Nesting Parties Are the New Baby Showers—And We're So Here For It

Written By Collin Parsons

Let’s be honest: Baby showers are cute, but do they really prepare you for life with a newborn? If you've ever opened your fifth bottle warmer and wondered, “Is anyone bringing me snacks or assembling this crib?” welcome to the club.

Enter the nesting party. It’s the baby shower’s cooler, more useful cousin. These intentional, community-centered gatherings are designed to actually help parents get ready for the postpartum period. Think: meal prep over mimosa games, diaper stations instead of diaper cakes, and your chosen community showing up to organize the nursery (not just judge your registry picks).

What is a Nesting Party?

A nesting party is exactly what it sounds like: a gathering where your chosen community (friends, family, or the folks who really get you) helps you “nest.” You might:

  • Prep freezer meals

  • Set up baby gear

  • Organize feeding supplies

  • Build a postpartum care basket

  • Create a plan for visitors (because boundaries = bliss)

It’s hands-on, meaningful support designed to lighten the mental and emotional load before baby arrives.

The Data Behind the Movement

Parents aren’t just craving cute gifts, they’re craving support. A 2023 study published in BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth found that postpartum planning significantly lowers rates of perinatal anxiety and depression. Yet, over 65% of new parents surveyed said they felt unprepared for postpartum recovery.

Meanwhile, a national parenting trends report from 2024 shows a 37% increase in search interest for terms like “nesting party,” “postpartum support,” and “baby shower alternatives.” In other words, parents are ready to do it differently.

Why Doulas Love Nesting Parties (And Yours Truly Especially)

At Doula Differently, we're all about shifting the conversation from “How’s the baby?” to “How are you?” Nesting parties make space for both. As a doula, I’ve seen firsthand how powerful it is when your chosen community doesn’t just show up—they roll up their sleeves.

It’s one of the reasons we encourage clients in Charlotte and beyond to reimagine what pre-baby gatherings can look like. Whether I’m there helping you map out your freezer meals or just reminding Aunt Karen that you don’t need 42 stuffed animals, I’m here for it.

Hosting Your Own Nesting Party: Ideas & Tips

Want to plan one? Here are some ideas that keep things fun and functional:

  • Potluck with purpose: Have guests bring a ready-to-freeze dish and assemble postpartum snack baskets.

  • “Build-a-station” zones: Set up a changing station, feeding nook, and parent care corner (with guidance from your doula).

  • Mini workshop: Ask your doula to lead a 20-minute chat on newborn care, feeding basics, or postpartum recovery tips.

  • Create your “No List:” As a group, brainstorm what you don’t want during the fourth trimester. Yes, you can say “no surprise visits!”

The Doula Differently Takeaway

You deserve more than just pastel cupcakes and tiny socks. You deserve a chosen community that actually shows up to help. Nesting parties are one of the ways we turn intention into action. It’s how we turn support into sustainability.

So if you’re feeling that urge to clean the baseboards and alphabetize your pantry… you might be nesting. Why not invite your people to join you?

Want help planning your own nesting party in Charlotte?
Let’s make it a vibe. Reach out here, and let’s dream up the prep party you actually need.

Sources:

Collin Parsons https://www.douladifferently.com
Next

What Is a Birth Doula? (And Why Working with One Just Feels Right)