Nesting During Pregnancy: When It Start And Tips To Follow

Nesting during pregnancy is a trait that causes you to become obsessed with cleanliness, assembling, and stockpiling to welcome your newborn’s arrival at your home. This impulse is not exclusive to pregnant humans; it also exists in birds and animals. But what motivates you to clean and organize so obsessively during pregnancy? This post explains the pregnant nesting instinct in detail.

What Is Pregnancy Nesting?

Nesting is an act or process of preparing your home to welcome the newborn. It is a common biological trait associated with a sudden burst of energy during late pregnancy. It involves physical preparations for motherhood, such as baby-proofing the house, cleaning the entire home, buying baby gear and also doing laundry. You may even begin emotional preparation by spending more time and bonding with the partner and the unborn by talking to them (1).

In 2013, researchers from McMaster University, Canada, studied the nesting instinct in pregnant women and found that the behavior was active in the third trimester. At this time, women spent more time cleaning, organizing, and preparing their homes for the arrival of their babies. Experts state that nesting is not inane and provides a safe environment to promote mother-child bonding (2).

When Does Nesting Start In Pregnancy?

Your nesting instincts develop months before your due date and are the strongest just before the delivery (1).

Do All Pregnant Women Nest?

Not all pregnant women will experience this nesting instinct. Some women have the urge and others may not. A few may be unable to nest because of physical restrictions such as being on bed rest, or due to prior infertility treatments or miscarriages. Every woman is different, so is their pregnancy and changes (3).

There may also be some women who have strenuous jobs taking most of their time and energy, so they do not have the motivation to nest.

However, it is unclear why some women have this instinct while others don’t.

What Induces The Nesting Instinct During Pregnancy?

There is no specific reason why women exhibit nesting in pregnancy. The following reasons may trigger your urge to nest:

• High energy levels in the second trimester let you do more work

• The anticipation of the baby’s arrival and the desire to have everything ready

• Frustration and boredom as you tend to stay idle during pregnancy

• Motherly instinct to protect the newborn

• Thoughts that are caring for the baby will require a lot of energy and time, and you need to be ready before the arrival

• Urge to clean the home increases once you get off that queasy feeling of morning sickness and start feeling energetic

These factors can cause specific behaviors that indicate you are in the nesting phase.

How Do You Know If You Are Nesting?

Every pregnant woman who is nesting might exhibit different behaviors and actions. Here are a few common signs that indicate you are nesting:

• Organizing: You tend to wash, fold and organize the baby’s clothing and gear several times a day and may want to do it again and again.

• Protecting: Choosing to spend time with family and friends to stay close to home and extensively cleaning every part of the house out of the protective instinct to keep your baby safe.

• Cleaning: An urge to clean every part of the house and the baby’s clothes, toys, and feeding utensils.

• Packing: You feel the need to keep the hospital bag ready with your and your baby’s essentials.

• Planning and stocking: Creating a checklist for baby items and buying everything the baby may need. You may be up at night surfing the online websites for baby essentials.

These behaviors can manifest anytime from a few days to a few months before labor.

Is Nesting During Pregnancy A Sign Of Labor?

No, nesting is not a sign of labor. It is just an outcome of motherly instinct and not associated with labor. Some women may experience this instinct as early as five months, while some only at the time of labor, and in others, it may not occur at all.

Nesting instincts can encourage you to try and do new things that may not necessarily be good or even safe for you. Next, we will tell you how to manage those urges and keep yourself and the baby safe.

Safe Practices For Nesting While Pregnant

Nesting is not at all harmful to you or your baby. Here are some precautions that will help you deal with it sensibly:

1. Set limits for nesting activities

• Avoid lifting heavy objects. Ask for help when picking some bulky items or those from the floor.
• Do not climb the ladders to clean higher shelves as it might increase the risk of falls.
• Avoid paints, bleaching products, or oven cleaners as they contain chemicals and cause headaches and nausea.

2. Make a nesting plan

List all the chores you need and things to buy, and proceed accordingly without rushing. This way, you can stay calm and relaxed while preparing for the baby.

• Stock the pantry with non-perishable essentials.
• Stock the refrigerator with vegetables and fruits.
• Wash the bedroom linen and keep the sheets ready.
• Wipe away the dust from window sills and picture frames and vacuum the cushions.
• Pack the hospital bag with all the essentials.

3. Focus on your needs

• Get enough rest to save energy for the delivery and baby care.
• Buy maternity wear and comfortable clothing for yourself.
• Take your partner’s help when necessary.

4. Trust your instincts

You may receive a lot of suggestions and advice during this time. Although they may be helpful, you should also trust your instincts. Do not go overboard while stocking up on things such as baby lotions, creams, and food that come with an expiry date. Also, not everything may be suitable for the baby.

Do Fathers Nest?

Fathers may nest, but it is not believed to be common. You might find your partner helping you out at home. This is not necessarily a biological phenomenon but an act of concern for you. Fathers may not feel the same way as mothers experience and understand pregnancy.

Next, we answer a few commonly asked questions that might help you understand nesting better.

Nesting during pregnancy encourages women to clean and organize their homes to welcome their babies. Although this behavior begins months before the due date, it is more active in the third trimester. The specific reason for nesting is unknown, but it may occur due to motherly instincts, care for the arriving baby, or boredom during pregnancy. That said, not all women experience nesting because every pregnancy is different. If you tend to be more organized than before or urge to be close to home, you may show nesting signs. While nesting helps make you energetic, ensure your safety by not lifting heavy objects, avoiding paints and bleaching products, and getting enough rest.

References

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