Managing your time well when a baby arrives is one of the most important things. It’s easy to feel overwhelmed by everything that needs to be done—we know it well: taking care of the baby, doing the laundry, hanging up clothes, preparing lunch and dinner, grocery shopping, and tidying up the house are just some of the tasks that fill a parent’s day and can sometimes feel like too much.

Good time management, however, is possible

But how can you manage your time better? Here are some tips to keep in mind.

1. If you are two, divide the tasks equally. One parent alone cannot carry the entire mental load. Sharing tasks evenly helps lighten the burden for both of you. A good tip is to take on the chores you enjoy most—this way, you’ll be more efficient, each in your own tasks. Are you on your own? In that case, consider asking for support from a relative or a nanny.

2. Use a planner or create a to-do list, even a digital one . When you have a thousand thoughts, it’s easy to forget things.
Creating a to-do list or noting appointments in an agenda or calendar helps everyone keep the situation under control and step in if the other person can’t complete a task.
The good old paper always works, but there are also very useful apps like Remember The Milk or Todoist that allow you to keep your commitments in sight at all times.
Shared calendars or simple Excel sheets can also do the trick.
There are also apps specifically designed for managing family time: Famcal, for example, is a shared calendar for the whole family.
The important thing is to find the planning tool that suits you best so you can organize and manage your days effectively.

3. Shop online, even for diapers! Shopping online not only saves time, but it can also help you manage your family budget. No more supermarket temptations, no unnecessary checkout lines (and wasted time), and no tears when your child insists on those chocolate-filled snacks at all costs. If delivery fees raise the total, some supermarkets also offer the option to pick up your shopping via drive-thru.

The same applies to diapers: to lighten your mental load, you can have our LILLYDOO diapers and wipes delivered straight to your home. And that’s not all: the LILLYDOO subscription is hassle-free and 100% customizable, allowing you to add different sizes and patterns of diapers, regular or training pants, and skincare products of your choice to your monthly package. It’s also flexible: choose the delivery date based on your needs, and your LILLYDOO diapers will arrive whenever you want.

4. Prepare meals in advance. Being able to defrost something at the right moment instead of starting from scratch is a huge convenience! But how do you do it? Simply plan ahead.

There are two ways to plan meals in advance:

• some people prefer to set aside a day on the weekend to prepare and freeze all the meals for the week.

• otherwise, every time you cook, make double or triple portions (depending on how much space you have in the freezer!) of what you’re preparing. Extra portions of pasta, vegetables, meat such as roasts, fish, or legumes will save you when mealtime arrives and you have nothing ready to eat.

Equip yourselves with containers for storing meals in the freezer and, if possible, choose glass containers that can be easily washed in the dishwasher or ones made of safe, recyclable materials.

5. Set up a clear routine. Routines help you stay organized and avoid feeling overwhelmed by everything you need to do. Is the house often messy, with your little explorer’s toys scattered in every room or clothes left on chairs? For example, you might dedicate 30 minutes twice a day to tidying up. A more organized home can also help reduce mental clutter.

6. Learn to say “no”. A friend asks you to meet for coffee, a relative wants to visit: you don’t always feel up to it, and you don’t always have the time. But to avoid seeming rude, you may say “yes” without really meaning it. It’s important, therefore, to learn to say “no”—always politely—by calmly explaining your reasons or simply suggesting a less busy day. This way, you can avoid taking on an unnecessary extra burden.