5 Reasons Why You Should Have a Nesting Party Instead of a Gender Reveal
First comes the belly, then comes the reveal, next comes the big ‘ol baby shower!
For most new mothers, the norm is family and friends planning a baby shower for the mother-to-be filled with baby items on her registry. And while some of us may relish in all the opening of the cute little onesies and booties, most of us know that this shower will require the new parents to load up a ton of new gifts into the back of their sister-in-law’s van and dump it all in the nursery to be dealt with later.
But in the last few years, a new trend has come to the forefront called a Nesting Party.
In this blog post, you’ll learn
What is a Nesting Party?
What to do at the party
Why you want a nesting party and not a gender reveal
….and a whole lot more!
What is a Nesting Party?
Nesting parties are parties thrown at the parent(s)-to be home in which friends and family come to get the home ready to welcome the new baby. There may be light refreshments and appetizers for the guests, but the focus is on preparing the mom for the postpartum experience, making her workload light in the early days after giving birth.
What is prepared at the nesting party?
Usually, the host puts together stations for the guests to choose to complete at the party. Some popular stations include
Preparing freezer meals
Washing, drying, folding, and putting away baby clothes and linens
Setting up a diaper caddy
Creating a nursing station in the bedroom/primary living area
Creating postpartum supplies for mother’s healing
Setting up baby equipment
Preparing nursing and/or pumping supplies
Pack the hospital bags
Any other requests by mom…
Why would I want to have a Nesting Party?
A baby shower provides only physical items for the baby and possibly a few postpartum supplies for the mama-to-be. Although I know you are beyond thankful for this monetary support with items to use at home, you now have MORE work to do at home to prepare for the baby when you are probably already in your third trimester. A nesting party takes some of the pressure off of you and/or your spouse or support system to get everything organized, set up, and put away before the baby’s arrival in a few short weeks.
A nesting party is meant to help prepare YOU and your home for the arrival of the baby. The focus is on the mom as she decides what she might need to be done in her home to help her feel relaxed before going into labor, allowing her to focus on the next phase in her transition to motherhood.
Having meals prepared and feeding equipment sanitized before the baby’s arrival will allow you to focus on nourishing yourself and your baby without worrying about what to do, how to do it, or when to do it.
Birth is a strenuous physical process whether you deliver vaginally or by c-section. Your movement will be limited in those early days and having stations set up for your needs as well as your baby’s needs will limit your need to be constantly organizing or searching for wanted items so that you can rest and bond with your newborn.
The nesting party makes time and space to bond with other mothers and family members to offer words of wisdom and support as you enter the unknown of motherhood or transition from a family of three to a family of four. Whether it is your first baby or your fifth, having your community surround you is a key component in your postpartum health and healing, and it starts now.
What You Need to Set up a Nesting Party
Start by seeing if a friend or family member will host the shower. If not, you can 100% throw your own nesting party!
Send out invitations. I recommend hosting this party anytime between 35 and 38 weeks. However, play it by ear depending on your situation. Twin moms or those with preeclampsia may be delivering sooner, whereas some moms won’t deliver until 41 or 42 weeks.
Gather all the supplies for the stations.
Download some free station guides from Etsy or another site.
Ask friends and family to bring refreshments or light appetizers.
If you’re the old-fashioned type like me, get some thank you cards and ask your guests to address them to themselves upon arrival.
Sit back and enjoy while your community showers you with love!💖
Nesting Parties are the New Gender Reveals
If you’re trying to decide between hosting a gender reveal or a nesting party, a nesting party is the clear choice. It provides so much more than a few cute pictures and maybe some diapers if you are lucky. Rather than feeling frantic preparing your home for baby and yourself for labor and delivery, you will be able to bring some peace to the third trimester by saying “yes to the nest!”
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