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Any expecting Moms in the house? If so..CONGRATS! I am thrilled and excited for your upcoming Bundle-o-Joy! The last few months/weeks before baby’s arrival are busy ones. This is the time where many expectant moms start “nesting.” The following are some great tips and ideas for Getting Ready for Baby-The Nesting Instinct.
SO…what is the Nesting?
“The nesting instinct is the name given to the distinctive urge to clean, tidy, and organize that occurs during pregnancy. One of the many pregnancy symptoms that you will experience, the nesting instinct generally kicks in around the fifth month of pregnancy; however it can also occur much earlier or much later. Many women acutely experience the nesting instinct in the final days of their pregnancy, and this can often be a sign that labor and delivery is close at hand. Nesting tends to vary from woman to woman; in fact, some women don’t experience the nesting instinct at all when they are pregnant. Others experience mild forms of the instinct while others feel the urge much more severely.”-Yahoo
Sound familiar? It’s a fun time of preparation and planning as well. Gotta get the house ready for baby, right? The following is a great checklist to help you ready your life and home for baby:
1. Security. Whether its overall home security or just monitors in the baby’s room, take the steps to make your “nest” a safe and secure place. At minimum, the peace-of-mind will be priceless.
2. Designate a Space: Find a place or space that will be only for baby. It doesn’t even have to be an entire room. Your “space” can be an area in your bedroom or part of a guest room. The idea is to set up a “station” for sleeping, changing, feeding, and dressing. Keeping everything contained in one spot eliminates hunting all over the house muttering, “now where did I leave that bum ointment.” Here is a series on Organizing your home that might help.
3. Get your “team” in place. Your team could be pediatrician, daycare provider, nanny, and sources for all your baby gear (find free baby equipment & more here). Do the interviewing/meeting process ahead of time so the transition when baby comes will be smooth and stress free.
4. SHOP! OK, who doesn’t like this part? Take the time before baby arrives to get all the necessary gear. Online sites like Amazon, Zulily, and Target are great for getting “baby basics.” If you are looking to save a few bucks, try ThredUp, Once Upon A Child, eBay and Trading Cradles for “previously loved” items. Stock up on warm blankets, sheets, bassinets, cribs, pacifiers and bottles, carriers and slings (You can get those for free here), clothes, socks, a diaper bag and whatever diaper choice you are making (cloth or disposable). Knowing you have the right gear on hand before baby comes will be a comfort and be one less thing new parents need to worry about.
5. Rally The Troops! Establish a network of friends and family to help during those long nights, time of sickness, and just anytime you feel like you need a break. Important piece of advice- if someone offers you help.TAKE IT!
6. Get Ready To Enjoy: Don’t let stress and anxiety rob you of this precious time and the miracle of birth. Enjoy every moment, every kick and the buzz of excitement that goes with expecting your new baby. And when baby finally arrives, cherish the togetherness and bonding that will create a closer relationship with your baby within those first important hours following childbirth.
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