7 Unexpected Ways Nesting Can Make Your Pregnancy Better
The instinct to nest in the pregnancy phase is a basic biological instinct of mothers. It is basically nature’s way of making you prepared to nurture your baby. In this article, we will cover all of the best tips for nesting.
Every animal goes through this natural instinct, so while you are pregnant, you can prepare yourself for this beautiful phase of your pregnancy. Knowing more about nesting will help you get a more in-depth idea about nesting during pregnancy.
Table of Contents
What is Nesting During Pregnancy?
The nesting instinct, or simply nesting, is indicated as the burst of mental energy expecting mothers get in the last phase of pregnancy, which inspires them to make preparations for the baby in order to nurture them in the best way possible. A mother might start cleaning the house and organizing things around. She might start buying new baby toys and clothes in order to prepare herself for nurturing the child.
This productive activity helps the moms to get everything clean, organized, and stocked up for the new member of the family. However, some women don’t experience this urge, and they might want to do nothing about the coming baby. Although it is a rare thing to happen, it isn’t something to worry about. We are all built differently.
When Does Nesting Typically Start in Pregnancy?
Nesting usually starts around the very end of the pregnancy, the 38th or 39th week of pregnancy, or just around the expected date of delivery. The overall increase in adrenaline rushing through your body at this stage of pregnancy plays a role in the nesting instinct. What’s more, your emotions also play a vital part in initiating this instinct. Nesting induces you to make the most out of the time you have before the baby arrives, which can be quite challenging and hectic for some mothers.
Nesting usually starts as soon as you reach your later stages of pregnancy, typically at the end of most weeks of your third trimester. As these energy boosts tend to occur a bit late in your pregnancy time, a lot of women might believe that nesting is one of the signs of labor.
What Are the Basic Signs of Nesting?
You might have some nesting instinct signs in your pregnancy third trimester if you find yourself having the urge to do the following things:
- Wash as well as fold your clothes, sheets, and towels
- Organize as well as clean your refrigerator thoroughly
- Clean your bathroom thoroughly
- Prepare food for the next week
- Get rid of any used or unwanted things which don’t contribute to your baby’s nourishment.
- These are some signs indicating that your nesting instinct is activated.
Is Nesting a good thing?
You don’t need to control your urge to do certain things. However, you need to make sure that you don’t over-exert yourself as you are preparing to nest. Make sure that you are having the rest that you require so that you are able to save up your health and energy for delivering the baby and nurturing your baby as they arrive.
Take the feelings you have for this instinct and do the tasks with delegation. It is among the phases in life that receptivity of delegation is relatively easier.
Tips for Nesting
You need to stay sensible during your nesting phase. You shouldn’t be climbing, overreaching, or lifting anything that’s too heavy. Also, don’t do any risky tasks, such as getting on a ladder to scrub off something. Also, avoid using toxic and harsh cleaners and chemical detergents. Make sure you wear your gloves.
You also need to take adequate rest and take snacks often. Don’t overdo it as the delivery and labor time comes closer. You need to save your energy for the big time.
Here are some other little details you might need to keep in mind as the nesting period approaches:
- Restock Refrigerator
As you make preparations for birth, clean your refrigerator and throw all outdated and expired items out of the fridge. Make room for new and fresh produce. Ask someone to do grocery for you or do it yourself as you make a list of the items needed in your fridge. Make sure you have essential items brought for the big time. For example, salad greens, cheese, yogurt, milk, roasted chicken, fruit, and every type of snack and salad that may come in handy a few weeks late is good.
2. Stock Up the Pantry
Make sure you have your pantry stored enough. You wouldn’t have much time to do grocery shopping as the labor pains hit and the baby arrives.
So line up your shelves and organize everything according to the food group. Keep everything in transparent containers so that you can easily find what you want later on. Dried fruits, nuts, seeds, healthy oils like olive oil, cereal, whole-grain biscuits, pasta, brown rice, and a whole bunch of healthy items are helpful.
3. Cook Enough Meals
Prep your meals in your later stages of pregnancy so that you don’t get into a last-minute rush as the time comes near. Keep everything prepared. Make some extra servings of the foods that you enjoy and store them in the freezer in different containers. Use some markers to note down the frozen items, so you don’t end up getting confused when you want to use them later on. It is especially important if you are having cravings and are sick of the hospital food.
You will also be highly grateful for the dozens of meals and snacks present in your pantry as you approach your delivery time. Simply defrost your meals in a pan or microwave, and you are good to go.
4. Do Laundry that doesn’t need to be done weekly
Toss any dirty bedroom sheets, rugs, pillows, duvet covers, throw rugs, and bedroom sheets in the washing machine. As the baby arrives, your dryer and washer will need to be functioning hard enough to spit up any stains and dirt.
5. Do Deep Cleaning
Just like spring cleaning, when you have the energy burst of cleaning everything in your home and wardrobe, nesting season also lets you have the boost in your energy to clean everything. See anything that needs some deep cleaning and go for it. Wipe down any blinds and windowsills.
Do some vacuuming behind the sofa and also below the sofa cushions. There are chances that you might find something long lost as you go through it. Also, do dusting of any furniture and picture frames right before the big time comes.
However, you need to be very sensible about your quest for cleaning up. You don’t have to push yourself if you feel yourself getting exhausted. Instead, delegate the tasks to someone else and don’t do anything that puts you at risk of falling.
6. Buy the Baby Outfits
One of the most sensible choices to shop is to go for some online shopping while you are nesting for your baby. The items that you might want to buy include some sweaters, booties, onesies, and t-shirts. You might want to get anything that keeps your baby clean, tidy, and covered as they arrive.
Onesies are your friend, they are easy to change and the ones with pants make great PJs that keep your little one warm through the night.
7. Buy Your Outfits
You are going to be a mother as your baby arrives in this world. So, make sure you do yourself a favor and stock nursing pads, nursing shirts, and nursing bras as you have your best instinct. Also, buy some fresh and comfortable undergarments that would let you live motherhood with ease.
You might want to get some comfortable and big clothes to wear after your baby’s birth. Make sure there is extra clothing as there is a lot of blood loss and discharge after delivery. You want to make sure you dispose of any clothes that aren’t cleaned through washing.
8. Buy whatever you did not get at your baby shower
This is a good time to buy those extra necessities such as diaper rash ointments, baby wipes, diapers, bibs, and all other important stuff. Make sure you stock up any disposable items that need to be used regularly. You need to stock on some cotton pads, baby soaps, some bottles, and nipples. What’s more, invest in a digital thermometer, nasal syringe, rubbing alcohol, nail clippers, etc.
9. Prepare the nursery
You want to have everything ready, changing table, diapers, wipes, walls painted and decorated.
Get the painting and furniture ready as soon as you find out you are pregnant… or close to it. That way if you have an early delivery, you and your baby will be more comfortable!
A rocker is a VERY helpful piece of furniture I recommend to make you comfortable when nursing or when trying to rock your baby to sleep.
A rocker with a footrest is essential when you are sitting for long periods of time and feeding your baby can take quite some time. It is also safer if you are sleep-deprived to have a safe, soft chair to rest while putting your baby to sleep.
- Metal base that allows for a smooth and gentle 360-degree swivel motion and forward and backward gliding so you can be comfortable as you feed or rock your baby to sleep
- Being a parent is hard work. High back allows moms and dads to comfortably lean back for some much-needed rest.
Also, rugs if you have hard floors or you want to just add a large piece of decor that will fill your space.
Avoid any mobiles or night lights that make the room too bright. If you need a light, try to keep one in the hallway that will not impair the baby’s ability to sleep. Too much light can suppress our body’s natural production of melatonin, including your baby’s.
10. Create a Changing Station
I highly recommend purchasing a few different brands of diaper ointments to see which one you like but the ones that have worked best for my children are the Burt’s Bees Diaper Creams or the Butt Paste.
A good ointment and chemical-free wipes can be essential for dealing with your baby’s dirty diapers and what better time to be preparing for this than when you are nesting?
A pro tip is to add some coconut oil to your baby’s bath to keep their skin soft and hydrated and to give them some serious diaper rash fighting power.
11. Learn About Breastfeeding
This is something that of course takes practice and you can’t obviously do that without your baby. However, learning different techniques, positions, should you use a pillow to nurse or should you skip it?
All these things are things you should spend time researching and getting the necessary supplies for during nesting, to help you feel as prepared as you can be.
12. Prepare for Your After Care
Do your research on what you need to do for yourself as a mother after having a baby. I HIGHLY recommend a perineal spray, ice pads, comfortable clothes, and lots of snacks. Giving birth is exhausting, keeping yourself hydrated and full afterward can help improve your recovery.
- With witch hazel and organic peppermint essential oil for before and after childbirth
- No parabens, butane, benzocaine, propellants, or artificial preservatives or fragrance
- Store in the refrigerator for extra cooling.Dye-free
I recommend bringing snacks to the hospital or birthing area of your choice.
Bring a sleep noise machine if that helps you and possibly baby to relax better!
In Summary
These are some tips and frequently asked questions about a soon-to-be mother’s natural nesting instinct. Follow your urge, but remember not to overdo it as you want to save up your energy and health for delivery and post-birth challenges.
Don’t doubt yourself and you may be questioning if you are ready to have a baby or not, but don’t worry every parent has felt that way.
Utilize the help you have and prepare as early on as you can!
Originally posted 2022-02-01 04:25:53.
Megan Santiago
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