Nesting is a strange phenomenon. Just when you’re about to topple over from the weight of your growing belly, you suddenly decide to purge the linen closet, go all “The Great British Bake Off” in the kitchen, and clean the bathroom like your life depends on it. Why? As cute as folding tiny baby socks may be, there’s a practical, psychological, problem-solving drive behind the urge.
When your baby arrives, life will be all about them. And you are meant to rest while they sleep—you don’t want to be cleaning out closets then! Embracing the nesting instinct is a good way of minimizing the amount of things that might tempt you not to rest once your baby arrives.
As long as your healthcare provider gives you the all clear and you feel up to the task, take advantage of the time you have before your hands are inevitably full of cuter and more demanding things. And to make the most of your nesting urges, here are some of our tried-and-true tips.
Use labels as a visual reminder.
Attach reassuring labels to remind yourself the job is done. A ‘packed and ready to go!’ tag tied onto the handle of your hospital bag will make you feel great.
Take a beat before giving in to a new urge.
When you feel the urge to paint the kitchen, set the timer on your phone and do something to distract yourself. Chances are, the urge will have passed by the time the timer sounds.
Add star ratings to your to-do list.
Think: three stars for must-do tasks, two for would be good to do, and one for could do after the baby is born. Start with the three-star tasks, and tick them off as you complete them, so you have visual reassurance that you’re making progress. Try our Nesting Checklist to help get you started.
Ask for help.
That bathtub might very well need a good scrub before baby comes, but that doesn’t mean you have to be the one to do it. We always talk about the benefits of asking for help once baby comes, but delegating nesting tasks to friends and family before your little one arrives is great practice! Don’t be afraid to bring in professionals as well. One of our favorite tips to share is to pay for a professional house cleaning service right before baby comes so you can feel peace about bringing baby home to a sparkling house without putting yourself into labor by spending hours vacuuming and scrubbing.
Include YOU on your to-do list.
In case you were wondering, ensuring that you are rested and prepared to welcome baby is more important than washing the curtains or ordering enough diapers to last the entire first year. Don’t forfeit your own health and sanity for the sake of a to-do list. At the end of the day, baby isn’t going to notice whether the baseboards have been dusted or the nursery is finished, but you will notice if you’ve pushed yourself too hard.
Make backup plans.
Life rarely goes according to plan. If you’re further along, it’s important not to overdo it. Make a Plan A of what you want to achieve before your baby is born, but make a Plan B and a Plan C as well. Put deadlines on these lists and prioritize them with your partner, but also give yourself grace in knowing that once your baby arrives, your priorities will probably change.
Spend time in your nest.
Now is the perfect opportunity to spend some extra time with your friends and family. You’ll be busy with your baby soon, and probably a little sleep-deprived too, so fill up that cup of friendship and love, so you have plenty in the reserves.
