Sleep when the baby sleeps & chores can wait - theory vs practice

I did a mixture really. Some days I would do chores/shower/eat, some days I would sleep. Depends what I felt I needed to do more. Most days chores/eating won out though as I couldn't relax enough to sleep knowing the washing needed doing. Sleep deprivation just had to be coped with.

Its hard to find the right balance but from about 6-8 weeks I could start putting my DC's down more when awake (neither were a fan of being put down or the sling though). I could get small bursts of like 5-10 mins throughout the day that would add up to being able to get quite a bit done while they were awake.

Sleep when the baby sleeps is the worst bit of parenting advice. It's just not physically possible for most people and if you are on your own then you need to crack on with other stuff.

Have a look at wake windows, your baby should really probably only be awake for 45 mins at that age. The more time they sleep, the more time you have. Don't do anything you can do when the baby is asleep that you can do when they are awake. And just know that it gets easier.

I was so tired all the time that I had to try to sleep when DD was asleep. I did housework when she was awake and at her bouncer. I took her and the bouncer to the bathroom when I wanted a quick shower. Or I just waited until DH was home.

Baby in a carrier. You just have to be tired.

Yanbu. I was always too stressed to nap when mine slept. I've not napped since I've had dc's.
I did prioritise a decent lunch though. Then laundry and a little tidy up.

At that age with our first child DH was back at work but basically did all the things you are describing. So during the day I just looked after the baby and sorted my meals, if I could do the odd but of tidying that was a bonus. Sorting washing and hoovering etc I did generally do as it could be done standing up with the sling on, which I used a lot. But if I did nothing so be it. When your DH gets home he probably needs to eat and then do an hour of housework, and that should tide you over. He needs to do the washing.

Are you able to do some laundry while baby is awake? Or are they quite fussy to put down? Can be so hard to juggle. I would use a baby carrier a lot when mine were small to try and get things done. It's a very long work day for your husband which doesn't help either

Chores can be done when baby's awake in a sling/bouncer listening to some music (to occupy them from crying if they're that way inclined (2 of my 3 wouldn't like being put down but music helped sometimes )) Small bursts of 5 minutes jobs. Chuck something in the oven for lunch that needs no input except taking out when cooked. Have a mugshot. Have a pot noodle. Warm up some homemade soup or shove some toast in the toaster.
Take the bouncer in the bathroom when you shower. They'll like the sound of the water.
Try to get things done when they're awake, then when they're asleep you may find time to relax!
Washing up can wait. Chucking a load into the washing machine shouldn't take long, if you have a dryer even better, if not - I'd invest.
Nothing has to be perfect. You just have to get through as best you can and be kind to yourself ❤️
Some days you'll achieve loads and others will be spent just staring at your baby. Both are good days.

I was so sleep deprived from night wakings that napping when the baby naps was how I survived. Even with DC2 and DC3, I would try and coordinate one nap a day when we all slept at the same time.

I did take the easy way of bunging a load of washing in and transferring it straight to the tumble dryer and then just folding it and putting the basket on the stairs to go up whenever. I would put a bouncy seat thing in the kitchen when I cooked. I tended to bath rather than shower, baby in the bath with me then handed to DH to massage and dry off while I relaxed before feeding to sleep.

Not everyone manages naps but I still enjoy the odd nap and my 3 are teenagers now.

Don't be afraid to put the baby down for 5 mins while you put a wash on.

I think a balancing act tbh. Mine are 6 and 2 now and I do as many chores as I can while they are awake, leaving more time to do what i want, be it sleeping or watching TV. My youngest still naps so I generally relax when he does sleep.

When younger mine needing a lot of attention, but were better in the sling, leaving my hands free to do things like cooking or hanging out laundry.

And there are some chores that can't wait, I always prioritized cooking meals and laundry, but would let other things slide. You gotta eat and its too cold in the UK to be naked!

Can you put baby in a soft sling and do some chores that way?

It's enraging because sleep when the baby sleeps suggests you can also sleep any time of day. On the other hand, you probably can't sleep when the baby's awake so there isn't any other bloody time!

That's a long day - could DH WFH a bit or you plan to move nearer work? I imagine he's not helping that much at night?

If you can afford it, have a cleaner come to help.