Are you experiencing a sudden, overwhelming urge to deep clean your house, organise every baby onesie by size and colour, stock your freezer with meals, or are just generally driven to start preparing for baby’s arrival? You're not going crazy: you're nesting! While not everyone experiences this, this final burst of energy before bubs arrives is common enough that you might be wondering just how you’re supposed to deal with it without getting overwhelmed! We’ve put together a few things that you might want to put on your newborn essentials checklist while you’ve got the energy and, hopefully, time – before the chaos of a new baby makes itself very well known.
The Nursery & Baby Gear
The nursery is often the epicentre of nesting, and that makes sense when you stop to think about it. The first piece of advice, though? Don't worry about creating a perfect show-home; focus instead on making things functional and easy to navigate.
- Set up the sleeping space: Make sure you’ve got the bassinet or cot you want, and get it assembled and set up before it’s needed. Many parents prefer to have the bassinet beside their own bed for the first few months, so it might be a good idea to check in advance that it’ll fit where you want it, so things can be shifted around if needed.
- Wash all your baby clothes: Chances are you’ve already gone out and got at least a couple of onesies for bubs if you’ve got that nesting urge. Just as likely, if you’ve had a baby shower, you’ve possibly received clothing as gifts. They’ll all need washing before they go against your newborn’s very sensitive skin, however. Use a gentle, fragrance-free detergent and make sure they’re well dried. Sort them by size for easy access – but don’t be surprised if you have to make a sudden dash for an emergency change if your new arrival turns out to be a bit bigger or smaller than you’d anticipated.
- Stock the changing station: A well-stocked changing area is a lifesaver. Ensure you have your nappies, wipes, and nappy cream within reach, especially if you’re using a change table – baby should never be left alone up high. As an alternative, some parents prefer to set up a nice, clean corner with a change mat on the ground, as babies can’t fall off the floor!
- Install the car seat: This is a non-negotiable! Get the car seat professionally installed well before your due date. Many hospitals won't let you leave without one. Luckily, many places will hire out capsules for you to use, and they’ll generally fit them as well, saving you time, money, and no end of stress.
- Organise a comfy feeding spot: Whether you're breastfeeding or bottle feeding, create a comfortable spot with everything you need. A comfortable chair is a must – you’ll likely be spending a LOT of time there, especially in the first few weeks. A table within easy reach to let you put down any bits and pieces – think breast pump, book, phone, drink bottle – will be something you’ll be very glad to have.
Your Postpartum Survival Kit
Try to remember that nesting isn't just about the baby; it's about preparing some of the things you’ll need, as well. So what might you like to include in your third-trimester must-haves? Let’s have a look.
- Pack your hospital bag: Have this ready a few weeks out. Include comfortable clothing, toiletries, snacks – anything you think you’ll need, without completely overdoing it. Don't forget a couple of maternity bras and some postpartum sanitary pads. You might also like to grab some reusable nursing pads or Haakaa Ladybugs to catch any leaking milk you might be dealing with! If you are going to grab a Ladybug before baby arrives, we usually recommend the 75ml option – this way, if you don’t leak much, you don’t have one that’s too big, but if you leak a lot more than expected, it’s big enough to cope with slightly more frequent emptying!
- Set up what you’ll need for recovery at home: Try equipping a table, drawer or container next to your bed or couch with everything you might need in the early days. Things you might want to include range from pain relief and sanitary pads to a big water bottle and easy-to-reach snacks.
- Stock up on freezer meals: Cooking is likely to be the last thing on your mind, and many postpartum families struggle to find the energy and time in those early days. Prepare and freeze a variety of nourishing meals that can be easily reheated.
- Get your breastfeeding essentials ready: Having some basics on hand can reduce stress. The Haakaa Gen 2 Silicone Breast Pump is effective, inexpensive, and incredibly handy. It’s perfect for catching let-down on one side while your baby feeds on the other, helping you build a stash of milk effortlessly, and that’s on top of its amazing use as an active breast pump! The suction base means once you’re done, you can press it to the nearest surface (that side table you’ve set up in your feeding spot would be perfect), then when you’re ready to transfer it, you can put it into a Silicone Freezer Tray to freeze for later!
Other Essential Haakaa Items
You know we’ve got you covered to help you transition from pregnancy to the early days of parenthood! There are more Haakaa products for new mums than we can fit into one blog, but we’ve gathered a couple of starters here.
- Haakaa Colostrum Collector: Your body starts producing colostrum, aka liquid gold, in the weeks before your baby arrives. These small, soft silicone collectors allow you to safely collect and store colostrum antenatally (from around 37 weeks, and only with your LMC’s approval) or in the first few days after birth. Having a stash of incredibly nutrient-rich colostrum can be great for a range of reasons – have a chat with your midwife or LMC about whether harvesting colostrum is suitable for you.
- Postpartum Belly Band: One of your postpartum recovery essentials, and one designed specifically for use in those immediate days and weeks after delivery, the Haakaa Postpartum Belly Band helps provide much-needed support to your waist and back as your body recovers. It wraps around your waist and is especially useful for those with diastasis recti – the separation of the abdominal muscles on either side of the belly. Belly binders help provide support as these muscles heal. It won’t cure your diastasis recti, but it will help you feel more comfortable, and that’s something we all need.
- Nipple Cream: If you’re breastfeeding, it’s like that as your body adjusts, you’re going to deal with a bit of discomfort, and having a nice, safe nipple cream to help your skin heal up between feeding sessions is going to be a lifesaver. Made of 100% lanolin that’s been ultra-purified, Haakaa’s nipple cream contains no preservatives, no fragrances, and is perfectly safe to keep on – you don’t even need to wash it off before feeding!