A gentle guide from a Rexburg/Teton Valley birth + newborn photographer and mama of four

As you get closer to meeting your baby, it’s completely normal to feel that familiar nesting pull. The mix of excitement, tenderness, and the quiet pressure to “get everything ready” before life shifts in the sweetest way. I’ve felt it with each of my babies, and I see it often in the families I photograph and support.

The good news? These final weeks don’t have to feel rushed. A few simple, heart-easing touches can make your home feel cozy, calm, and ready for the newborn days you’re about to step into.

1. Gently Simplify the Spaces You Use Most

You don’t need to declutter your whole house. Just focus on the places you’ll spend most of your time with your baby. This is usually your bedroom, living room, and your kitchen.

Start small. Tidy the spots where things tend to pile up. Clear out what you no longer need or love. Even a few minutes of simplifying can shift the entire feel of a room, making it softer and more peaceful. Think of it less like a project and more like creating a little extra breathing room for you and your baby.

2. Prepare a Few Easy Meals Ahead of Time

Think of this as a gentle gift to your future postpartum self. Having a couple of homemade meals ready to go means you’ll have fewer decisions to make and more time to rest, recover, and soak in your baby.

You don’t need to fill your freezer (unless you want to). Just choose two or three comforting meals you already love. Make them on a calm afternoon, portion them into containers, and tuck them away. Future-you will be so grateful.

And if cooking isn’t in the cards, there are beautiful alternatives.
With my fourth baby, I ordered several nourishing postpartum meals from Restorative Roots, and they were incredible. Truly everything was delicious and grounding. I still crave their Shatavari Rice Pudding- it was that good, and even though I’m not expecting, I’ll absolutely be ordering more soon.

Whether you batch cook yourself or choose something pre-made and deeply nourishing, having a few meals on hand creates space for more slow mornings, warm snuggles, and ease.

3. Stock Up on Simple Everyday Essentials

It’s natural to think about diapers and wipes, but stocking up on the everyday basics you use as a household can make the newborn weeks feel smoother, too. Items like toilet paper, soap, laundry detergent, snacks, and postpartum care supplies disappear quickly once baby is here.

Adding a few extras to your cart now, or setting up a Subscribe & Save delivery, means you won’t find yourself running errands when you’d rather be cozied up at home with your baby.

4. Create a Baby Care Basket for Your Main Spaces

A baby care basket keeps everything you need within reach so you can stay resting and settled under your sleeping baby without needing to get up to grab wipes or a clean onesie.

Fill a small basket with diapers, wipes, burp cloths, a couple of outfits, nipple cream, breast pads, chapstick, and some simple nourishing snacks for you. Keeping one in your living room and one in your bedroom makes those early days feel more easeful and supported.

5. Soften the Lighting in Your Home

This is one of my favorite things, postpartum or not. Soft, warm lighting makes such a difference in how your home feels- especially during those tender nighttime and early mornings feeds. You don’t need a full home makeover to create a cozy atmosphere.

Try adding a salt lamp on your bedside table, turning on a living room or kitchen lamp instead of overhead lights in the evening, using dimmers if you have them, or plugging warm or red light nightlights into the hallways. A few small lighting changes can make your whole space feel more peaceful, warm and comforting.

6. Prepare a Few Comfortable Postpartum Outfits

It’s easy to wash and fold all of baby’s clothes and forget entirely about your own- but your comfort matters just as much. A handful of soft, cozy pieces can make your postpartum days feel more gentle and supportive

Think loose lounge pants, nursing bras (this is my favorite), oversized tees, cozy cardigans, and comfortable underwear. You don’t need a big wardrobe- just enough to help you feel cared for as your body rests and heals.

You’re Doing Such a Beautiful Job Already

Preparing for your baby doesn’t have to be complicated. A few simple steps can create a home that feels warm, calm, and ready for the tender newborn season ahead.

Choose the ideas that feel good.
Let go of anything that adds pressure.
Trust your instincts- they’re already serving you and your family well.

CLICK HERE FOR THE REXBURG/TETON VALLEY/JACKSON NEWBORN PHOTOGRAPHY GUIDE