Nesting Party 101: All About the Trend That Helps Parents Prep For Baby

Supporting parents is one of the goals of a baby shower, but what if you could have a party that truly gets you ready? Think practical help in prepping your home from top to bottom for this huge life transition. As a mom of two, I know firsthand how hard it can be to ask for help, and just how much having a baby rocks your world. The limit to the things that need to get done before baby arrives does not exist. 

That’s where nesting parties come in. They’ve gained popularity in recent years, especially after a viral TikTok that seemed to strike a chord with new and seasoned parents alike. Many parents can agree that it feels like the village is nowhere to be found, yet it truly takes one to raise a child. But asking for help can be tough. Nesting parties are the perfect occasion (aka excuse) to lean into some help from those around you. 

Here’s a quick rundown of what nesting parties are, how to have one and why you might want to embrace the trend.

What is a nesting party?

Ever heard about how some pregnant people get this sudden urge to deep clean and organize every corner of their house? That’s a real thing, known as nesting, where you feel this burst of energy to get everything perfectly ready before baby arrives. It usually kicks in during the third trimester. You might find yourself wanting to reorganize the linen closet, paint the living room and clean all of the floorboards in your home.

Now imagine a dedicated gathering of your closest people all tackling that to-do list for you (with your direction, of course). Think of it as a party to prepare your home for life with a newborn. It’s a fun and practical way to get things in order before baby’s born. You’ll have to do all of this stuff anyway, so why not get some help? It’s also a good idea to check as many things off of your list before baby gets here, that way you’re not struggling to put things together in the thick of the newborn haze.

These gatherings are low-key (compared to a baby shower; more on that below), with the main goal being to prepare your space for baby and postpartum life. A nesting party is a chance to lean into your village for help getting everything set up and ready for when you return home after giving birth. If you feel weird about asking or letting people help you, you’re far from alone. But let this truth ease your mind—more often than not, people want to help out but simply may not know how. Nesting parties are a great way to let them get involved.

Nesting party activities can vary based on what individual parents need, but in general, the goal is to prepare your entire space for this new chapter of life. That can mean many different things, but usually baby’s room, the kitchen, the bathroom and your bedroom are the main areas where things need to be set up. 

Nesting party tasks typically include things like: 

• Building and setting up any furniture or baby gear (think: crib, dresser, swing)

• Setting up a bottle-making station (and sterilizing bottles if it’s not too early)

• Putting together a nursing cart

• Organizing a diaper-changing station

• Washing, folding and organizing all of those tiny baby clothes

• Prepping postpartum freezer meals

• Setting up postpartum essentials in the bathroom (also making padsicles)

• Organizing baby’s medicine cabinet

Can I have a baby shower and a nesting party?

Nesting parties aren’t meant to replace a baby shower (or sprinkle for that matter)—you can have both, or you can have one without the other. 

A baby shower is a celebration focused on the baby and gifting parents all of the gear and products their new addition will need. But parents need support too, and that’s the main goal of a nesting party; they’re all about prepping you for this upcoming transition. Getting your house in order is a huge part of that.

Baby showers also tend to be a bit more of an “event”—often hosted by friends or family—that can take place anywhere. Nesting parties are typically a more casual gathering with fewer people (mainly those in your inner circle) and take place in your home since they’re meant to prep your home for life with your growing family. But the beauty of nesting parties is that you can have one in addition to your baby shower! 

What if you’re not interested in having a baby shower? You can certainly forgo it and just have a nesting party if you want. Some people don’t want all of the attention a baby shower brings (understandable) but still need help setting the nursery up. And some parents, particularly those expecting their second baby, might choose to skip a shower if they saved a bunch of things from their first baby. A nesting party can also be a more practical alternative to baby sprinkles, thrown for second or third-time parents.

When should I have a nesting party?

Ideally, your nesting party would take place after your baby shower or sprinkle (or once you’ve gotten all of your major pieces of gear). That way, you’ll have help actually setting up, organizing and putting away all the gifts you received. If you’re planning a nesting party, pick a date after the shower but not too close to your due date.

How to Throw a Nesting Party

The sky is really the limit when planning a nesting party—you can make it a casual get-together with very little prep, or you can set up more of an event with a theme and spread of snacks. Even if you’re enlisting the help of a friend to plan your nesting party, you’ll likely do the inviting yourself since it’s at your home (and that gives you more control over keeping it casual and stress-free). 

Create a to-do list of tasks you want help with 

A great way to organize tasks is to write them on sticky notes or cute cards of paper and place them in a visible spot for everyone to see and ultimately choose from. Whether it’s folding baby clothes, assembling gear or organizing the nursery, your job is to delegate and relax, even if giving up control feels tricky at first (we get it).

Have a plan for where and how you want things set up

Letting others help set up your space can be tough, but it’s all part of the process. Try having a loose plan or a general idea of how you’d like things to be arranged, so your helpers know what’s important to you without needing to check in constantly.

Offer refreshments

Toddlers aren’t the only ones who love snacks—they make everything more enjoyable. Offering some light refreshments (like finger foods, a coffee bar, or a small dessert table) is a nice way to thank those who are helping you prep and also keep everyone energized to get the jobs done. And don’t be afraid to pass this task off to someone else, if anyone asks how they can help or what they can bring!

Practice Actually Using All Of That Baby Gear

This is also a great opportunity to learn how to use those baby products—from opening and closing the stroller to getting the wrap carrier just right. A few more things you can practice are making baby burritos (aka swaddling), changing a diaper and maybe how to work the snot sucker. It’s also helpful to familiarize yourself with your breast pump and parts before you need to use it.

Giving yourself time to practice using the baby gear before your baby arrives can help set you up for success later—so you’re not trying to learn any new skills while you’re also sleep-deprived and tending to a newborn.