How to Survive the Newborn Days When You Have Small Children at Home

Bringing home a newborn is magical—and exhausting. But doing it with toddlers or small children in the house? That’s a whole new level of chaos. You’re not just managing sleepless nights and cluster feeds—you’re also answering "Why?" a hundred times a day and refereeing battles over snack cups.
It’s intense. But it’s doable. Here’s how to keep your sanity (mostly) intact during this beautifully messy time.

1. Lower the Bar. No, Lower.
The dishes can wait. The toys on the floor won’t kill anyone. Let go of perfection. If everyone is fed, safe, and mostly clothed, you're doing great.
Your house might look like a toy tornado met a laundry volcano—and that’s OK. This isn’t the season for spotless counters. It’s the season for survival.

2. Prep “Yes” Zones
Designate safe areas where your older child(ren) can play independently. Think soft mats, puzzles, picture books, or bins of rotating toys. These are areas where they can go wild without constant redirection—so you can feed or rock the baby without panic.
Pro tip: rotate toys every few days to keep things fresh without buying more.

3. Tag Team When You Can
If you have a partner, coordinate shifts. One of you handles bedtime with the toddler, the other gets baby duty. Even small chunks of alone time—like 15 minutes to shower or scroll in silence—can recharge your spirit.
And if you're flying solo? Don’t be afraid to phone a friend, hire a sitter, or lean on family. This isn’t the time to do it all alone.

4. Let the Big Kids “Help”
Toddlers love to feel important. Give them baby-safe “jobs”: bringing nappies, singing songs to the baby, helping with muslin cloths. It gives them a sense of inclusion and reduces jealousy.
Are they actually helping? Maybe not. But their enthusiasm is worth it.

5. Snack Stations & Busy Bins
Keep easy-to-reach snack baskets and water bottles for older kids to grab themselves. Pair this with “busy bins”—prepped activities like colouring books, stickers, or magnetic tiles they can pull out during feeds or fussy baby moments.
Minimal effort, maximum peace.

6. Get Outside (Even If It’s Just the Patio)
A change of scenery works wonders. Fresh air calms babies and kids. Don’t aim for a big outing—just stepping into the back garden or going for a short walk can shift everyone’s mood (especially yours).
Bonus: outdoor time = better naps later.

7. Screen Time is Not the Enemy
This is your permission slip. Paw Patrol can help. Bluey is your co-parent. This is not the time to stress over screen limits. You’ll get back to your usual boundaries later. Right now, you need rest, recovery, and sanity.

8. Rest However You Can
You might not be able to “sleep when the baby sleeps” when you’ve got other kids. But can you lie on the couch while they play? Can you nap with cartoons on in the background?
Rest doesn’t have to mean sleep. Give your body downtime in whatever form you can.

9. Grace. So Much Grace.
You will have moments when you cry with the baby. Days where everyone eats cereal for dinner. Times when you feel like you’re doing everything “wrong.” That’s normal. You’re not failing—you’re just in the trenches of one of the hardest and most beautiful phases of parenthood.
Give yourself grace. And snacks.

Final ThoughtsThese early days are intense—but they’re temporary. The chaos will calm. Your bigger kids will adjust. Your newborn will sleep (eventually). And you’ll look back and marvel at how you did it all—even when it felt impossible.
Until then? Deep breaths, coffee if you like it, and remember: you’ve got this.