To get behind on housework with only one baby?

[Movingstressangst]

My MIL kindly watched the baby for a few hours yesterday while I caught up on housework. My DH normally does a good amount but has been ill and the house was honestly such a mess!

She was nice about it but genuinely mystified why I was struggling to do housework with only one baby when I'm not working. Is she right? Did other people find this easy?? If so, please tell me your tricks!

To be fair, I'm definitely making life harder for myself in a number of ways. Reusable nappies adding to the laundry mountain, baby led weaning incl making everything from scratch including the bread (in a bread maker, I'm not totally batshit). We go to baby groups every weekday but one.

My limit is keeping on top of the kitchen and laundry. Everything else comes when my DH takes baby out for a walk. Is it possible to do housework with an awake baby??

Don't worry about the mess right now @Movingstressangst (there will always be something else to tidy/clean - it's never ending, so if you miss it one day, it'll still be there waiting for you the next!)

Re practical advice - if you don't already have one, get a playpen in you can. Wearing the baby is great advice, but is not sustainable as the baby gets bigger, heavier and more mobile. Put a few toys like stacking cups/rings, shape sorters, a xylophone, cars/dolls in there for baby to explore - good for developing fine motor skills. Baby will learn to pull him/herself up on the bars - good for building strength/gross motor skills. I used to put my son in a playpen when I needed a shower/loo/to cook etc. I think he probably appreciated me not being in his face for a few minutes so he could explore on his own!

Also, put baby on the floor in the kitchen and give your baby a wooden spoon and a plastic mixing bowl when you are doing the washing up - you'll be surprised how long it keeps them entertained!

As they get older, your baby might want to "help" when you clean. My children LOVE using a feather duster (not sure how useful they are with it, but at least it stops them making any more mess while I am doing something else). Oldest likes to vacuum, youngest likes to use surface wipes.

There are also lots of tidy-up songs or countdown timers on YouTube. If you build it into your day, then your baby will know what is coming when the music starts (like Pavlovian conditioning!)

Also, Little Baby Bum (on netflix) was a Godsend when I needed a few minutes to do something. Counting/colour/shape songs, so kind of educational so I didn't feel too bad plonking him in front of the telly every now and then.

Really useful advice thanks!