Simplifying Early Parenthood: How to Automate Your Life Before Baby Comes

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Becoming a new parent is an exciting and transformative time, but it can also feel overwhelming when faced with the demands of caring for a newborn while trying to stay on top of the usual household tasks like bills and grocery shopping. Effective time management is the key for new parents so that you can do the work you want to do: hanging out with your newborn!

Fortunately, there are ways to simplify your life so that you can experience more moments of calm and confidence during your postpartum journey. By automating routine tasks and delegating responsibilities to folks who have offered to help, you can free up mental and emotional space to focus on what truly matters—your recovery, bonding with your baby, and embracing your new role as a parent.

In this post, I’ll share the practical ways we streamlined household management, delegated effectively, and prepared in advance (the second time around!), so that you can learn from us and enjoy a smoother, more intentional postpartum experience.

Step 1: Identify Automatable Tasks

In the whirlwind of early parenthood, every minute feels crucial. Time management for new parents becomes essential as you juggle feedings, diaper changes, and the need for rest, making it all the more important to streamline household tasks. But what if you could automate some of your daily chores, allowing you to focus on being present for your baby and building confidence in your new role? The good news is—you can! By taking a few proactive steps, you can create more space for calm and confidence during your postpartum experience.

Everyday Chores to Automate:

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• Some of the most time-consuming tasks—like paying bills, shopping for groceries, and scheduling appointments—can easily be automated with technology. Start by setting up auto-pay for your utilities, insurance, and other recurring expenses so you never have to worry about missing a payment.

• Postpartum Prep Tip: If you're still expecting, take the next month or two to track every bill you manually pay. Then, commit to setting those bills to auto-pay for at least the first six months after your baby arrives. This way, nothing will fall through the cracks when life gets busy, and you'll have one less thing to think about.

Tech Solutions to Simplify Life:

• There are so many tools and apps that can help make your life easier as a new parent. Consider using a shared task tracker like Google Keep (there are other apps like it but this is my fave!). It’s an incredibly simple app that allows you to create shared lists with your partner or family. For example, my husband and I have a shared grocery list on Google Keep that’s divided into three sections: Groceries, Target, and Costco. Whenever one of us notices we’re running low on something, we update the list. That way, whoever is at the store next has an up-to-date list of everything we need, from fruit to toothpaste to water filters. This simple system ensures nothing is missed, even when life is hectic.

• Other App Recommendations: Shared calendar apps like Cozi, or project management tools like Trello or Asana can help you keep track of things if you’re the kind of person who needs lists and structure. Simple alternatives like a family Google or Apple account and a shared calendar can also do the trick.

Automating just a few key tasks can make a significant difference in your day-to-day life as a new parent. By setting up systems now—like auto-pay for bills and shared lists for household needs—you’ll create opportunities for yourself to experience more calm and confidence in your postpartum journey. With the small but important details already taken care of, you’ll have more space to focus on the things that matter most.

Step 2: Delegating Tasks

One of the most important aspects of time management for new parents is learning to delegate. It’s tempting to try to do it all, but postpartum is not the time to stretch yourself too thin. Delegating tasks to your support network—whether it’s your partner, family members, or hired help—can make a huge difference in creating a more calm and confident postpartum experience. By sharing responsibilities, you can prioritize your rest, recovery, and bonding with your baby and still keep the rest of your day-to-day life humming along in the background.

Getting Support from Family and Friends:

• In the postpartum period, family and friends often offer to help but may not know exactly what you need. Be specific when asking for help—whether it's running errands, preparing meals, or watching older children. People often feel more comfortable when they have clear tasks.

• Postpartum Prep Tip: Book people in for repeatable help as much as possible. For example, if your garbage cans need to go to the curb every Tuesday, ask a friend or relative to commit to handling this task for a few weeks. If you’re worried your pet might feel neglected, schedule someone to walk your dog for an hour three times a week, or take care of yard cleanup or litter box duties. Is there gardening, grocery pickup, or laundry you can hand off to someone who asks, "What can I do?" Your homework, then, is to take them up on their offer and put them on the schedule.

Partner Involvement:

• Sharing the load with your partner is essential to maintaining balance and reducing stress during the early weeks with a newborn. Discuss ahead of time what each of you can take responsibility for—whether it’s taking shifts with the baby at night, handling diaper duty, or managing household chores like dishes and laundry.

• Postpartum Prep Tip: Especially if one or both of your schedules will change a lot (ie. dedicated time off work), make time for an open conversation with your partner about how to handle household tasks in a way that feels fair and manageable once the baby arrives. You can even establish a weekly "check-in" date to adjust the balance as you both settle into life with your baby.

Hiring Postpartum Help:

• Not everyone has a large or reliable support network to lean on, but that doesn’t mean you can’t get the help you need, whether with the baby or with household tasks. Consider outsourcing certain tasks to professionals, such as hiring a cleaning service, outsourcing laundry, signing up for meal kit delivery, or even investing in postpartum doula services for emotional and practical support during those early weeks.

• Postpartum Doulas: A postpartum doula can provide invaluable hands-on support with both baby care and household management, helping you transition more smoothly into parenthood. From answering questions about feeding to supporting your recovery, doulas can offer the kind of help that family members may not always be able to provide​.

Delegating tasks to others—whether to family, your partner, or hired professionals—frees up your time and energy so you can focus on what's most important: creating a calm, confident postpartum experience for yourself and your baby. Remember, it’s okay to ask for help and share the load. Parenthood is a team effort, and by gathering helpful people around you, you’ll feel more supported and able to enjoy these early weeks and months with your baby.

Step 3: Setting Up Systems Before Baby Arrives

While it maybe feels impossible to fully prepare for life with your baby, you can set up systems ahead of time that will make the transition smoother. Instead of trying to overhaul your entire household management during the second half of pregnancy though, focus on creating systems that foster a feeling of calm and a sense of control during your postpartum period. These don’t need to involve to-do lists or family meetings but can be as simple as setting clear expectations for tasks and support that give you peace of mind. The goal is to prioritize your recovery and bonding time with your baby, while ensuring you feel supported.

Prioritizing Calm and Setting Expectations:

• It’s important to recognize that the later stages of pregnancy are not the best time to try to systematize your entire household or start creating chore lists. Instead, focus on what tasks truly matter to your sense of calm and control in the postpartum period. Are there certain things that would make you feel more supported, cared for, or less stressed?

• Postpartum Prep Tip: Consider which tasks or responsibilities you’d like to delegate, either to your partner or someone else in your support network. For instance, would it bring you relief to know that your partner has taken over all kitchen clean-up, or that laundry will be collected every Tuesday and Friday? Perhaps having a family member come over every Sunday afternoon to give you an hour to yourself would give you a chance to recharge. Setting these expectations now can help prevent feelings of resentment or neglect once the baby arrives.

(Check out this blog post about Happy Habits in the Postpartum Period to go deeper into this topic)

Meal Prep and Planning:

• Having nutritious meals on hand is one of the best ways to support your postpartum recovery and ensure no one in your household goes hangry during those busy newborn days. Consider meal prepping or batch cooking in the weeks leading up to your baby’s birth. You can freeze meals for later or rely on a meal train organized by friends and family to have food delivered in the first few weeks.

• Postpartum Prep Tip: If meal prepping feels too overwhelming, look into meal delivery services like Hungryroot or Blue Apron. You can also set up grocery deliveries through services like Instacart or Amazon Fresh to get what you need without leaving the house.

(Check out my 6 Meal Planning Strategies post for more on this)

Setting Up Baby Care Stations:

• Having designated baby care stations in your home can make life much easier during those early days. Create a diaper changing station, a feeding station, and a safe sleep space for your baby so that everything you need is within reach, no matter where you are in your home.

• Postpartum Prep Tip: Stock your diaper changing station with plenty of diapers, wipes, ointments, and burp cloths. For your feeding station, have nursing pads, snacks, and a giant water bottle handy. By having these areas prepped ahead of time, you’ll avoid scrambling for supplies when your baby needs care.

(If setting up stations is exactly what you need to do next, go read my Preparing Baby Stations blog post)

I hope you see that setting up systems isn’t really about rigid structure and chore charts, but that with a bit of advance preparation, you really can create a sense of calm and control in the early days of parenthood. Whether that means clarifying expectations around household responsibilities, planning meals, or setting up baby care stations, these next steps will give you the confidence and peace of mind to focus on bonding with your baby and taking care of yourself. A little planning now can go a long way in helping you create a more relaxed postpartum experience.

Setting the Foundation for a Calm and Confident Postpartum

Becoming a parent is a life-changing experience, but it doesn’t have to be overwhelming. By automating daily tasks, delegating responsibilities, and setting up simple systems before your baby arrives, you’re setting your whole family up for a calmer, more confident postpartum period. These strategies allow you to focus on what really matters: bonding with your baby and taking care of your own recovery.

Remember, the goal isn’t to do everything perfectly and according to the schedule—it’s to feel supported, rested, and ready to navigate this new chapter with less stress and more joy. Whether that means you’re setting up auto-pay for bills, booking help for tasks like laundry and pet care, or preparing meals in advance, every bit of planning will help ease the load during those early weeks with your newborn.

Next Steps:

This post draws heavily from one of my lessons in the Prepping for Parenthood course. If you love this content, I encourage you to explore the course for more in-depth information and support.

The Prepping for Parenthood Course:

1. Comprehensive Modules: The course offers detailed modules covering all aspects of the postpartum period, including physical recovery, emotional support, and newborn care. Whether you're preparing for a surgical birth or a vaginal birth, the course provides valuable information to help you manage your recovery and adjust to life with a newborn.

2. Expert Guidance: Learn from me, a certified and experienced postpartum doula, about topics like postpartum preparation, newborn care, lactation, and safe infant sleep. My goal is to provide you with the knowledge and confidence you need to navigate this new phase of life.

3. Flexible Learning: Access the course materials at your own pace, allowing you to revisit important topics as needed. This flexibility ensures that you can fit the course into your busy schedule as a new parent.

By enrolling in Prepping for Parenthood, you'll gain access to a wealth of knowledge and support that can make a significant difference in your postpartum experience.

Share Your Story!

I want to hear from you! Your experiences and insights are valuable, not only to me but also to other new parents who may be reading this post. Here are some ways to engage and connect:

Leave a comment below: What is the very next thing you’re going to automate or delegate so you don’t have to think about it once your baby arrives?

Or send me a DM on Instagram to share the steps you’re taking to be able to prioritize your rest in the early postpartum period. Your stories can provide support and comfort to others going through similar experiences ❤️

Join My Community:

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Explore More Resources:

Check out my other blog posts on postpartum care, physical recovery, and emotional support. Here are a few you might find helpful:

• How to Prepare for Postpartum: A Comprehensive Guide for Pregnant families

• What is a Postpartum Doula and How Can They Help You?

• 4 Practical Ways a Virtual Postpartum Doula Can Help

Learn More About My Postpartum Doula Services:

Interested in personalized support? Learn more about myDay with a Doula and All Access Doula Pass services, which allow you to reach out for one-on-one doula care when you need it most! These services offer tailored support and guidance to help you navigate the challenges of early parenthood with confidence.

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