WeMoms
2 Apr 2024

What is Nesting Instinct?

Childbirth
Birth preparation
What is Nesting Instincts for a Pregnant Woman?
During pregnancy, you may find yourself experiencing a powerful urge to prepare your home for the arrival of your little one.
This phenomenon is known as the nesting instinct, and it is a common experience among pregnant women.
Understanding the Science Behind Nesting Instincts
Nesting instincts are believed to be driven by a combination of hormonal changes and the natural instincts to protect and prepare for the arrival of a newborn.
The surge of hormones, particularly estrogen and progesterone, during pregnancy can play a role in triggering nesting behaviors.
These hormones can influence your mood, energy levels, and motivation, making you more inclined to engage in nesting activities.
Common Nesting Behaviors
The nesting instinct can manifest in various ways, and every woman's experience may be unique. Some common nesting behaviors include:
  • Cleaning and organizing: You may feel a strong urge to clean and organize your living space, particularly the nursery and other areas where your baby will spend time.
  • Preparing the nest: This involves setting up the nursery, assembling furniture, and arranging baby essentials such as cribs, changing tables, and baby clothes.
  • Stocking up on supplies: Nesting often involves making sure you have an ample supply of baby essentials, such as diapers, wipes, bottles, and formula if you plan to use it.
  • Cooking and meal preparation: Many women feel compelled to stock the freezer with homemade meals or prepare nutritious snacks for the postpartum period when time and energy may be limited.
  • Creating a soothing environment: Nesting can also involve creating a calm and inviting atmosphere in your home, such as decorating the nursery, selecting soothing colors, and adding soft lighting or relaxing music.
Embracing and Enjoying the Nesting Phase
Nesting instincts can be an exciting and productive phase of pregnancy. Here are some tips to make the most of this instinctual drive:
  • Prioritize and plan: Create a to-do list and prioritize tasks based on their importance and urgency. This will help you stay organized and focused during the nesting phase.
  • Involve your partner: Share the joy of nesting with your partner. Working together on tasks like setting up the nursery or organizing baby supplies can strengthen your bond and create a sense of shared anticipation
Dig deeper
Why You Should Trust Your Instincts as a Pregnant Mom
3 min read
B
Bethany
8 Dec 2023

Has anybody experienced the “nesting instinct”🪺? & if so, how long was it before you went into labor?

Childbirth Birth preparation
4 comments
B
Brit
I experienced it at 20 weeks with my last baby. I had the urge to nest really bad and couldn’t figure out why. She ended up coming at 34 weeks
27 Mar 2024

Answer

See more comments
B
Bethany
My energy surge just began today & girl I’ve been building, reorganising & moving stuff around like I’ve got some kind of strength 😂
27 Mar 2024

Answer

A
Alex
6 Aug 2023

Uhhhhmmmmm so im 32 weeks 4 days rn & im experiencing period like cramps. over maybe about the past week i notice them become more frequent. My bf (bd) also says he’s noticed my stomach dropped. besides that my leg muscles are sore, my back hurts only sometimes though, i’m superrrrr fatigued during the day and that nesting instinct definitely kicking in. I think King might be here sooner than expected 😅 i’m worried tho bc he’s still premature but idk if he’s gonna stay in till 37 weeks 😢 what do y’all think how soon ya think he’ll get here ? i’m supposed to have 8 weeks left but idk

Childbirth Birth preparation
6 comments
M
Mella
Sounds like braxton hicks contractions.
27 Mar 2024

Answer

See more comments
A
Alex
okay okay 😅 i thought i should ask just to make sure (ftm) i don’t wanna panic or anything shit lowkey scary😂
27 Mar 2024

Answer

B
Bryana
3 Jun 2023

Wow I didn’t realize how much of a instinct nesting was until I started feeling just been cleaning and doing random shit since yesterday can’t stop 😂

Childbirth Birth preparation
7 comments
N
Naija
It hasn't hit me yet😂😂. I don't do nothinggg but lay down and go to work
27 Mar 2024

Answer

See more comments
B
Bryana
Girl got me building shit cleaning up random things 😂
27 Mar 2024

Answer

N
Nuri
13 Apr 2023

How soon after the nesting instinct did y’all give birth? I’m currently nesting and I did not nest with my first two children so rn I’m really intrigued.

Childbirth Birth preparation
1 comments
A
Abby
12 Sep 2022

Since nesting what's on you to do list ? 😳 The anxiety of not knowing if ill have everythin ready kickn in

Childbirth Birth preparation
1 comments
S
Skye
You can Google nesting checklists and get some pretty good ones. That's what I did with my daughter. Printed one out, crossed out everything frivolous I knew I wasn't gonna use (changing table, bassinet, etc) and then made sure I had everything else. My daughter came 9 days before her due date so I always recommend having your list completed by 2 weeks prior to your due date to help avoid being unprepared if baby comes early
27 Mar 2024

Answer

See more comments
K
Kendra
21 Jun 2022

21w2d and I’m having a EXTREME urge to start nesting. Pretty sure most of it is anxiety 😩

Childbirth Birth preparation
2 comments
O
Olivia💕
same thing might be happening to me
27 Mar 2024

Answer

See more comments
O
Olivia💕
I feel like it comes in waves
27 Mar 2024

Answer

🇲
🇲🇽Samira🇵🇸
11 Jun 2022

Nesting instincts kicked in at midnight last night 🥲 my little baby station is almost complete

Childbirth Birth preparation
4 comments
N
Nexxa
Where'd you get the cart? I love that idea!!
27 Mar 2024

Answer

See more comments
🇲
🇲🇽Samira🇵🇸
IKEA😅 I’ve actually had that cart for years and am now putting it to good use
27 Mar 2024

Answer

s
sanja
21 Jan 2022

Nesting is getting so bad lol i’m losing it help haha i have so much stuff to clean

Childbirth Birth preparation
0 comments
A
Angel.
I know the feeling I'm only 30 weeks, 4 days pregnant an basically have my hospital bag packed , and driving my husband crazy bc I want to get everything done before March 28th lol
27 Mar 2024

Answer

See more comments
s
sanja
Girl im washing babys clothes today and trying to organize the room but omg its ridiculous. Packing bag next week and just getting the crib ready.
27 Mar 2024

Answer

👻
👻Camryn👻
20 Nov 2021

About to start cleaning the hell out of my house since my nesting instinct is at an all time high right now. Hubby's working night shift so I told him I'm going to clean so if I call, it means my water broke in the middle of my cleaning spree😂 hopefully it does😩

Childbirth Birth preparation
2 comments
👻
👻Camryn👻
Thanks☺️ had you been trying anything to induce labor before that? I've heard of so many stories about women walking, having sex, doing everything to induce labor, nothing worked. But then right when they started cleaning, their water broke😅
27 Mar 2024

Answer

See more comments
A
Alexa
2 Nov 2021

Hi mommies, has anyone started nesting yet ? I’m almost 26 weeks & I haven’t felt my nesting instinct kick in yet, I don’t know if it’s my fear of my first miscarriage or it’s just not time yet

Childbirth Birth preparation
6 comments
A
Alexa
omg first & foremost, congratulations! I hope you have a smooth birth & I’m sure you’ll start ass soon as you hold your baby in your arms 😌
27 Mar 2024

Answer

See more comments
C
Cookii3
You will get it out of the blue , I had mine a few days before my water broke …. It’s just happens
27 Mar 2024

Answer

Related articles

Hot topics

More questions from Moms