How to Have a Clean House and a Happy Baby

New mothers are often overwhelmed at how to take care of day to day responsibilities while caring for their infant. As the dishes and laundry pile up, the stress level rises. I myself experience this stress on a daily basis, and would like to share some tips I have learned while attempting to be a good mother with a reasonably clean house.

You May Have to Lower Your Standards

If you had a difficult delivery, or a Cesarean Section, you may have to lower your standards a tad. It's probably not realistic to strive for a perfectly clean home, a delicious homecooked meal, organized files, and a happy, clean babe - at least not all at once. For the first few weeks, you're aiming for "good enough". Are you sticking to the floor? Do you have clothes to wear, food to eat, and dishes to eat from (paper plates count)? Congratulations. You just achieved "good enough". Anything else is extra.

Accept any help that is offered. Visitors may aimlessly ask "Is there anything I can do?" Take them up on it! Be prepared, at least mentally, with a short list of helpful tasks that guests can help with while they visit. List tasks that your partner can help with as well. Every task that someone helps with means less work for you, and more time for you and your new baby to bond.

Invest in a Sling or Other Baby Carrier

So, your infant is a few weeks old. Your help has gone on their merry way. And now it's just you, your baby, and the housework. Invest in a baby carrier. Register for one, beg or borrow one. As far as I'm concerned, this is essential baby equipment. Your newborn is biologically designed to want to be close to you, all the time. This makes getting things done a challenge. The sling will help. Put it on, pop baby in, and away you go! It will take some practice over a soft surface at first, but soon you'll be washing dishes while crooning lullabies. Babies love to be involved and close to mom. As your infant grows, he or she will begin to be interested in what you're doing, and enjoy watching you work. For now, simply enjoy being able to do things while holding baby close.

Include Baby in Your Activities

As baby grows, he or she will become more and more interested in what you are doing. You can begin to use housework as a playful time. As baby reaches the age when he can sit up with assistance, keep him near you in an infant seat while you work. You can sing and play peekaboo while folding laundry, and talk about the shapes and colors while washing dishes or chopping vegetables. Baby will enjoy this opportunity to "help", and learn while doing so.

Rest is Vital

We've all heard it. "Sleep when the baby sleeps". Sometimes, this may seem like an impossible ideal. However, it is important to your health and emotional well being to rest. Your body has just been through an extremely strenuous experience, and needs time to heal As baby grows, these restful times can be enjoyed and treasured as a calming break midday. I tried to make it a priority to take at least one nap a day with my new baby, allowing time to rest and regroup. Family naptime may grow to be a tradition in your home!