What is one piece of advice you would give to a new parent about managing household chores with a newborn? What worked well for you?

Question

Managing household chores with a newborn can be daunting, but incorporating expert tips can transform it into an achievable daily routine. This article distills practical strategies from seasoned parents and childcare professionals to help streamline home management. Learn how to efficiently organize tasks and engage your support network without sacrificing precious time with your little one.

Dr. Rosanna Gilderthorp · Answer

When managing household chores with a newborn, I found the power of simplifying tasks invaluable. After experiencing severe pregnancy sickness and its lingering effects, I realized the importance of prioritizing essentials. I recommend focusing on one impactful task per day, such as meal-prepping simple, nutritious dishes that require minimal effort. This approach ensures you're nourishing yourself and your baby while saving energy for other vital parenting responsibilities.
Engaging support networks can be a game-changer. From my professional experience in perinatal mental health, having someone to lean on can significantly alleviate pressure and stress. Whether it's a friend, family member, or hired help, don't hesitate to reach out. During my recovery, we relied on close friends for occasional meal drop-offs, which significantly eased our load.
Finally, accept the imperfections of parenthood and house management. Balancing work as a Clinical Psychologist taught me that striving for 'good enough' is perfectly acceptable. Instead of aiming for spotlessness, focus on creating a comfortable and nurturing environment. By maintaining this attitude, I could concentrate on bonding with my child without unnecessary guilt.

Audrey Schoen · Answer

Managing household chores with a newborn can feel like a daunting task. As a mother of twins, I learned the importance of simplifying and prioritizing tasks to maintain some semblance of order. One practical tip I found invaluable is to reframe your mindset around chores. Rather than focusing on how much you dislike a task, try to quickly complete it without overthinking. As I once said, "Cleaning a toilet isn't fun, but dwelling on the dislike adds unnecessary suffering. Just get it done and move on."
Another strategy that worked well for me was setting realistic expectations and embracing imperfection. With twins or even a single newborn, it's easy to feel overwhelmed by all the things that need to get done. I created small, manageable goals each day, focusing on essentials like laundry and kitchen maintenance, rather than attempting to tackle everything at once. This approach not only preserved my sanity but also allowed me more quality time with my babies without feeling guilty about unfinished chores.

Maya Weir · Answer

Managing household chores with a newborn is a daunting task, especially when fatigue and emotional changes are at play. One approach I've found beneficial is to openly divide labor with your partner, ensuring a fair distribution of tasks. For instance, my partner and I sat down and listed all household responsibilities, then assigned them based on our strengths and schedules. We regularly revisit this list to adjust as needed, just as Thriving California consistently updates our practices based on the latest research.
Another strategy is utilizing the "good enough" philosophy, which I emphasize in my sessions. It's freeing to accept that some tasks don't need perfection. I coach parents to focus on vital chores like baby care and feeding, while leaving less critical tasks, such as spotless floors or perfect meal preparations, for later. This mindset not only reduces stress but also allows more quality family time, which is crucial for emotional well-being.

Justin Carpenter · Answer

I'm excited to share that breaking down chores into 15-minute chunks worked wonders when my daughter was born - we called them 'baby-step cleanups' at my cleaning company. I kept a basket of cleaning supplies on each floor and would quickly wipe down bathroom surfaces or vacuum one room during those precious moments when the baby was content in the bouncer.

Joseph Passalacqua · Answer

For new parents, I highly suggest that you simplify your day-to-day household management. Try your best to focus on just the essential chores so you don't get overwhelmed. Prioritize meal preparation, cleaning the baby's changing and playing areas, and doing the laundry.
Surrender yourself to the idea that today is good and you have done enough, and allow the less important tasks on your to-do list to slide on a regular day. It would be beneficial if you have the option to delegate or ask for help, but otherwise, directing all your time and energy to your newborn is more than fruitful already. You may also consider looking into efficient systems that would be worthwhile investments, such as a good dishwasher and periodic cleaning support.
What's important is to ensure that you always have the energy you need to keep up with your newborn's needs.

Kelsey Thompson, LMFT · Answer

For managing household chores with a newborn, I found integrating regular exercise into my routine was a game-changer. Going to the gym four days a week, using available childcare, kept me sane and energized. This routine allowed me to approach chores with more vigor and patience, even if it meant my family caught a few more colds from childcare interactions.
Healthy communication with my husband was crucial. We became true teammates by clearly stating our needs and listening to each other. This collaboration made managing chores more seamless and less stressful.
Investing in childcare, like a trusted nanny or babysitter, provided the space to handle chores and appointments without guilt. Using local resources like Facebook groups and Care.com helped me find reliable help, ensuring that tasks were managed efficiently.

Carey Bentley · Answer

When my husband and I had our first baby, we had to throw out everything we thought we knew about time management. In those early days, the only way we knew to keep our household running was by sticking to a short list of daily chores that were just enough to keep things from spiraling into chaos.
But the real game-changer was creating "set it and forget it" systems by outsourcing tasks like cleaning, dog walking, and meal prep. Because they happened at the same time each week, we didn't have to think about them, which protected our energy and gave us more time to soak up our sweet newborn. Three kids later, we STILL rely on those systems.

Divyank Jain · Answer

I can say that managing household chores with a newborn can be daunting, but establishing a routine is key. One piece of advice I'd give is to prioritize tasks and focus on essentials like meal prep, laundry, and maintaining a clean living space. Batch cooking and freezing meals ahead of time can be a lifesaver. Additionally, involve your partner or family members in sharing responsibilities. For example, my partner handled grocery shopping and light cleaning while I focused on caring for our newborn. Remember, letting non-essential tasks slide temporarily is okay - your baby's well-being should be the top priority.

Lori Leonard · Answer

The mental load of managing both a newborn and household duties can feel overwhelming, so I learned to let go of perfectionism and focus on essential tasks that impact our well-being. When I felt anxious about the messy house, I reminded myself that bonding with my baby was more important than having spotless floors. I started taking advantage of my support system by accepting help when offered.

Abdullah Saleem · Answer

When my son was born, I discovered that a "good enough" approach to chores was life-changing. Instead of trying to maintain pre-baby standards, I created a simple two-category system: "Must-Do" and "Can-Wait."
"Must-Do" included only essentials like basic food preparation, having clean bottles/clothes, and addressing safety hazards. Everything else - dusting, organizing, most laundry folding - went into "Can-Wait." This mental shift immediately reduced my stress because I stopped feeling behind on everything.
What worked surprisingly well was setting up "stations" throughout the house. I kept diaper supplies in multiple rooms, had feeding setups in both the bedroom and living room, and placed small laundry baskets everywhere. This eliminated the need to constantly trek across the house for basics while holding a baby.
The most helpful practical tip? I used my baby's 5-minute content moments (like after feeding when they're alert but calm) to tackle quick tasks nearby. These tiny windows add up to get essential things done without feeling like you're neglecting your newborn.
Remember that this intense phase is temporary, and a dusty shelf never hurt anyone. Your relationship with your baby matters infinitely more than a perfectly maintained home.

Aja Chavez · Answer

As both a therapist and mom of two, I learned that household management with a newborn isn't about perfection - it's about grace and basic survival. I found success in the 'one room, one day' approach, where I'd focus on maintaining just one area of the house each day while wearing my baby in a carrier. When clients ask me about this now, I always remind them that dishes in the sink aren't a parenting failure - they're just evidence that you're prioritizing what really matters in those early months.

Joseph Commisso · Answer

One piece of advice I'd give to a new parent is to keep chores simple and let go of perfection. Focus on the basics--laundry, dishes, and keeping essentials organized--while skipping anything that isn't urgent. What worked well for me was doing small tasks whenever I had a free moment instead of trying to get everything done at once. Also, accepting help from family or friends made a big difference. The newborn stage is short, so don't stress about having a spotless home--just do what you can and enjoy the time with your baby.

Allen Kou · Answer

I learned to tackle kitchen cleanup during my baby's morning nap, just as I schedule prep work at my restaurants during slower hours. When my son was born, I started keeping cleaning supplies in every room and would utilize 10-minute cleanup windows between feedings. This approach honestly saved my sanity more than trying to do everything at once.

Robert Portillo · Answer

When my first child arrived, I quickly learned that tackling chores during nap time was a game-changer. I'd set a 20-minute timer and knock out the most visible tasks like dishes and quick tidying. I started using my project management skills from work to create a simple checklist on my phone, breaking down daily must-dos versus nice-to-haves, which helped me stay focused when I was sleep-deprived. What really saved us was accepting help from family. My mom would come over for an hour twice a week to fold laundry while I got some rest, and honestly, those power naps made me so much more productive.

Joe Benson · Answer

As a father of five, one piece of advice I'd give to new parents managing household chores with a newborn is this: lower the bar and focus on rhythm, not perfection. When you bring a baby home, your world shifts completely. Trying to keep the house running exactly like it did before is a recipe for frustration. What worked well for us was building a flexible, priority-based system that gave room for rest, bonding, and survival-mode days without letting things spiral out of control.
One specific tactic that helped was creating a simple, rotating task list broken into "must-do" and "nice-to-do" categories. Must-do items were things like dishes, laundry, and prepping meals, all tasks that kept the household functioning. Nice-to-do items were the rest: organizing, deep cleaning, or anything that could wait. We also made a habit of doing short, 10-15 minute "resets" throughout the day, quick tidying bursts rather than marathon cleaning sessions. With a newborn, energy comes in small windows, and this approach let us chip away at the mess without burning out.
Another thing that worked: accepting help without guilt. Whether it was a neighbor dropping off food, a friend folding laundry, or an older sibling pitching in, we learned that letting people in was a strength, not a weakness. Babies don't need spotless homes; they need calm parents. Prioritizing connection over perfection is what helped our home run more smoothly and gave us space to enjoy those early moments, mess and all.

Taylor Murphy · Answer

I recently discovered that breaking down chores into small, manageable chunks helped reduce my anxiety about keeping up with housework while caring for my newborn. For example, I would wipe down bathroom counters during bath time or fold one basket of laundry during tummy time. Having realistic expectations and showing yourself grace during this adjustment period is crucial for mental health. I always remind new parents that a perfectly clean house isn't nearly as important as those precious bonding moments with your baby.

Dr. Edward Espinosa · Answer

The constant cleaning demands with a newborn really tested my limits until I discovered the '1-room-per-day' approach during my paternity leave - just focusing on thoroughly cleaning one space while the baby was content. From a health perspective, I prioritized sanitizing feeding areas and regularly washing bedding to prevent allergies and infections, letting less critical tasks slide. I always tell new parents that maintaining a somewhat organized home is important for mental health, but don't stress about perfection - your baby needs a present, rested parent more than they need a spotless house.

David Cornado · Answer

Managing my consulting business from home with a newborn taught me that efficiency is about systems, not perfection. I created a simple checklist of daily must-dos and delegated everything else. My partner and I implemented a 'tag team' approach where one person handles baby duties while the other tackles a 20-minute cleaning sprint, making it feel less overwhelming. The biggest win was setting up 'cleaning stations' in each room with basic supplies, allowing us to quickly handle messes during those rare quiet moments.

Sonji Huerta · Answer

Navigating household chores with a newborn can be overwhelming, so I took a cue from my crafting routine. Just as setting a specific time for crochet keeps my skills improving, blocking dedicated moments to tackle chores can be a game-changer. I set a daily schedule with short, focused bursts to handle tasks like tidying up or organizing.
I also kept a simple but effective chore basket. Each family member, including myself, contributed a few spare minutes a day to tackle specific tasks from the chore basket. This method, similar to choosing simple crochet projects, kept us from getting overwhelmed and allowed us to accomplish tasks incrementally.
Staying adaptable, like in the creative process of crochet, was crucial. I learned to accept the ebb and flow of the day, addressing things that could be done during nap times or with my baby in a carrier. This flexibility maximized productivity, just as adjusting tension in crochet leads to a smoother finish.

Preston Hiller · Answer

Managing household chores with a newborn can be quite a challenge, especially when you're running a business and juggling family life with five kids, as my wife and I do. One piece of advice I'd give is to prioritize tasks that truly need your immediate attention and delegate the rest. For instance, in my garage door business, I rely heavily on a strong team to handle daily operations. Similarly, at home, I've learned to rely on family members for support.
Another practical tip is to create a flexible routine. Just as our garage door installations and repairs run smoothly with planned scheduling, having a loose schedule for chores helps manage household tasks more efficiently. For example, we focus on laundry and meal prep during nap times, similar to how we allocate times for specific tasks in our workshop.
Lastly, it's important to keep communication open with your partner, much like we do with our clients and team. My wife and I often have a quick chat in the evening to assess the day's workload and adjust the next day's plans as needed. This ensures that no one is overwhelmed and we can tackle chores in manageable chunks.

Robert Chen · Answer

One of the most effective things I did as a new dad was scheduling micro-shifts of housework. Instead of trying to clean the whole kitchen or tackle an entire laundry pile in one go, I'd do quick five-minute bursts throughout the day, wiping down counters while waiting for a bottle to warm up, folding a few clothes while the baby napped, or vacuuming one room at a time. It made household chores much more manageable without cutting into bonding time with my newborn.
One thing I wish I had known earlier was that friends and family actually want to help, but you have to be specific. When people asked, "Let us know if you need anything," instead of brushing it off, I started saying things like, "Could you bring over some ready-to-eat snacks?" or "Would you mind folding some laundry while you visit?" Once I got comfortable accepting help, it made a huge difference in keeping the house (and our sanity) in check.

Ryan Clarke · Answer

As a busy contractor, I learned that breaking tasks into 10-minute chunks was a game-changer with my newborn - like quickly wiping bathroom surfaces while the baby napped. I started keeping cleaning supplies in every room and made peace with doing just the bare minimum, focusing mainly on kitchen and bathroom sanitation. My best tip is to invest in a good baby carrier so you can do light tasks like dusting or folding laundry while keeping your little one close and content.

Dr. Anand Thakkar · Answer

As both a doctor and a parent, I've discovered that doing quick 10-minute cleaning bursts during my baby's morning feeds works wonderfully, since newborns are usually most alert and content at this time. I started keeping a lightweight cordless vacuum and cleaning supplies in each room, which saved me countless trips and allowed me to tackle messes efficiently while still staying close to monitor my little one.

Alex Cornici · Answer

Adjusting to life with a newborn can be a whirlwind of joy and exhaustion, making household chores seem daunting. One practical piece of advice is to lower expectations and prioritize tasks that directly affect you and your baby's well-being. For instance, ensuring dishes and laundry are managed can significantly reduce stress, while less urgent tasks can wait.
When my children were newborns, I found it incredibly helpful to accept help when offered and to keep supplies in multiple rooms to avoid constant trips back and forth. For example, having a stash of diapers, wipes, and burp cloths in both the living room and bedroom meant less running around and more time to focus on the baby or catch a quick nap. Remember, keeping a perfect house is less important than enjoying this special time; chores will always be there, but a baby grows quickly.

Natalia Lavrenenko · Answer

Forget the idea of maintaining a spotless house with a newborn. Prioritize what actually matters--like clean bottles over folded laundry. What worked? A 10-minute reset. Instead of stressing over a long cleaning session, I'd set a timer and do what I could in that window. Dishes, quick sweep, toy pickup--done. If it didn't happen, it could wait.
Outsourcing helped, too. Not with money, but with delegation. My husband took on laundry duty, and guests who asked, "Need anything?" got assigned a task. No one really minds loading a dishwasher if they're already in the kitchen. The biggest shift was accepting that "good enough" was the new standard, and honestly, life was easier that way.

How to Manage Household Chores with a Newborn

Table of Contents

How to Manage Household Chores with a Newborn

Simplify Tasks and Engage Support Networks

Reframe Mindset and Set Realistic Expectations

Divide Labor and Embrace ‘Good Enough’

Break Down Chores Into 15-Minute Chunks

Simplify and Delegate Household Management

Integrate Exercise and Communicate with Partner

Create Systems and Outsource Tasks

Establish Routine and Involve Family Members

Let Go of Perfectionism and Accept Help

Adopt a ‘Good Enough’ Approach

Focus on One Room Each Day

Keep Chores Simple and Accept Help

Utilize Nap Times and Cleaning Supplies

Tackle Chores During Nap Time

Lower Bar and Focus on Rhythm

Break Down Chores into Manageable Chunks

Prioritize Sanitizing and Washing Bedding

Create Systems and Delegate Tasks

Block Time for Chores and Stay Flexible

Prioritize Tasks and Delegate Responsibilities

Break Tasks into 10-Minute Chunks

Do Quick Cleaning Bursts During Morning Feeds

Lower Expectations and Accept Help

Prioritize and Do 10-Minute Resets

Up Next