Living with a newborn can turn even the neatest woman’s house into a wreck if she’s not careful, but you’ll be surprised how much you can get done when you maximize the time that you have. Here are some strategies for keeping up with the housework when you have a baby.
Baby Wearing
Housework can be pretty entertaining for your baby when he has front row seats. Strap him on with a sling or carrier and do activities that do not require too much bending over. Hanging clothes, vacuuming and going through mail are a few things that are easy to do with a baby strapped to your body.
Floor Time
The perfect time to unload the dishwasher is while my son plays on the floor in the kitchen. I set up a play area with a blanket and a few toys. He enjoys playing and watching me walk back and forth between the dishwasher and the cabinets. I often use this time to teach him the names of all the things in the kitchen. By the time he can talk, he’ll know the difference between a meat fork and a salad fork!
Don’t (Always) Sleep When Your Baby Sleeps
Use one nap to do the things you just can’t do when your baby is awake. I like to get a meal going in the slow cooker, throw in a load of laundry, pay my bills, or clean the bathrooms.
5 Minute Pickup
Every time your baby goes down for a nap or bedtime, use the first five minutes to pick up a room before going on to something else. Five minutes here and five minutes there can really make a difference. Plus, five minutes is not overwhelming.
Ask for Help
Don’t be afraid to ask a friend or family member to help. You can take turns taking care of the baby while the other works on a project, or you can tackle something together while the baby naps. I always put off my shopping trips for the times when my mom comes to visit because it’s so much easier to grocery shop with a buddy when you have a little one to look after.
Use Cleaning Shortcuts
Keep hangers in the laundry room to hang up clothes as you pull them from the dryer, rather than folding them. Fill up a sink with hot soapy water while you cook to throw in pots and pans as you dirty them. After dinner, lightly wipe with a dishcloth and rinse, or load into the dishwasher without scrubbing. Line baking sheets with Aluminum foil so you don’t have to wash them every time. As you walk around the house with your baby, grab one item that is out of place at a time and put it away with your free hand. Scrub soap scum while you are in the shower. There are many shortcuts you can take throughout the day to keep your house clean without cutting into your time or taking you away from spending time with your baby.