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Some say the first sign of labor is manual labor. In reality, the nesting instinct may kick in months, weeks or just days before your due date, but is often the strongest just prior to labor. Many women describe it as a sudden burst of energy and the overwhelming urge to clean, organize and get things done.
So is there any truth to the nesting instinct? Actually, there is! The nesting instinct is common to almost every female animal, from birds to bears. It's nature's clever way of making sure we're fully-prepared for the arrival of a new baby. Here are some funny, but real, ways some moms remember the nesting instinct.
The Need for Clean
Leslie, a mother of three, recalls, "I cleaned in ways I never cleaned before. I vacuumed out cabinets, scrubbed corners with a toothbrush, disinfected every door handle and light switch. My house hasn't been that clean since."
Making Room for Baby
Sarah, a mother of twins says, "I think it finally hit me that two babies meant two of everything and our house suddenly seemed a lot smaller. I started emptying cabinets, closets, drawers. I wanted to get rid of everything I thought was taking up too much room. I was like, 'Why do we have so many dishes? Where will we put all the baby food?'"
Organized from A to Z
Nicole, a new mom says, "I knew it had kicked in when I found myself organizing the spices. Usually, I'm not very organized, but for some reason I had to sort the spices. I even debated whether they should be alphabetized or arranged by type of spice. In the end, I did both."
Taking Stock
Another common theme is checking and re-checking the baby's clothes and supplies. Melanie, a mom from Boston says, "I don't know how many times I took inventory of the nursery. I re-checked supplies and re-folded the baby's clothes again and again. At one point, I counted tubes of diaper cream – I had ten! It's like I forgot the store would always have more."
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