So - how do you clean with no DP and a baby who will not sleep

[beanlet]

And cries when you put him down/walk out of the room?

Sorry - first time mum thread, and I know it will just sound laughable to some of you. But I'm Slightly beside myself, as I have a disaster area of a house and can't work out how to do it. Do I leave DS (7 months) to cry his little heart out? Strap him to me in a sling? that works for some things but not washing up or hoovering or lots of bending over to pick stuff up.

I have no help - no nearby family or friends. Normally DH and I do it between us, but he's in the States for two weeks working.

Any advice welcome!

Can you afford a cleaner for a couple of weeks?

in teeny tiny bits. I used to concentrate on 3 things:
keeping up with the washing (dont bother with the iron)
make sure dishes are done
and make sure that where I usually sat I had one lovely clear surface next to me for my cup of tea/book.
The rest will come but a sling/backpack does really help.

How is he with a travel cot and a pile of toys?

I agree with Kitten. I try and break jobs down into 5-10 minutes chunks and do a few of those per day. for example, loading washing machine takes say 3 minutes. Change bed 5 minutes. Hoover one room, 5 minutes.

You may find that the baby is more amenable if you do the noisy jobs e.g. hoovering (or he may hate it.)

A combination of doing the essentials when he is asleep and lowering you're standards.

Do you have a bouncer chair or a playpen? Both can be moved around the house.

For 2 weeks I wouldn't worry too much.

How does your DS sleep at night ?

Could you throw in a wash and do the dishes as soon as he goes to bed and at 7mths crying for a while isn't going to do him any harm.

I guess there's not too much else to tidy upw with just the two of you at home

I agree with Kitten too. Before DC I used to think it wasn't worth bothering cleaning uless I had time to do the whole house in one go, now I think 20 mins in one go is a lot. Its amazing what can be achieved in 10 mins - takes 7 mins to strip and remake a double bed , 3 mins to empty the dishwasher

DS1 used to like being in a sling while I hoovered. It gets easier once they can sit/stand. I used to let them play in the bath while I cleaned the rest of the bathroom for example.

I used to do stupid dancing whilst walking around dusting/tidying up etc...worked a treat, made sure curtains where shut tho! This is probably a bit of 'seperation anxiety' aswell, so maybe research that and try some tips, leaving a little bit longer each time till you pick him up etc. If he is beginning to eat how about putting him in highchair with a few finger foods in the room you are in? Might keep him occupied for 10 minutes... or I had one of them net things with handle on to put food in so they get the taste, this worked really well ith my ds. x

Put a dvd/cbeebies on for 30 minutes. It won't do any harm. Or make a "nest" in the room you're cleaning with cushions and toys. Shove bleach down the loo after you've used it. Wipe the seat with a Flash wipe.

Can you put him in a buggy and wheel him from room to room?!

Put him in the highchair when you clean the kitchen.

it doesn't sound laughable to me - I can't remember getting anything done whilst ds1 was awake. He did have a long nap though. Could you concentrate on the nap part of the day, and making it work, then think about cleaning...ie: take baby for walk to get him to sleep.

These are all great suggestions THANKYOU! Yes, I've always been one to do chores in one big blitz, but it just doesn't work now.

I managed to wash up while he was sitting in his highchair waiting for his dinner to be defrosted and reheated, which was a great achievement! He's asleep now, but I have to work this evening. I'm putting a couple of loads of clothes through, and will think about the rest of the house tomorrow... Will let you know how I get on!

not ideal at 7months but I did still from time to time use a sling with my demanding dd even when she was a year old and I had specific things to do.

BTW love the stupid dancing! I do this too, to distract him from crying e.g. when I put him down to put my clothes on (yes, at the moment it's that bad. The weird thing is he goes to nursery two days a week and loves it, no problems. I wonder whether he's compensating with loads of mummy cuddles when he's with me?)

get a sling/carrier where you can carry baby on your back.
sit heim in a bouncer next to you.
give him a "task", just give him a clothh to (pretend) polish

To be honest I can't remember when you are supposed to be able to put a baby in them but my DS loved being in his baby walker in the kitchen while I dashed around manically doing as much as I could. I remember how exhausting this stage is but when he's older he won't remember or care if the house was a state! Do what you can and don't worry if things are a bit messy for two weeks. You can only do so much.

Bouncy chair in front of the washer/ dryer. Will either send them to sleep or keep them fascinated for 20 mins or so!!!

I have a carrier that I can wear on my back, keeps ds out of the way for washing up/hoovering/cooking. I also put him in a door bouncer.

Actually, I think I would put him down and let him cry sometimes - keep in sight and reassure him verbally, but let him know it's fine to be put down and nothing bad will happen.

I used a sling which was a godsend as DS2 was a velcro baby was hard work tho as I had an CS and he was a lump!

Trixy that is much better advice than my offering.

I was going to say bouncer and Hoover. It drowns the noise out

Well, I managed to tidy our bedroom today by putting DS in his cot with lots of toys. Still wailed like a banshee whenever I left the room, and would only sleep in my arms... Tomorrow i think we will attempt to clean downstairs with baby in his travel cot. Think I need to buy a bouncy chair.