Tips for housekeeping with a new baby

[Thyeternalsummer]

Expecting my first baby in a couple of weeks, and getting a bit annoyed by all the assumptions that I'll be happy to let the house go to pot. Midwife mentioned that obviously it wouldn't be a priority post child-birth and that I shouldn't worry about hcps seeing my house in a state - and lots MNers of made 'your in for a rude awakening' type comments when I've previously mentioned my preference for ironing pants and socks (they fold neater this way!)
Whilst I will be wanting to spend time caring for/bonding with with my new son, and undoubtedly I'll need to rest up - I have no intention of letting my home turn into a chaotic mess. I'm reasonably fit and healthy (could easily run 15k before pregnancy), and am happiest in a well organised and comfortable home.
Looking for tips/advice on how other MNers managed with a new baby. Any advice on how to keep my home reasonably comfortable during those first few turbulent weeks would be gratefully received!

My dd was perfectly content to lay on her mat or in her moses.basket or sit in a bouncer for most of the day tbh. I.never needed to put her in a sling unless I fancied taking her out for a walk in it.

I also failed terribly at BFing so FFd. This meant she had regularly timed and shortish feeds, so left lots of 'spare' time. Not that I used it doing housework but I could have.

If being organised suits, maybe a routine would work for you? I read Contented Little Baby before dd arroved and we both seemed to relish being in a routine.

If you are wanting to continue running post birth, there are running buggies out there too.

Have to admit that all the stories about very needy, demanding babies are scaring me just a bit!! Secretly hoping that I can't BF, just so I can have the routine of FF (Burn me now! ) The thought of needing to feed on demand to establish milk supply just makes me want to cry if I'm honest....I don't want to sit on the sofa for weeks being milked...Was actually looking forward to being able to move again, especially after these cumbersome final weeks of pregnancy. Probably makes me a terrible mother!

Good to hear about people that have managed to make it work for them though. Lists, lists, lists seem to the be the main message. And just hope for a placid baby. Placing my order now for a FFing, Olympic sleeper who isn't keen on being picked up and instead prefers people watching in his bouncy chair

Wanting to FF doesnt make you a bad mother!! Beating, starving, manipulating your dc makes one a bad mother!

Dont feel bad about decisions you make re: raising your own child - theres enough people out there who will have stuff to say about every decision you make

Well you might well find that a FF baby wants feeding more often than you would ideally like too, and some swear by breastfeeding on a routine, look at Gina ford. It's just part of having a very small baby! FWIW my DS was breastfed and perfectly settled between feeds. I'm justjust not particularly housework oriented myself so my house was a tip, but no worse than it usually was - in fact probably slightly better as I got into a routine of what DS needed and it sort of worked around that.

Yes, the feeding method doesn't necessarily help with frequency or speed of feeds, except that if DH does the feed you have two hands free to iron

There are lots of good reasons for using ff but I wouldn't have said "so I can keep the house super clean" was a particularly healthy one. It's only really the first couple of weeks where bf is erratic (plus evenings for a bit longer).

FF also creates another housework task.

My DD was FF but she also slept on me practically all day throughout the first few weeks except when we went for a walk. FF doesn't mean that you can necessarily avoid the sitting on the sofa routine and actually nor would I have wanted to. Your body and your mind need time to adjust to parenting. Your knickers do not need ironing EVER.

My first fed constantly (BF)
My second feeds every 3-4hrs since birth. Nothing I did at all!

I have no words of wisdom as my view is totally different.

but I want to wish you good luck and advise you to not do any ironing or cooking with baby strapped in a sling.