Why Nesting Party Is The Baby Shower Expectant Moms Need

Nesting is common and is considered to be an instinct to prepare for birth, which applies to both humans and animals alike. Pregnant dogs may be observed building a “nest” with items from around the house such as blankets, clothing, and stuffed animals a week before giving birth, while cats may bring cloth straps to their chosen nook, usually inside a closet or a box. In humans, the typical manifestation of nesting is the ‘sudden burst of energy’ to tidy up. According to babycenter.com, it’s “driven by an innate desire to prepare and protect.” It can begin as early as 24 weeks into pregnancy, but it typically intensifies during the third trimester, just weeks before your baby's arrival.

According to the American Pregnancy Association, nesting is characterized by the ‘urge to clean and organize your house’ before giving birth. The nesting instinct typically peaks in the final weeks leading up to delivery. There's an old belief that once these nesting urges begin, labor may soon follow. But babycenter.com says that while many women believe nesting signals impending labor, there's no medical evidence to support this claim. Some women start nesting months in advance, which suggests the connection is more psychological. The energy and drive to prepare for the baby stem from the desire to have everything ready before the big day, not necessarily because labor is imminent.

How to tell if you’re nesting

There isn’t an absolute tell-tale sign for nesting. Expectant moms could be painting the entire nursery or just washing and folding the newborn clothes. Common behaviors that might indicate nesting moms-to-be, according to Healthline, are as follows:

• Cleaning
• Stocking
• Organizing
• Packing
• Planning
• Protecting

“...the idea is that instead of people coming for what is essentially a party and spoiling you with gifts, they’ll come and carry out useful tasks instead." -HuffPost UK

So what exactly is a nesting party and why is this the baby shower you need?

The celebration often thrown for or by expectant parents, particularly first-time ones, are known as baby shower or gender-reveal parties. Traditional baby shower celebrates the imminent arrival of the baby and usually concentrates on well-wishes and gift-giving for the mom-to-be like breastfeeding essentials, maternity clothes, baby monitor, or for the newborn, like baby clothes, diapers, toys and the like. Gender-reveal parties are similar of nature, but as the name suggests, it inlcudes disclosure of baby's gender. 

Meanwhile, a nesting party, which is becoming a “new low-key baby shower trend,” according to Huffingtonpost UK, emphasizes practical support and community bonding. It explains, “the idea is that instead of people coming for what is essentially a party and spoiling you with gifts, they’ll come and carry out useful tasks instead—like helping deep-clean your home or getting the nursery ready…[it’s] for those who don’t enjoy the spotlight—not to mention, pomp—of modern-day baby showers.”

In a nesting party, friends and family come together to help organize, clean, and set up the baby’s nursery, ensuring everything is ready for the big day. “Many hands make light work, after all.”

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Nesting party isn’t very common in our country yet but it’s becoming viral in other parts of the globe so if you’re thinking how to host your own nesting party, or maybe how to throw one for a pregnant friend or sister, we’ve created a guide just for you:

6 tips on planning a nesting party

1. Plan the invites and guest list

Invite close friends and family members who are supportive and willing to lend a hand. Keep the event intimate to avoid being overwhelmed. You can send digital invites to friends and family but if you want customized invitation cards, you can find them in Shopee or Lazada.

2. Set the Date.

Choose a date well before your due date (not too close to delivery) to ensure that you’re still comfortable to move around and mingle with guests.

3. Decide on theme and decor

While the event is practical, a simple theme can add a fun element. You could have a color scheme matching the nursery or incorporate baby-related motifs. A set of few balloons can welcome the guests (perfect for photo op) or banner and name box can be used as decor for the nursery.

Shop for a balloon set, banner, or personalized name box on Shopee and Lazada.

4. Plan the activities

Plan activities that involve setting up the nursery, organizing baby clothes, cleaning the walls and floors, or preparing meals that can be frozen for later use. In a YouTube vlog by At Home with Ivory, she used post-its to transcribe the tasks that needed to be done like “wash bottles”, “sterilize bottles”, etc and each guest can take an activity they like. You can use a DIY activity board for the list of activities. You can order from Shopee or Lazada.

Put your favorite upbeat music on and get the (cleaning) party started!

You can also encourage guests to bring a dish or snacks to share or maybe ask them for ingredients and you can cook together. Sharing food can be a great bonding moment with friends and family. If you have a lot of activities for the day, you can also opt to simply order from food delivery apps and serve these meals as a token of appreciation to your guests who came.

5. Ask for supportive gifts instead

Instead of traditional gifts (especially if this is not the first baby), you may politely ask for items that support the nesting efforts like organizational tools and boxes, meal prep supplies like containers and labels, or a cleaning service booking, if guests express wanting to bring gifts.

Find a diaper caddy and baby utility trolley cart from Shopee and Lazada.

6. Prepare 'Thank You' notes

Prepare thank you notes in advance and hand them after the party. If you’re the one throwing the party, you may opt for ‘prayer cards’ instead. 

Find thank you note cards from Shopee and Lazada.

Benefits of a Nesting Party

Emotional Support

It provides the parent with a sense of community and reduces stress during the nesting phase.

Practical Help

Tasks that might be overwhelming alone can be accomplished quickly with a group.

Creating Memories

The event is a unique way to bond with loved ones and create lasting memories before the baby arrives.

What you should not do during a nesting party

While nesting itself isn’t harmful, the increased energy and sudden urge to tidy up and organize can sometimes push you to accomplish a lot of things at once. BabyCenter reminds expectant moms to still prioritize safety while nesting.

• Avoid straining yourself by lifting heavy objects or climbing high ladders to reach difficult spots.
• When painting or cleaning, ensure the area is well-ventilated, and the products used are safe for you and your baby.
• Even if you're energized, don't forget that overexertion can lead to exhaustion, so take frequent breaks and stay hydrated.
• Let go of the need for perfection—while it's easy to be overwhelmed by preparations, trust that your instincts will guide you, and remember that your baby mainly needs your love and care.

Final Thoughts

A nesting party is a beautiful, practical alternative or complement to a traditional baby shower, focusing on the support and preparation needed to welcome a new baby. For a first-time mom, it's an opportunity to learn tips and tricks from the experienced parent-friends while for those on their second, third, and nth pregnancy, it's a breather because you've got extra pair of hands to do what needs to be done. It's also a celebration that both mom and dad can take part in and enjoy.

It’s a meaningful way to tie celebration with community care, leaving you, the expectant parent, feeling organized, supported, and ready for the next exciting chapter. And this may be your best baby shower, ever. 

Do you already have a name for your baby? Get inspiration here.