who share one verse each Monday.
7. The milestone verse
When your baby reaches a milestone, a first smile, rolling over, first tooth, write a verse next to it in their baby book or in your notes app. Over the year you will create a beautiful record of God's faithfulness alongside your child's growth, something to share with them one day.
Tips to make it stick
- Keep it short. One verse is enough. You are not behind.
- Keep it visible. If you cannot see it, you will forget it, which is perfectly normal with a baby.
- Keep it kind. If you miss a day or a week, simply start again. There is no streak to break.
- Keep it yours. Use the Bible translation and style that speaks to you.
Where to find your verses
If you are not sure where to begin, the Psalms are a wonderful place to start, because they are honest about tiredness, fear and joy. The Gospels are another, especially the moments where Jesus welcomes children and comforts the weary. You could also ask a friend from church which verse carried them through the baby years, and start a little collection.
A light for the next step
The psalmist wrote, "Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path." (Psalm 119:105). A lamp in those days did not light up a whole road. It lit up the next step or two. That is exactly what a single verse does on a tired day. It does not give you a plan for the whole year. It gives you enough light for the next feed, the next nap, the next hour.
A prayer for tiny habits
Lord, I do not have much time, but I want Your word close to me. Let one verse at a time light my way today. Plant it deep in my heart, and in my baby's heart too as they grow. Amen.
Frequently asked questions
How can I read the Bible with a newborn?
Attach a short verse to things you already do, like nappy changes or night feeds. Audio Bibles, verse cards and singing scripture songs all work well with a baby.
Where should I start reading the Bible as a new mum?
The Psalms are a good place to start because they are honest about tiredness, fear and joy. Choose one short verse at a time and keep it somewhere you will see it.
This article is for general information and encouragement, not medical advice. Please talk to your doctor or midwife about your own health and your baby's.
