nesting is an extra burst of energy focused on cleaning and organizing the home to make things ready for the baby’s arrival. it happens in the third trimester. it does not mean labor is starting.

nesting is a natural response of taking control over you and your baby’s environment.  it becomes apparent in the third trimester but is very evident in those final days/weeks of waiting for the new baby’s arrival.

it is common to become focused on the cleanliness of the environment when waiting on baby. getting a room cleaned from top to bottom. dusting, mopping, doing laundry, and scrubbing until everything shines are common traits of the nesting phase.

i have been nesting all week while waiting on my next doula family to have their baby.  you know what nesting is, right? for me, it is that rare desire to clean and clean and clean. it’s like spring cleaning or deep cleaning. it almost never happens at my house.  it looks like a laser-focused desire to prepare the home for what is next. i have been making meals for the freezer and freeing the house of dust bunnies. i broke the vacuum.  dust bunnies got around the motor and the belt instead of just filling the canister while cleaning the electric baseboards that are not used often. don’t panic, i had tidied up the house, just not the deep cleaning stuff.

preparing your home while nesting room by room

master bedroom nesting

clean and declutter the bedroom. baby proof all outlets in every room and double check.

dust everything from the ceiling down to the floors.

have a comfortable chair to feed the baby in especially during the night.

clear a low dresser top and make it into a diaper changing station. include a caddy holding all the diaper changing essentials: diapers, wipes, butt paste and extra set of clothes.

put up a bed for baby. a bassinet or a co-sleeper bed are good options. pull it close to your bed during the night.

assemble a rolling breast-pumping cart and fill each shelf with mom/s things, baby’s things, and extras.

purchase a good diaper genie trash can and place near the changing area.

nesting in the baby’s room

set up the baby furniture

organize the nursery. include a comfy rocker/glider, crib, changing table, and an area for baby’s clothes. a dresser would be nice or a shelving unit holding baskets could help with organizing.

stock up on diapers and wipes and butt paste.

fill a diaper caddy and place where you will be changing diapers. include lots of diapers, an extra set of clothes, butt paste, burp/spit up cloth, nail clippers for baby, thermometer.

purchase a large rug for baby to have tummy time and play safely on the ground.

wash the new baby clothes and put away in baby’s dresser or closet by size and season

nesting in the kitchen area

clean out the fridge and make room for the meal train. that is when friends sign up to bring a meal on a certain night.

grocery shop and fill up the fridge, freezer, and pantry to avoid having to shop right after baby is born.

each time you make a dish, make extra and freeze to eat after the baby comes home.

stock up on paper products to save washing dishes. extra paper towels, toilet paper, napkins, paper plates and bowls.

designate an area of the counter for all the supplies for feeding baby: breast pump parts, bottles, formula, and a place for cleaning and sterilizing. everything.

use that nesting energy to make the bathroom sparkle.

this is what i do when my bathroom sparkles: i have a maternity photo session. isn’t that what everyone does in a clean bathroom! what do you do with that burst of energy during nesting?

buy several cheap towels (dollar tree has a large variety of inexpensive towels) to wipe up any bathroom spills during the postpartum period and also, to use as a rug when you are getting out of the shower. the towels may get bloody. you can throw them in the wash or throw them in the trash.

make a  postpartum kit for the bathroom. all the postpartum supplies, pads, panties, peri bottle, sitz bath cushion, etc.

put a larger trash can in the bathroom during postpartum. keep extra bags in the bottom of the can to replace the trash bags easily.

create a space in the bathroom for all of the items for baby’s bath including a bath tub for tiny folks, towel, wash cloth, baby wash and shampoo, and lotion.

clean out the car and get it ready for baby to come home

install the car seat and have it checked at the fire station

get a baby mirror or set up a camera with an app to be able to see baby safely while you are driving.

pack the diaper bag. diapers, wipes, mat to lay the baby on, extra set of clothes, bottle, formula, water, a cover up if desired for breastfeeding, mom snacks, and large water bottle.

gather and organize a few books and toys to entertain baby during car rides.

pack the hospital bag and just go ahead and keep it in the car.

i hope my nesting energy stays with me until i have completed my task of a deep cleaned house! i went from room to room and started from top to bottom dusting ceilings and fans. i live with a wood stove for heat and the house was dusty. i dusted walls and washed windows inside and out including screens. i had help too. someone came and helped with the windows and i asked for help with the regular cleaning which helped me conserve my energy for the things not done as often like baseboards and electric baseboard heat and curtains. the house feels wonderful but doesn’t look very different, but i feel it. the cleanliness is amazing and now to tackle some piles of laundry sitting in the middle of my bedroom!

ever wonder what a postpartum doula does? click here to find out.

more about grammie doula:

i offer in-person and virtual postpartum doula support in sw virginia and my clients call me “grammie doula”.  i have 25 years as a labor and delivery nurse and then 10 years as a birth photographer.

i am a mom to 3 grown children, 6 grandchildren and a baby in heaven. i live in a cabin in the woods with my gray-bearded husband and two pets that prefer his company over mine!

want to read about my speedy 2nd birth? it’s exciting.