We are almost two-months into the New Year and how are those resolutions coming along? If this new year brings a new baby, chances are your list is longer than most. New Year’s resolutions tend to get a bit over complicated when it comes to baby planning. When many people simply opt to budget their money better, expecting parents have to financially plan for the new baby. While others choose to stay in touch with friends and family a little bit more this coming year, expecting parents don’t have the free time to do so. It’s just a different ball game when it comes to the new year for soon-to-be new parents, especially when it comes to nesting.
What Is Nesting
Nesting is best described as preparing your ‘nest’ in arrival for the baby. According to whattoexpect.com, this “nesting” phase typically comes around week 38 when an increase in adrenaline courses through the expecting mom’s system. While many moms enjoy this time during their pregnancy, many might fight it stressful especially if you are just coming off a hectic holiday schedule.
The truth is, while many almost-parents feel the need to rush around the last few weeks pre-baby, this is a critical time where mom needs to really take care of her body, dad needs to get as much sleep as possible, and all the “to-do’s” might have to simply wait. (Or at least be prioritized.)
Here are some quick tips to help tackle that New Year’s baby-to-do list, while still keeping mom healthy, dad happy, and still enjoying the quiet time before the baby comes.
Write it all down
According to Parents.com (and probably any mom reading this) pregnant women tend to get a little forgetful during their pregnancy, whcih can complicate any task especially whenit comes to nesting. Make a list of everything that needs to be done before baby comes so you can categorize thing as need versus want. For example, does the guest room really need to be painted before the baby comes, or can it wait until after? If it can wait, or has nothing to do with the baby, remove it from this list and save it for another list.
Assign tasks and ask for help – Ask dad or other relatives to handle things like painting or moving heavy objects and take ownership of simpler things like washing all the baby clothes or preparing meals ahead of time.
Include a timeline – If you find your list is incredibly long of valid baby to-do’s, then depending on how much time you have remaining, only do X amount of things each day or week. When your list of 20 is broken down by two small tasks each day, it will seem less stressful and possibly become more enjoyable.
Take a breath
As long as there are diapers, clean clothes, and warm place to sleep, the rest can wait. Honestly, it can all wait.
It’s so easy to forget how life is going to change once that baby comes around, so it’s best to really relax those last few weeks instead of rushing to check things off a baby-do list. At Becoming Mom Spa +Ultrasound, we understand how stressful pregnancy can become, which is why we do what we do. While the new year always brings out the to-do in all of us, we encourage our expecting moms to honestly sit back, relax, and simple enjoy these last few weeks before the baby comes. If you ever need help relaxing, you know where to find us.
