Struggling to stay on top of housework 😪

[PinkBlossom33]

Just that really... I feel like my house is a tip and I just can't seem to stay on top of it. It's really getting me down and I look at others and can't understand how they seem so on top of everything. I just feel useless really, like it shouldn't be so hard.

For context, I am on maternity leave with my 6 month old DD and after feeding, playing and napping (she contact naps) I don't really have any time to do anything else.

I try to get little things done while she plays on her own for a while, like today I hoovered the living room and put a load of washing on but I feel like there's so much to do and no time to do it. I also like to I haven't touched bedrooms, kitchen (except basic cleaning) or bathroom this week.

For a while, I started doing bits in the evening when DD had gone to bed but we have got into all habit of feeding to sleep at bedtime so most nights by the time she has gone down to sleep and we've eaten dinner it's nearly 10pm and I'm too tired.

How do you keep on top of the housework and look after a baby?

Honestly don't stress it! Enjoy the time with your baby. But if it is bothering you , this is what I did.

I used to bring my dd into each room if I needed to clean it, I had a door bouncer which they loved, just hooked her up if I needed to wash up or clean bathrooms. When she was too little for that it was the swinging or bouncy chair! Hoovering could you put her in a sling and use a handheld? I can use my Dyson one handed and used to use the broom/spray mop with dd in a sling.

Make sure your dh is doing his share too, it's not just your responsibility to keep the house tidy. Or if you can afford it, get a cleaner in once a week.

Get a cleaner or get your partner to do more.

Or lower your standards.

Maternity leave isn’t housekeeping leave - babies are a job! They take all the time. Would you expect a childminder to clean their house whilst in sole charge of your 6-month-old baby? If not, then you shouldn’t expect it of yourself either.

How were chores split with your partner before you had a baby?

@SootspriteSearcher I do try taking baby from room to room but I end up feeling quite guilty that she's just sat in her bouncer watching me rather than playing, but I do talk to her and sing songs. A door bouncer sounds a good idea though I'll look into one of those.

My DH is great he does all of the hoovering at the weekend and puts on washing, does ironing and washing up etc but he's just as happy to leave it sometimes and if we've had a busy weekend it'll mean no hoovering is done and then we spend the week trying to catch up. He also doesn't seem to see other things that need doing like polishing and bathrooms so that's usually left up to me.

@NoSquirrels you're right and I think that's why I'm now feeling so overwhelmed because I prioritise my baby over housework but now the house feels cluttered and messy and I don't really know where to start.

Sadly we can't afford a cleaner but hopefully when I'm back at work it will be an option.

At that age your baby will be happy (and learning) by watching you doing housework. I have a 10 month old and I have three pets in the house so if I didn't clean it would be horrendous! I just put her in her high chair and keep giving her toys and she is more than happy to be there. If she is not, I have also cleaned the house many times while carrying her in the carrier. I believe she learns a lot from it at this young age. Of course I do find the tjme to interact with her and stimulate her in other ways but like you if the house is not clean/tidy I don't like it.
In fact I make sure that when she naps/sleeps I do not do housework and take a break as a way to recharge.
Also I used to have a cleaner once weekly which was the best thing, totally worth it if you can afford it as then you only need to maintain it.
All this failing, just relax about it as much as you can, definitely your baby is more important and you won't remember how clean your house was in the future!

I like following the organised mum method. Every day the focus is on a different room and you just do what’s on the list so no thinking required! I miss the odd day but the world won’t end. Enjoy your baby

Also don't try to clean the whole house in one go. Each day prioritise a room and give yourself 10-15 minutes tidying/cleaning it. Don't aim for perfection, just to make it a bit more presentable. You will not need to feel guilty about leaving your daughter to watch you for this length of time and you will be surprised how much you can achieve in the time, plus it is less overwhelming when you know you are only doing things in short bursts. Try to put a load of washing on every day, so it doesn't build up and quicker to put away. Get a cordless hoover you can just give a quick run round without much effort. Don't have too high expectations , your baby is very young. When she is older try your own of tge Organised Mum Method or similar.