Disclosure: I was asked to write a post on nesting by Milton and was compensated for my time to write this post. All opinions expressed are my own and not influenced in any way.

‘Daddy Nesting’ – does it exist?

Apparently it does! We all know that women “nest” while waiting for their baby to arrive but what about expecting fathers? Here come some interesting results from sterilising experts Milton. Its recent survey all about the ‘nesting instinct’ shows that fathers-to-be also show nesting behaviours as well as pregnant women.

So what is the ‘nesting instinct’ exactly? This is basically an urge to start preparing your home for your new baby. It is entirely natural and is in fact a primal instinct going back thousands of years. It varies from person to person – some parents just feel a need to clean and sort things out, but others feel a strong urge to do more, such as disinfect their entire home from top to bottom! Some expectant mums have even admitted to re-organising their food cabinets alphabetically and scrubbing the entire kitchen floor with a toothbrush!

In Milton’s ‘nesting’ study, which polled its extensive Facebook audience of around 30,000 parents, they found that 52% of fathers-to-be experience the ‘nesting instinct’. It’s true that nesting is a way for us to feel connected to the pregnancy. It’s normally something physical that we can do to feel involved as well as preparing for our new role – such as redecorating or making sure that the car is safe and it fits a car seat. In Milton’s study they found that the most common male nesting behaviours were building baby furniture and helping decorate the nursery.

The study also showed that 97% of mums felt the nesting urge and that most feel this towards the end of their pregnancy (68% during their third trimester). Even more telling is that 70 per cent of mums noted that they gave birth within 6 weeks of experiencing this feeling, confirming that nesting is a tell tale sign that the baby is on the way.

Cleaning was top of the to do list for the nesters with 83% of mums-to-be admitting that they cleaned frequently from several times a week to several times a day and 8% of pregnant women cleaned several times an hour! Almost half (42.5%) of pregnant women admitted to extreme cleaning which included activities such as disinfecting and bleaching windowsills, radiators, ceilings and door handles. Of course, we don’t need to go that far as but it’s important to prepare the basics when a baby is about to enter your lives. Here’s a nice guide to nesting and checklist of the essentials needed to help you and your partner get organized: http://youtu.be/70TI2IdZwXY

I myself have been a daddy who has fallen into ‘nesting’ myself… I found the urge to have everything perfect and ready for my daughter to arrive and boy, did i enjoy it. I’m not sure if its the feeling of being prepared or the acknowledgment that I will be ready for anything that may come my way but I felt safer knowing that everything was going to be okay. Furniture was fixed and ready, clothing was neatly folded away and low and behold I had 2 baby changing bags ready and waiting ‘just in case’ something would have happened to the other one. I have to admit with a month to go till the pregnancy I found myself cleaning every part of our house and finding some way to be connected to the pregnancy even more.. But my nesting took a much greater and vaster path than just the home. I was trying to prepare everything from my social life to my work even merging into my timetable. Nesting for daddy’s becomes more than just preparing the home but preparing a life for your family.

Daisy-Ella had all she needed and more and that adventure will be starting all over again in our new home… I’m planning and preparing for my little strawberry girl and daddies new adventures.  

Don’t forget to look after yourself and your partner too – rest and relax when possible, eat well, and enjoy time with your other children before this exciting next step!

Milton Sterilising Kit Competition

a Rafflecopter giveaway

We have a fantastic “Sterilising Travel Kit” from sterilising experts Milton to give away. Milton has been a leading name in sterilising baby feeding equipment in the home for over 65 years, during which the ‘Milton Method’ of cold water sterilisation has been used by millions of parents, and in homes and hospitals throughout the UK and beyond.

This pack has everything you need to keep your little one clean and germ-free, wherever you’re headed including:

a Milton Solo Travel Steriliser,

a Milton Mini Portable Soother Steriliser

Antibacterial handgel

Antibacterial surface wipes

Standard Sterilising Tablets

Mini Sterilising Tablets

The Milton Solo Travel Steriliser is 2-in-1 microwave or cold water steriliser, ideal for sterilising when travelling or away from home. It cleans and sterilises breastfeeding equipment, bottles, teethers, plastic toys and other small baby equipment from 2 minutes in the microwave and in 15 minutes for cold water. A portable, lightweight, practical way to sterilise – whether at home, a day trip out, overnight stay or away holiday!

The award-winning Milton Mini Portable Soother Steriliser is a totally unique and original method to safely sterilise soothers in and out of the home. The Milton Mini uses the quick, easy, safe and effective Milton Method of cold water sterilising to kill 99.9% of germs (bacteria, fungi and viruses) in just 15 minutes. Its lightweight design means it can also easily be carried in your changing bag or coat pocket without weighing you down, Velcro strap means it can easily be attached to your pushchair when out and about too. 100% watertight = no risk of spills.

Milton’s Antibacterial Surface Wipes are ideal for travel and quick clean-s ups at home or on the move with baby. They kill 99.9% of germs including bacterial and fungi and can be used on highchairs, toys, changing mat, potty, baby’s bath, public facilities, restaurants and toilets. Fragrance free and no need to rinse.

Milton’s Antibacterial handgel is ideal for when you are looking after your baby (before and after feeding, nappy change) especially when you are on the go. It is ideal for use during infection epidemics, to reduce the risk of spreading infection and kills 99.9% of germs in seconds. Non-sticky, it leaves hands feeling fresh and clean.

Good luck

 

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