Beyond the Nursery: an Out-of-the-Box Nesting Checklist for Moms-to-Be
Whether you’ve been methodically prepping for baby since the day you saw those two parallel lines—or you’ve found yourself in week-37 panic mode, nesting should (hopefully!) be a fun and exciting stop on the path to parenthood.
So how should you get started to nest for success? Consider these 15 nesting tips gathered from pediatric nurses, doulas, midwives and moms who’ve been there, done that. Below, they share the top to-do’s to add to your list.
You can’t pour from an empty cup. The most important thing you can do to prep for baby’s arrival is to prioritize what you’ll need in the early days and weeks of your postpartum journey. “Healthy, well-fed parents are more easily able to take care of their babies,” says Laura Siddons, doula and co-founder of The Nesting Place. So first things first: Make sure your pantry and fridge are filled with nourishing snacks and drinks.
While you’re at it, you’ll want to make sure you have everything you need ready for your recovery well in advance. Nutrition expert, wellness leader and Mama Glow founder, Latham Thomas, encourages moms-to-be to stock up on super-absorbent maxi pads, witch hazel, Tucks medicated pads and ice packs (not the kinds of things you want to run out of in the middle of the night).
2. Stock Up on Newborn Needs
During the first few weeks that you have a newborn at home, you’re bound to be exhausted and completely devoted to making sure all of baby’s needs are met. While you’ll certainly need to dash out for something or the other, keeping store runs to a minimum will make everyone’s life easier. Moms on Call co-founder Laura Hunter, LPN, points to the six basics every baby needs: A safe sleep surface, diaper supplies, onesies and footed sleepers, swaddles, a sound machine and feeding supplies. You’ve got these, and you’re good to go!
Want to save yourself even more trips to the store? Thomas suggests getting baby soap, cotton pads, a rectal digital thermometer, rubbing alcohol, a nasal syringe, nail clippers, BPA-free bottles, nipples and more. “For such little creatures, babies need so much. They go through more clothes, diapers and creams than you can imagine,” Thomas adds.
If you want to have baby’s nursery entirely decked out for their arrival, go for it! But if you’re overwhelmed, know that you don’t have to have all the decor and final touches finalized. This can happen over time and on your terms. For now, all that baby really needs is a safe sleep set up. “This includes a separate bassinet or crib with a flat, firm mattress and nothing else in the crib (including blankets, pillows, and toys),” says Rebekah Diamond, MD, a board certified pediatrician, assistant professor at Columbia University and New York City hospitalist. What’s more, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends that you have share a room with baby—but not the same sleeping surface—until they’re ideally one or at least 6 months old. In other words: baby probably won’t be using their nursery for at least a little while.
Of all the things Siddons would do differently if she were going through the nesting stage again, she resoundingly advocates for more meal prep! “I recommend starting a freezer stash early on—even if it’s just one container of leftovers from a meal you’re making during your pregnancy,” she adds.
If you aren’t much of a chef yourself, consider asking friends and family who are eager to help to coordinate a meal train, where each community member drops by on a designated day with a different dish.
Valerie Trumbower, PCD, CLC, founder of New Parents Academy, recommends creating a fun feeding-time box for toddler siblings. Fill a basket or box with activities, books and games that your older child can play with while you’re feeding the baby. When the feeding is over, be sure to put the box away. When it’s time to feed the baby, they’ll be excited to play with the contents of their special box again.
“Wash your towels, duvet cover, pillow shams, throw rugs, guest sheets and anything else that needs a once-over before baby arrives,” advises Thomas. This is not the time to get behind on laundry, as you’ll soon have plenty of itty-bitty onesies, pajamas and blankets to wash alongside your normal loads. If you plan on pre-washing baby clothes (and the AAP recommends that you do!), consider a dye-free, fragrance-free detergent that will be safe for baby’s sensitive skin. And if you live in a place where you don’t have access to laundry, Thomas suggests hiring a laundry service, if possible, to take care of your needs for the first six weeks postpartum until you get into a rhythm.
Those first few weeks and months, you won’t have time to cook and prep full meals. Ahead of baby’s arrival, take a moment to clean, take inventory of your fridge and pantry and stock up on snack staples. “It’s all about keeping the pantry healthy and convenient. Think nuts (the perfect nutrient-dense nibbler), trail mix, quinoa and broths for easy soups. Other goods to get as you prepare for birth: whole-grain crackers, canned beans, brown rice and healthy sauces. Out with the old, in with the new!” advises Thomas.
Whatever the season, now’s the time to tackle spring cleaning (even if it’s the dead of winter). Wipe down the window sills and blinds, mop the floors and vacuum under the couch and between the cushions. Thomas recommends using chemical-free cleaning materials. Most importantly, don’t push yourself if you’re exhausted. Now is a good time to treat yourself to a cleaning service if you can.
There’s no way to sugarcoat it—stuff is about to take over your home. Every room has the potential to become an obstacle course of tripping hazards—and just wait until your kiddo gets older and discovers Legos. Now is the time to make room for all of the new things. “Without fail, I’d get possessed with the decluttering bug in month 7. I’d go through my closest, my older kids’ closets, my basement and the garage, and make huge donation piles. It felt so good to get rid of the excess space-hoggers in our home. Of course, that space quickly got taken up by new baby items, but it still felt satisfying in the moment. Plus, donating to others was a win!,” says Lauren Barth, associate content director at The Bump and mom of three in Long Island, New York.
“Don’t overbuy while you prepare for birth, but make sure you’re well-stocked on those newborn essentials (T-shirts, onesies, sweaters, receiving blankets and booties),” says Thomas. Don’t bother folding everything, simply throw similar items into a drawer for easy access.
Does your dog look forward to a daily walk? Do you feel like that is something you or your partner will be available to do in the first weeks after the baby is born? If not, Trumbower recommends that parents-to-be consider making arrangements to have a neighbor help or hire a dog walker. “Keeping your dog’s routines consistent can help make the transition go more smoothly for everyone,” she adds.
Get your hospital bag packed and ready. After three babies and working as a pediatric on-call nurse for years, Hunter has perfected the art of the minimalist hospital bag. “The hospital gives you so much stuff and really has everything you and baby truly need,” she notes. “That being said, you do want to be comfortable, so having some of your own stuff will make those few days more enjoyable.”
“It’s very important to have your car seat ready for the ride home from the hospital,” says Diamond. In fact, someone at the hospital will likely ask about your car seat situation before releasing you and baby. Of course, installing a car seat base can be a bit stressful. Diamond also notes that your local fire department may be willing to check the installation to ensure it’s properly in place. Hunter also recommends practicing buckling a baby in with a doll.
“Are there any birthdays you will want to send a card or gift for? Any bills that will be due? Does tax date fall in the first few months after baby will be born?” asks Trumbower. “By looking ahead at your calendar and taking time to plan pre-baby, you don’t miss any important dates or deadlines and you’re not running out to take care of these things when you could be home cuddling your baby.”
Excited to spread the word once baby makes their grand debut? Let your birth coach and partner know who to inform. Thomas says that from there you can set up a call chain, where you enlist five people who call five people who call another five people, and the information gets disseminated quickly and effectively.
At the end of the day, Trumbower reminds parents-to-be that this list of nesting to-dos shouldn’t be seen as a checklist that must be completed before baby arrives. “Instead, choose one or two things that would make the biggest impact and try to focus on getting those things done. It can be helpful to have a friend’s help or even have someone sit with you while you tackle these tasks. So if anyone asks if there’s anything they can do to help in the weeks leading up to your due date, don’t hesitate to ask.”
Plus, more from The Bump:
Rebekah Diamond, MD, is a board certified pediatrician, assistant professor at Columbia University, New York City hospitalist and the proud mother of two littles. She is also the author of Parent Like a Pediatrician and Eat Sleep Tantrum Repeat. She earned her medical degree from the Mount Sinai School of Medicine.
Laura Hunter, LPN, is the co-founder of Moms on Call, a mother of five (including a set of twins), a pediatric nurse, an entrepreneur and an infant care consultant. Hunter has a passion for inspiring and encouraging parents and continues to provide infant consultations in the Atlanta area, plus virtual consultations worldwide.
Laura Siddons is a doula and the co-founder of The Nesting Place Long Island and tumtum USA. She has had a passion for moms and babies since she can remember. She became a birth doula in 2008 and since then has supported hundreds of mothers and families.
Latham Thomas is the founder of Mama Glow, co-founder of the Mama Glow Film Festival and Mama Glow Salon Series, platforms for education, advocacy and philanthropy in maternal health. She is also the author of Mama Glow: A Hip Guide to Your Fabulous Abundant Pregnancy. She lives in NY with her son.
Valerie Trumbower, PCD, CLC, is the founder of New Parents Academy and a mother of three, including a set of twins! As a postpartum Doula and certified lactation counselor, Trumbower uses her expertise to teach expectant parents what they need to know to feel confident and prepared when their baby arrives.
American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), Safe Sleep HealthyChildren.org, American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), Cleaning Baby Clothes, Nov. 2009
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