7 Tips for Getting Housework Done with a Baby ...

When my children were newborns, I got advice from lots of different people. One of the best tips I received about getting housework done with a baby was to use my time wisely. One way that I did this was by cleaning when my babies took a nap. Of course there were times that this happened when we weren't home. There were also times that I was way too exhausted to do any cleaning. I always found however, that I could get the bulk of my chores done during nap time.

This is a tip that I got from my mom and I use it. When I can, I try hard to clean as I go. Whenever I cook dinner, I try to wash dishes as I dirty them. When I get ready in the morning, I try to make sure that I put all of my makeup and hair products away, instead of leaving them on the bathroom sink. I also try to take my dirty clothes to the laundry room, so they don’t pile up around the house.

While it’s nice to get your entire house cleaned in one session, you don’t have to. On days that I couldn't clean during nap time, I tried to space it out. Perhaps you could try cleaning in 10 or 15 minute increments. If that’s too much perhaps you could try 5 minutes. You could also try completing small tasks like unloading the dishwasher or bagging garbage and then waiting a while before doing something else.

If you’re not too exhausted, tidying up before bed can really help. It’s amazing how much you can get cleaned in 10 minutes. You can use this time to put away toys, load or unload the dishwasher, or fold a load of laundry. If you do this, be sure to stop after 10 or 15 minutes. If not you many not get the amount of sleep that you need.

This is one tip that I wish I had followed more when my children were babies. It's important to remember that we all need help from time to time and we shouldn't feel bad asking for it. Most grandmas and aunts will happily keep your baby at their house or sit with them at yours while you clean. Be sure to enlist daddy for help too. He can sit with the baby while you clean or pitch in and help with the chores too.

If your budget allows for it, perhaps you could have someone come to your home clean for you. Just having a housekeeper clean your home one day per week can make a huge difference. You could have them do basic things like dishes and laundry or they could do deep cleaning. If you have a babysitter who watches your baby in your home while you work, maybe you could ask them to do a bit of light cleaning when time allows for it.

Do you like to multitask your household chores? I have always tried to multitask housework when I can. I try to make all of my business calls while I dust. I also try to wipe down the bathroom sink while I brush my teeth. If you don't currently multitask your chores, you should consider it. Take a few minutes and think about all of the chores you could start doing at the same time.

Getting housework can be a bit overwhelming when you have a baby. It’s important to remember that it’s just a house. Do you have any tips for getting housework done with a baby that you would like to share with me? I’ll be looking forward to hearing them.