How to Manage Your House With a Baby

Managing a house with a baby can feel overwhelming, especially in the early days of motherhood. However, with the right systems and simple daily habits, it is possible to keep your home clean without feeling stressed.

In this post, you will learn how to manage a house with a baby in a way that feels realistic and sustainable. In addition, I will share simple cleaning routines, practical tips, and daily rhythms that help make life at home feel more peaceful.

Note: This post contains affiliate links. I only recommend products I’ve personally used for years and genuinely love. Your support helps me continue creating helpful content!

The Overwhelm of Keeping a Clean House as a New Mom

When I was a first time mama struggling to keep up with the house, I constantly felt like I was drowning.

Because that is exactly what it felt like. Drowning.

Trying to take care of a baby while also keeping up with cleaning, meals, laundry, and everything else is a lot. Being a mom is already a full time job. Add the role of housekeeper, cook, and everything in between, and it makes sense that you feel overwhelmed.

And let’s be honest. You did not just add a baby. You almost doubled your household items overnight with all the baby things.

If you feel like you are barely keeping your head above water trying to keep everything clean, you are not alone.

But the good news is that a few simple habits can completely change how your home and mind feel. Remember, the goal here isn’t a perfect home. It’s a peaceful home that you feel like you can manage!

Quick Tips to Keep Your Home Manageable as a New Mom

In This Post, You Will Learn
• Simple systems that make cleaning easier
• Daily habits that keep things under control
• Small changes that create more peace in your day

Why Your Home Feels So Overwhelming Right Now

You did not just become a mom. You added an entirely new layer of responsibility to your life.

More laundry. More dishes. More clutter. More noise.

And when everything is visible all the time, your brain feels it too. More visual clutter means more mental stimulation.

No wonder it feels like too much.

Simple Cleaning Systems That Actually Work for Moms

Eliminate Visual Clutter

This one is huge.

Less visual clutter helps your brain feel calmer and more at ease.

One of the best things I did was put away most of my son’s toys and start rotating them. By most I mean at least 80% of his toys! A lot less toys! 

Less toys out meant more focus and interest for him and less mess and stimulation for me. Win Win! 

When I notice he is not using something anymore, I swap it out. Not all at once. Just a few at a time to keep it simple and manageable! 

I promise this tip isn’t as complicated as it sounds. No searching on Pinterest how to do a toy rotation! If you feel overwhelmed right now, at your next nap time stretch put most of the toys away. Like in a closet they can’t access and see! Easy as that! I’ve found that limiting my sons toy amount, also allows for more creative play on his end!

*Pro tip if you’ve never done a toy rotation* Start with open-ended toys that can be played with different ways! Ex. A kinetic sand table, magnetic tiles, Play-Doh, blocks, Legos, and your toddler’s favorite truck set.

 Use One Toy Basket for Easy Cleanup

Okay, I am a little passionate about this one.

I keep one catch all toy basket in the living room.

Any random toys that get brought downstairs, carried in from outside, or pulled out while I am cooking all go into that one basket during my quick resets.

A few times a week, I sort everything back where it belongs.

Sometimes that just means grabbing a toy and taking it upstairs the next time I go. The important part is that it has a place in the meantime.

This also makes cleanup possible for toddlers.

We have been using this system since my son was about six months old, and now he knows exactly where toys go and helps clean up.

And because only a small portion of toys are out, it never feels overwhelming.

The Daily Habit That Changed Everything

Rhythms and habits will be your best friend in this season.

The biggest change for me was doing mini resets throughout the day. A true mini reset will take you less than 5 mins! (Think 5 minutes per room, realistically! Not the whole house!)

My secret trick to being able to reset our main space in less than 5 mins is in the one toy basket I mentioned above paired with a simple daily cleaning rhythm! I will die on the hill that mini resets are worth your time & effort as a new mama. 

This habit of mini resets has been a game changer in my days. No more waiting until the end of the day to clean up the tornado we made that day. Quick resets keep things under control. 

If resetting your main play area in less than 5 minutes is currently impossible, I highly recommend starting with reducing visual clutter by starting a toy rotation, today!

My Simple Daily Cleaning Rhythm as a Mom

Morning:
I eat with my husband before he leaves for work every day, and that’s when I make my son’s breakfast, even though that’s a very early time! So when my son wakes up, and we’ve cuddled, his breakfast is made. After breakfast, we pop a load of laundry in before heading out for morning sunshine/outdoor playtime!

Before lunch:
We do a quick toy reset, usually outside since we spend a lot of time there.

Lunch:
We eat something that is already meal prepped, which means fewer dishes and more time together. I load the dishwasher and start it after lunch each day! 

Nap time:
As soon as my son’s asleep, I switch over the laundry to the dryer, and I do one small planned chore for the day. (from my weekly cleaning routine-shared later in post:) I prep anything needed to make dinner time easier. Right now, my dinner prep is my go- to in any busy season. The crockpot!

Click for quick crockpot inspo!

Mid-Afternoon: Before we start on dinner, we will do a quick toy pick up & I unload the dishwasher. My son has some independent play while I quickly fold our clothes. 

Evening:
We tag team. My husband handles bath time while I reset the house.

Before bed:
One final quick reset! If I need to vacuum or finish up the laundry this is when I get it done. 

By the time my son goes to bed, the house is ready for the next day and I am not stuck cleaning for hours. These little resets throughout the day add up for a more peaceful evening, a happier household, and a calmer mama! 

A Simple Weekly Cleaning Schedule for Busy Moms

Instead of trying to do everything every day, I gave each day a focus.

And if I miss a day, it is okay.

It can wait until next week. Because it gets done regularly, I never feel behind.

Monday:
Kitchen reset and meal prep

Tuesday:
Bedrooms

Wednesday:
Bathrooms & Our Master room wipe down

Thursday:
Monthly chores if needed. I also flip-flop each week between giving my dog a bath, and cutting my son’s hair!

Friday:
Floors and main living space

Simple, flexible, and realistic.

Helpful tip: If you have ever wanted to have your own cleaning schedule, and struggled to actually make it happen. I recommend doing a quick check-in. Is your cleaning time being eaten up during your house reset time? If you have too many items to manage, this clutter will take up your cleaning time. Cleaning or decluttering/picking up? The two are very different! 

The Small Habit That Made My Days Feel Easier

This one seems small, but it made a big difference.

I stopped running the dishwasher at night.

Instead, I run it after lunch.

Then before dinner, I unload it.

This means my sink is empty going into dinner, my mornings feel calmer, and I am not starting the day already behind.

That tiny little habit change gave me more peace than I expected. A slower morning, more peace and a happier mama not starting the day feeling behind.

What Helped Me Most as a First Time Mom

I did not need a perfect routine.

I needed simple systems that worked with my day.

Mini resets. Less clutter. A flexible rhythm.

That is what helped me go from feeling like I was drowning to finally feeling a sense of calm in my home again.

8 Simple Habits That Help New Moms Feel Less Overwhelmed

1. Do quick resets instead of long cleaning sessions
2. Keep less out, especially toys
3. Get ahead in your day. Wake before your kids do! 
4. Meal prep when you can
5. Ask for help and accept it
6. Create rhythms instead of strict schedules
7. Keep systems simple and repeatable
8. Give yourself grace in this season

3 Tips I Swear By!

Invite Your Baby Into the Task With You

When I first had my son, I waited for nap time to do everything. I would clean, cook, work out, and try to squeeze in some me time. However, me time always got the short end of the stick. There was simply never enough time during naps to do everything I needed to do as a homemaker and wife carrying the load of the home.

Because of this, I realized something needed to change. In order to be the best mama I could be, I needed to make space in my day for things that filled me up, like working out and my own hobbies. In this season, that hobby is writing to you.

So, instead of cramming everything into nap time, I started bringing my baby into my daily tasks.

I truly believe that our children do not just want to be entertained. Instead, they have a deep desire to be included. They want to feel close to us and be part of what we are doing.

At first, this may feel harder. In fact, it probably will. However, over time, it becomes more natural. At the same time, you gain more freedom during nap time to focus on yourself.

Even more importantly, this builds a habit of helping. As your child grows, helping around the house will not feel like a chore. Instead, it will feel like a normal part of everyday life. In this way, everyone in the home shares the load.

Create Boundaries

If housework feels never ending, you are not alone. In fact, many stay at home moms feel like their job never truly stops. Because your work is your home, it can feel like you are always on.

That is exactly why boundaries matter so much.

One of the best things I ever did was create a simple rule for myself. I do not do laundry on the weekends.

Although this may seem small, it made a huge difference. For example, it gave me a clear stopping point. It also reminded me that rest is allowed and needed.

As a result, my days began to feel more structured. I no longer felt like I had to constantly stay on top of everything just to feel like I was doing a good job. Instead, I had permission to pause.

Ultimately, that one boundary created more peace in my home than I ever expected.

Having the Right Tools Makes the Job Easier

Finally, let’s talk about something simple but powerful. The right tools can make your daily tasks so much easier.

For example, I use one cleaner for my entire home. For the past six years, I have used Young Living’s Thieves Household Cleaner to clean almost everything. Because it is non toxic and versatile, I can use it on counters, floors, furniture, sinks, showers, baby toys, and even windows.

As a result, I no longer need multiple products for different areas of my home. This keeps things simple and saves time.

In addition, it gives me peace of mind. Many store bought cleaners contain harsh chemicals that are not safe for our skin or lungs. This is especially important when you have little ones at home.

Think about your everyday life for a moment. Does your baby put everything in their mouth? Mine does. In fact, he tries to lick the floor just like his doggy brother.

Because of that, I have to ask myself an important question. Would I feel comfortable if my baby touched or even licked a freshly cleaned surface? Would I use that same cleaner on their toys?

For me, the answer is yes.

If you are looking for a non toxic option, I highly recommend trying Thieves Household Cleaner. Since it is a concentrate, you only need one capful to make an entire 16 oz bottle of cleaner. It comes out to about $1 a bottle when mixed and ready to use! Therefore, it lasts a long time and is very cost effective.

You can click here to get the Thieves cleaner. If you use my code SHAREYL at checkout, you will save an additional 10 percent.

How to Use The Thieves Household Cleaner In Every Room!

My Go-To Simple Cleaning Tools

To keep things simple, I stick to just a few tools that make a big impact without adding more clutter. I’ve linked my exact favorites here to make it easy for you.

• Steam cleaner – Perfect for deep cleaning floors and surfaces without harsh chemicals
• Vacuum – A quick daily reset tool, especially for crumbs and pet hair
• Quick mop – My new go-to for fast floor cleanups during the day
• Carpet/spot cleaner – Perfect for quick mess clean up from spit up on the couch and spills on the rug
• Electric scrubber – Makes deep cleaning easier with less effort while still getting an effective clean

Because I use just a few reliable tools, cleaning feels faster, easier, and much more manageable in this season of life.

Encouragement for the Overwhelmed Mama

Motherhood is a big adjustment, and your home is part of that transition too.

You do not need to do everything perfectly to have a peaceful home.

Start small. Build simple habits. Create rhythms that support you. My cleaning schedule doesn’t fit yours? That’s okay! You do you! You’ll find what works best for you! 

Over time, those small changes will help you move from just surviving your days to actually enjoying them.

If this post helped you feel a little less overwhelmed, I would love for you to share it with another mama who needs encouragement.

Also, be sure to sign up for my newsletter so you get the next post in my newest series, A First Time Mama’s Guide: From Surviving to Thriving In Motherhood.

Remember…

Confidence in motherhood is built through small habits.
Habits that serve you.
Habits and thoughts that help you thrive — not just survive.

xo,

Chelsea Salinas

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