How to Support your Partner’s Nesting during Pregnancy

Written by Lance Green

Nesting is the period where pregnant women feel like they need to do a deep clean of the house to prepare for the baby’s arrival! It can be a crazy time when your partner is running around the house and it may seem like they are out of control, when really they just want to feel ready and have space for the baby to settle once they are born. Nesting is quite common in pregnant women, however, not all of them experience it. From a father’s perspective, we may not be able to understand what is happening but we must do our best to keep them sane, for our sake and theirs! So, how can we best support our partners during the nesting period?

Help them feel organised

Helping your partner feel organised about what they want to do in the house is something you should support. While you may not agree with them rearranging the rooms or decluttering certain items around the house, just go along with it. It’s helpful to support your partner in making sure that you’re doing some of the household chores too while they are nesting. Make them feel like you’re part of the team and show them that you are willing to go above and beyond to provide for the baby. Taking initiative and showing them that you are there to help will lessen the stress they may feel.

Be there when they are shopping for baby items

Nappies, prams, clothing and toys – the list never ends when it comes to purchasing items for a newborn. You may find your partner already setting up baby gear in the nursery room. For their own conscience, doing the physical preparations for the arrival of the baby is normal during the nesting period. You may need a credit card which doesn’t max out quite easily so you can fit the needs of what your partner wants in terms of the vision they had in mind. Although it may not be what you want financially, supporting them when shopping for baby gear is a good step to take when your partner is nesting.

Let them clean the house

Your partner may feel compelled to vacuum every other day of the week or pull out the weeds in the backyard. At this point, you may feel annoyed that they always have the urge to clean something. While you reserve your patience for your partner, just remind yourself that this is part of the process. It’s encouraged to keep an eye out to see if they decide to climb a ladder or try and change the light bulb by standing on unstable surfaces. It helps to keep a close eye on

your partner as this could help prevent any incidents from occurring, which puts them and the baby in danger.

Spend time bonding with each other

It’s key to make the most of the time you have now before the baby is born because honestly, there will be less time for date nights when both of you are taking care of the baby. Even though the nesting period may drive you insane at times, your partner does need your support. Go out for dinner, watch a movie together or participate in a fun activity which both of you enjoy. Spending quality time together could help your partner feel at ease about the pregnancy and takes them away from the stress of cleaning and purchasing baby gear for a moment.

Help them feel secure

During the nesting period, you may witness your partner stressing out over things that aren’t worth worrying about. They may undergo mood swings and have concerns when they are feeling underprepared right before the birth of the baby. Communicating to your partner that everything will be alright can help gather their thoughts and provide some perspective on what they should be feeling at any given moment. You can be their voice of logic when they are about to breakdown. Show support and guide them along the way throughout the term of the pregnancy.

If you have a partner who is pregnant, be prepared to experience the nesting period. However, it’s not all bad. Just remember to show support when they are purchasing big ticket baby gear or feel compelled to do a deep clean around the house. Also, know when to step in and guide them if they are feeling stressed and concerned at any stage when they are nesting. Help them see that they are doing enough preparation for the baby’s arrival.