There’s a new kind of party out there, that’s kind of a twist on baby showers, called a “nesting party”!
I love the idea of helping new parents get ready for their baby so that their postpartum period can be as easy and smooth as possible.
Below is a great post shared by one of my readers outlining how she hosted an amazing nesting party for her close friends and family and what they did to prepare for postpartum.
How a Nesting Party Helped Me Get Ready for My First Baby
As my due date approaches, there’s an exciting energy in the air, but also a little bit of stress. Preparing for my first baby feels overwhelming at times—there’s so much to do, so much to buy, and so many things to consider.
But when I heard about something called a nesting party, it felt like the perfect solution to ease my nerves and get everything ready in a fun and supportive way. Instead of hosting a traditional baby shower, I decided to throw a nesting party, where my friends and family could come together to help me prepare for the big day.
A nesting party is not about cute decorations or games; it’s about practicality, connection, and support. It’s about creating a welcoming environment where I can focus on the joy of the journey, while those around me help with everything from assembling baby furniture to stocking up the kitchen. So, let me take you on a journey through the chapters of my nesting party, each one focusing on an activity that made my preparations for baby feel more manageable, enjoyable, and full of love.
1. Setting the Scene – Preparing the Space
The first step in hosting my nesting party was getting the space ready. We decided to host the party at my home, so everyone could be comfortable and we’d have easy access to all of my baby gear. Before the guests arrived, I spent some time tidying up and organizing the living room and nursery. I didn’t want to feel stressed by clutter while everyone worked.
I set up a cozy area with snacks, drinks, and a place to sit and chat, as well as a separate section for work—like the crib, diaper changing station, and other items that needed assembling. The idea was to create an atmosphere where people could enjoy each other’s company and contribute in whatever way they felt most comfortable.
Pro Tip: You don’t need to do everything yourself! Start by organizing a few spaces and prepping the areas where guests will work. If you’re too tired, ask your partner or close family members to lend a hand.
2. Crib Assembly – Turning Baby’s Room Into a Dream
The first big task on the list was to assemble the crib. The crib was a gift from my parents, and although I could have done it myself (or at least tried), having help made it feel like a celebration instead of a chore. I had a few close friends who were excited to help and who had experience assembling baby furniture. This was such an exciting part of my nesting party that made everything so real!
While everyone worked together to build the crib, I was able to sit back, relax, and enjoy the chatter. There were some laughs as we tried to figure out the instructions, but my friends were incredibly patient, and the crib was up and ready in no time. I felt so grateful to have these wonderful people around, making sure everything was safe and perfect for my little one.
Pro Tip: If you’re nervous about assembling furniture, get a handy friend or consider asking your partner to take the lead while you supervise and offer snacks. It’s all about working together as a team!
Babytalk loves this side-car crib for safe co-sleeping!
3. Stocking Up the Kitchen – Filling the Freezer with Love
One of the best parts of the nesting party was preparing for life after baby arrives. I’ve heard over and over how hard the first few weeks can be—between recovering from birth and adjusting to a new baby, cooking will likely be the last thing on my mind. That’s why stocking up my kitchen with freezer meals was a must.
During my nesting party, my friends and family chipped in to help prepare and freeze several meals. From casseroles to soups and healthy snacks, they brought their favorite recipes and worked together to make sure we had enough food to last us through the first month. It was a great bonding experience, and I knew that having a fully stocked freezer would relieve so much stress when I was recovering.
Pro Tip: Make a list of meals you’d love to have on hand and ask your guests to bring ingredients or their favorite recipes. You can even make it a fun cooking activity during the party! If this seems overwhelming, just ask each guest to bring their favorite freezer meals over and make sure to have some space in your freezer!
Here are some great storage containers for your nesting party postpartum freezer meals
4. Baby Gear Organization – Sorting and Storing with Ease
Next, it was time to tackle all the baby gear I had accumulated over the months. From clothes to blankets, toys, and diapers, it all needed to be organized in a way that was easily accessible once baby arrived. The key to this part of the nesting party was having a few of my friends who are moms themselves offer advice on how to best store and arrange everything.
We took stock of the clothes that were already folded and stored them by size in labeled bins. Diapers were sorted by brand and size, and baby gear like the stroller, car seat, and baby monitor were put together and stored neatly in the hallway. It felt so much better knowing that everything was in its place and ready to go when the time came.
Pro Tip: If you’re overwhelmed by all the baby gear, break it down into categories (clothes, diapers, toys, etc.) and ask guests to help you organize each section. Not only does it relieve stress, but it helps you keep everything organized for easy access.
5. Pampering Me – Taking a Moment to Relax and Connect
All of the physical work had been done, so it was time for some much-needed pampering. Since the nesting party was all about me and my needs, my friends had a surprise in store: a mini spa treatment for the mom-to-be!
We had a small space set up with candles, relaxing music, and all the essentials for a DIY spa session. A few of my friends had brought homemade body scrubs, essential oils, and bath salts, and they took turns giving me a hand massage, putting on a soothing face mask, and just generally making me feel pampered. It was the perfect way to de-stress after all the preparations and bond with my support system.
Pro Tip: Take time during your nesting party to relax and enjoy the people around you. A little pampering goes a long way in relieving the physical and emotional stresses of pregnancy. I think this could even be a separate party!
Think mama shower instead of baby shower!
6. Setting Up a Postpartum Care Station – Preparing for Recovery
As the day went on, I realized just how much thought had gone into helping me prepare for postpartum care. In addition to the physical labor of preparing the nursery and stocking the kitchen, my friends took it upon themselves to set up a postpartum care station in my bathroom. They gathered all the essentials: pads, witch hazel, perineal spray, nipple cream, and cozy loungewear.
Not only did it feel good to have a dedicated space for my recovery, but it also gave me peace of mind knowing that I wouldn’t have to scramble for these items once I was home with my baby. It was such a thoughtful gesture, and I truly appreciated their support.
Pro Tip: Don’t forget about your own needs as a new mom. Setting up a postpartum care station with all the essentials will help you feel more comfortable once baby is born. Ask your guests to contribute items they loved during their own postpartum experiences.
You can also set up a little care station for baby. Even better if it’s mobile! Include, diapers, wipes, and clothes for baby and any care items you might need multiple times a day.
Try this little rolling utility cart for all you postpartum baby needs!
7. Thank You Cards – Showing Appreciation for My Support System
As the nesting party came to an end, I couldn’t help but feel overwhelmingly grateful for everyone who had come together to help me. My support system had made sure I was fully prepared for the arrival of my baby, and I wanted to show my appreciation.
I decided to have personalized thank-you cards ready to go, and I took a moment to write heartfelt messages to each guest. It felt like the perfect way to end the day—by recognizing how much their love and effort meant to me.
Pro Tip: Don’t forget to express your gratitude! Write thank-you notes or send a small gift to show appreciation for the support you’ve received at your nesting party.
A Truly Memorable Experience
Hosting a nesting party was one of the best decisions I made during my pregnancy. It wasn’t just about getting my home ready for baby—it was about connecting with the people I love and having them be a part of this beautiful journey. From assembling baby furniture to preparing freezer meals and pampering me with spa treatments, my nesting party helped me feel more relaxed, supported, and excited for the big day. It was the perfect way to embrace this special time and ensure that I was prepared for both my baby and myself. I can’t wait to welcome my little one into a home filled with love and care, thanks to my amazing friends and family.
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