Nesting for Moms: How to Emotionally Prepare for Motherhood and Postpartum
By Marianna Babiolakis, AMFT #134136, PMH-C
Supervised by Dani Salzer, LMFT #102811
Serving Campbell, San Jose, and clients throughout California via telehealth
Last week, we discovered a bird had built her nest on our front door wreath - how cool is that?! We've become very invested in this little mama bird and the four small blue eggs she laid. We even named her Luna, because we found her nest on the day of the solar eclipse.
A little research told us Luna is a house finch, and she’ll likely be with us for several weeks as she waits for her babies to hatch. It’s been amazing to watch how much care went into her intricate little nest and how dedicated she is in preparing for the transition to motherhood.
Honestly, I started thinking of Luna like one of my new mom clients. I found myself wanting to support her through this change - make sure she felt seen, nurtured, and cared for. (We joked about starting a meal train. Okay, we did buy her a bird feeder.)
And it got me thinking…
🪺 What Does Nesting Really Mean?
We often talk about nesting in pregnancy as preparing a home for baby - assembling the crib, washing onesies, installing the car seat, deep-cleaning, organizing, and prepping everything baby might need. And while that’s important, we rarely talk about nesting for the parent.
What would it look like to prepare emotionally, mentally, and practically for the transformation into motherhood?
🌕 You’re About to Meet Someone New - And It’s You
I recently saw a post that said:
No one even mentioned it in 9 whole months. Not one person said, “You’re about to meet someone entirely new.” And it’s not your baby - it’s going to be you.
I hear versions of this sentiment all the time from postpartum clients. The identity shift of motherhood - known as matrescence - is deep and wide. It changes how you see yourself, your relationships, your priorities, and even your nervous system.
Yet so few parents are encouraged to prepare for that part.
🧡 What Would Nesting for Moms Look Like?
If we truly nested for moms and birthing parents, it might include:
A plan for rest and sleep - especially in the early days
Easy-to-access meals and snacks that nourish her body
A postpartum support team: friends, family, doulas, therapists
Space to talk about feelings of overwhelm, identity shifts, and unexpected emotions
The right kind of therapy to process emotions
A permission slip to not “bounce back” but to move forward - slowly and supported
🐣 Let’s Normalize Nesting for Parents
I’ve seen firsthand how supporting parents before and after birth can dramatically change the postpartum experience. Therapy, planning, and community matter - whether you’re a new mom navigating sleepless nights or a little house finch settling in for your first clutch of eggs.
Whether you’re building a nest for your baby or for yourself, I believe you deserve care, softness, and support.
✨ Ready to Nest Differently?
If you're pregnant, postpartum, or in the thick of early motherhood, let’s talk about what support could look like for you. I offer trauma-informed, compassionate therapy for moms across California - both in-person in Campbell and virtually.
Contact me here to schedule a consultation. You don’t have to navigate this transformation alone.
