New mothers often have a major dilemma on their hands as they recover from their birth. This is the difficulty of handling the household while juggling the responsibilities of a new parent. Fortunately, there are ways to make it easier for you.
Here are some great tips on how you can properly take care of your household:
Identify the Priorities
One of the first things you should do is to sit down and start making priorities when it comes to household chores. Some things need doing while others can be delayed. This is where prioritizing tasks is important. Identify essential tasks that you need to do and put them on the top of the list. When you start doing your household chores, they should be at the top of the list.
For example, a consistent priority should be the cleanliness of your home. A dirty home can be a health hazard. For example, dirty bedsheets can irritate your skin. Ensuring that you always have clean sheets can avoid that.
Make a Schedule
With your priorities straightened out, you should then arrange a schedule for your activities. This can be more than just what you will do. For example, babies nap a lot. This can range from three to two naps a day. If you can identify their prime napping time, they can become the ideal periods for you to do a lot of chores. Work out a schedule that gives you the time you need to do all that needs to be done.
Be Willing to Let Others Do Their Part
A lot of moms have this image of themselves that they can do anything and should do everything. This is a viewpoint that is often seen in media and is a big mistake. Taking on everything will end up with you too tired to do anything effectively. You should be willing to let others help you. If you have a husband or a partner, they should be willing to step up and help you in maintaining your household.
Even a few chores done by them can go a long way. Additionally, if you have other children, they might be willing to help you out a bit. Assign them simple chores and they can surprise you in how effective they can be.
Hire Some Help
Once you acknowledge that you need help, you shouldn’t limit yourself to your circle of family and friends. If you have the money, you can hire a variety of professionals who would be willing to help you out. A good choice of someone to hire is a professional house cleaner. Have them come every other day and your house will look fabulous.
You can also leave lawn care and maintenance to the professionals. Look for jobs around the house that you can have an expert do and pay for it. They can be worth it as long as they lessen your workload.
Set Aside Some Time for Yourself
One thing you have to remember is to give yourself a break. While there might be a lot of things to do, you should never forget about yourself. Set aside short breaks for yourself so that you can center yourself. For example, it is worth taking a break of 15 minutes every couple of hours of housework. This lets you rest a bit and recharge. Have a snack or some quiet time in the privacy of your bedroom. You can even take an even longer break if you are feeling really tired.
Get a Baby Carrier
An essential for the post-birth period is a baby carrier. It allows you to go around the house and do things without needing to worry about the baby. Hands-free baby carriers are very efficient and can allow you added flexibility. There are also a variety of models available. Some allow for nursing as you work while others position your baby in better positions.
For example, if you need your front free, then having your baby on your back can be very effective. They are also very affordable so you can experiment with them a bit. It will take a bit of practice but you should get used to them quickly.
It can be hectic around the home after birth. With all the responsibilities and duties involved, it can be a challenge to ensure that everything is running smoothly in your home. The tips above should help make things a lot easier for you as you welcome a new member to your family.
