When do you start nesting in pregnancy?

As you move into the later stages of pregnancy, you typically feel more tired. However, you might experience a sudden burst of energy to tidy, clean and organise everything in your home. This is known as nesting – your body’s natural way of getting ready for your baby’s arrival. This guide will help you discover everything you need to know to fully embrace the nesting period.

What is nesting and when does it start?

Nesting during pregnancy is the act of preparing your home for your baby’s arrival. It is what women often experience in the last few weeks of pregnancy, driven by the psychological urge to provide a safe environment. This sudden desire usually kicks in around the 28-week mark, also known as the third trimester.

Some women don’t get the nesting urge, and that is perfectly normal too. There is no need to worry if you don’t experience the feeling of nesting during your pregnancy.

How do you know when you’re nesting?

How you nest may differ from other mums, but nesting typically involves making physical preparations for becoming a parent. During this time of pregnancy, you’ll likely feel sluggish and exhausted due to hormonal changes but, when nesting hits, you’ll experience that burst of motivation.   

If you get the urge to clean and organise, go ahead and do it. Now is the perfect time to get things done, making life easier once your baby arrives. You do need to remember that your body is probably exhausted during your third trimester though, so make sure you’re not overdoing it.

Things to do while you’re nesting

While you’re nesting, you’ll find yourself tackling those household chores and projects that you won’t be able to do once your baby has arrived. Here are a few common tasks around the house that you might do while nesting:

Set up a change station downstairs

It’s always handy to keep your baby-changing essentials in a few spots around your house to make the daily routine a bit easier. This small addition of multiple nappy caddies can make a big difference in your day-to-day life. Milton’s Antibacterial Surface Wipes are a great essential for your changing station kit, as they’re perfect for quick clean up.

Fill the freezer

Once your baby is here, you and your partner may be too tired to think about cooking every day. We recommend cooking extra portions of your favourite meals and storing them in the freezer, labelled with the dates.

This will mean you have home-cooked meals ready to defrost and enjoy whenever you need them. You’ll be grateful for the comforting meals you’ve already prepared while settling into this new life.

Sorting out the baby’s clothes

Now is the perfect time to start removing the tags, washing, folding and sorting your baby’s clothes into the correct age groups. This makes sure everything is clean, soft and ready for use, along with making all their clothes easy to reach. We’ve created a simple guide to help you with washing your baby’s clothes.

Deep clean

You may have the urge to deep clean your house from top to bottom and find yourself cleaning things you wouldn’t normally worry about so much. Just remember not to push yourself too much and take plenty of breaks to rest.

Milton’s hygiene products are ideal for cleaning and disinfecting every area and piece of equipment in your house once the baby is here. Having the right products on-hand to keep your space fresh and germ-free will give you peace of mind knowing your home is clean and safe for your baby.

Pack your hospital bag

Having your hospital bag ready is recommended, as you can go into labour at any point once you’re 37 weeks. Make sure you’ve included bits for yourself, your baby, and your partner.

Also, remember to pack all the essential documents to help you feel organised, calm and prepared for labour. It will reduce last-minute stress and ensure nothing important is forgotten. We have a helpful guide on what to pack so you won’t forget anything.

What to avoid during nesting

While you’re nesting, the most important thing to remember is that this is a natural part of pregnancy; it’s about going with the flow and taking advantage of the nesting urge to get tasks done, while being careful and looking after yourself.

Make sure to avoid lifting heavy objects and doing things like climbing ladders. Also, while you’re cleaning, be careful when using strong chemicals like bleach, as this isn’t the best for you or your baby. As we’ve mentioned, it’s very important to avoid overworking and recommend that you listen to your body.

Nesting helps turn your house into a home ready for your baby, creating a calm space before life’s biggest adventure begins. Milton’s range of sterilising products and hygiene essentials can make life a little easier when your baby arrives. Shop our hygiene and sterilising products today.