Did you just bring home your new bundle of joy? Congratulations! Relish in these precious moments with your newborn and try not to worry about everything else! I know that is impossible. Between all of the guests coming over to visit the baby and the dishes piling up in the sink, you are probably worrying about how messy your house has become. Do you try to clean it yourself while the baby sleeps? Do you hire a cleaning service? Just how clean does your house need to be for a newborn baby? Well I have good news for you. Your house does not need to be perfect.
What about a Newborn and Germs?
Young babies have immature immune systems. As a parent, you will need to protect them from germs through the first three months of their life. This doesn’t necessarily mean that you need to Lysol your house on the hour every hour. Here are a few quick and easy tips to keep your house germ free for your newborn.
- Consider having a cleaning service come out for a deep clean before the baby is born. This will take some of the pressure off when you bring your newborn baby home from the hospital.
- Advise visitors to only visit if they are feeling well. If there is any question about their health, request they hold off until they are feeling better.
- Anyone that touches the baby needs to wash their hands first. Keep a bottle of hand sanitizer nearby as a backup.
- Sanitize bottles, pacifiers, and other baby supplies that touch baby’s mouth after each use or at least once per day.
- Wipe down surfaces that are touched often (door knobs, tables, kitchen counter) with an antibacterial agent. For convenience, check out your local supermarket for prepackaged wipes.
What about the Floors, Laundry, and other Clutter?
I have some good news for you. Your newborn will not care if your floors aren’t sparkling clean or if laundry is all over the kitchen table. Baby stuff is likely going to clutter your house, and that is okay! Give yourself a break. You just brought life into the world. Don’t worry about your cluttered house right now. Once your life settles back down and you are ready to attack the clutter, check out How to Declutter and Do Good for a few useful tips. Until then, the floors, laundry, and baby stuff can wait. If you just cannot stand a messy house, get us out there to help you. That precious little baby will not stay little for long. Enjoy the time!
Do you know someone about to have a baby?
One of the best gifts I received at my baby shower was a gift certificate to get my house cleaned. It was AMAZING! I was nine months pregnant and did not have the energy to clean my house. I was able to get my house cleaned and sanitized right before having the baby. I did not have to worry about my house being clean for the newborn’s arrival. What a great gift! Read How to Give Cleaning as a Gift if you are worried she might get offended. There are other ways you can help too. Take a prepared meal to the new parents so they will not have to cook or clean the kitchen. Sweep the floor or fold a load of laundry after you cuddle the new baby. Oh, and hold that baby so Mama can go get clean herself! It takes a village to take care of the family!
Give yourself a break mama! Enjoy your newborn. Sleep when the baby sleeps. Accept help when it is offered. Ask for help when you need it. Let the family and friends clean up a little for you. No one will care if your house is a little cluttered. Now go soak in that new baby smell!