I don’t know if I’m on a spring cleaning kick or what, but getting organized has been on my mind lately. Ever since I wrote some articles years ago on feng shui — the Chinese art of creating a harmonious environment — I’ve noticed that I feel happier and more peaceful in attractive, orderly surroundings.

Too bad my family could care less about being organized. I mean, what’s the point of having a coat rack, a shoe cubby, key hooks, and a change jar if everything gets dumped in a big pile the second everyone walks in the door? Work with me, people!

Everyone knows that once you have kids, you accumulate a lot of stuff. The baby gear, the diapers, the toys, the clothes… the list goes on and on. Then you’ve got to find places to store all that stuff. Somehow in my house, it seems to multiply overnight. I now have an entire kitchen drawer dedicated to cup and bottle parts. Matching them all up is another story.

I don’t need my home to be as Zen and minimalist as a magazine layout. As long as I have messy kids and a busy life, that will never happen. I’m fine with having a pile of mail on the counter, a stack of books on the table, and a basket of dirty clothes in the corner. And I do love those fabric bins. At one point I tried to keep my kids’ stuffed animals in one bin, toy cars in another, and blocks in another. But since no one will work with me, usually everything’s all jumbled up together. But I don’t care as long as it’s off the floor and out of sight.

The important thing is being able to find something when you need it, right? I may not be the neatest person in the world, I may not have clear systems for everything, but I can usually tell you where something is. The extension cords? They’re in the pantry next to the disposable placemats and flavored drink mix that no one likes. What? Makes sense to me.

I could probably come up with a better way to organize my home, but I’m too busy doing other things. Like putting everybody else’s stuff back where it belongs.

How do you stay organized with kids?

Birds do it, and so do cats, apes, and other mammals preparing for birth. Nesting is an instinctual mechanism that prepares your “empty nest” to become full and quite busy for the next 18 years. Nesting is like spring-cleaning on steroids. Organization, cleanliness, and preparation are top priority. Now it’s time to clear some more space for your soon-to-be bundle of joy. If you get hit with the nesting instinct as you’re preparing for birth, make the most of it now, before life becomes so hectic that when the baby arrives even finding a moment to take a shower can be challenging.

Here’s a bunch of last-minute details that you’ll want to check off your list before going into labor, so you can put your mind and ease and relax before the big day. Mama-to-be’s, make sure you:

1. Prep Your Essentials

For such little creatures, babies need so much. They go through more clothes, diapers, and creams than you can imagine. Stock up on baby soap, cotton pads, a rectal digital thermometer, rubbing alcohol, a nasal syringe, nail clippers, BPA-free bottles, nipples, and more. And for you, pick up plenty of super-absorbent maxi pads, witch hazel, Tucks medicated pads, and ice packs (not the kinds of things you want to run out of in the middle of the night).

2. Cook in Quantity

If your nesting instinct is accompanied by an obsession with cooking, take advantage and get your meal prep on. Make extra servings of your favorite freezer-friendly foods. Make soups, bake muffins, prep hot cereals and stews, and then store in single-meal containers in the freezer, clearly marked. You’ll be especially grateful to come home to homemade meals and snacks after spending time in the birth center or hospital!

3. Do Laundry

Wash your towels, duvet cover, pillow shams, throw rugs, guest sheets, and anything else that needs a once-over before the baby arrives. Use an alternative to hefty chemical detergents. I like Dapple products because they con- tain eco-friendly formulas that are safe for your family and the environment. If you live in a place where you don’t have access to laundry, consider hiring a laundry service to take care of your needs for the first six weeks until you get into a rhythm. Stock up on your preferred detergent and cleaning solutions because you will be washing lots and lots of little onesies, pajamas, and receiving blankets.

4. Load Up Your Pantry

Stock up on staples like it’s going out of style—because it is. You won’t be doing the shopping once the baby arrives; you won’t have time. It’s all about keeping it healthy and convenient. Think nuts—the perfect nutrient- dense nibbler—trail mix, quinoa, and broths for easy soups. Other goods to get as you prepare for birth: whole-grain crackers, canned beans, brown rice, and healthy sauces.

5. Order Birth Announcements

You can get these online or at a stationery store, so they’re ready to go as soon as you know the final baby stats. And address the envelopes now so they’re ready to be stuffed and mailed. A great and easy way to announce baby’s birth- Pingg.com they have a variety of designs and you don’t have to bother with postage unless you really want to.

6. Restock Your Refrigerator

Out with the old, in with the new! Throw away any outdated items and shop for fresh ones. Stock up on foods for breastfeeding that you’ll want to have on hand once the baby has arrived—filtered water, fruits, veggies, hummus, prewashed salad greens, and so on. Make it easy on yourself and order your groceries online.

7. Spring into Clean Mode

You know the spring-cleaning that you’re always putting off until next fall? Whatever the season, now’s the time to tackle it while your nesting instinct is in full swing. Wipe down the windowsills and blinds, wash the floors, and vacuum under the couch and between the cushions—you may find a nice chunk of change while you’re at it! Be sensible in your quest for cleanliness: call in a team of friends, blast some good dance music, and get moving. Use chemical- free cleaning solvents. I love the Mrs. Meyer’s brand and Honest Company. Don’t push yourself if you’re pooped. Instead, push someone else, like your partner. Stay as close to the floor as possible. In fact, hanging out on hands and knees scrubbing the floors Cinderella-style is not a bad idea. The position helps to open up your pelvis and the hip swaying encourages your baby to move down into the pelvic outlet.

8. Style Baby

Don’t overbuy while you prepare for birth, but make sure you’re well stocked on those newborn essentials (T-shirts, onesies, sweaters, receiving blankets, and booties). Prewash baby’s outfits so there are plenty of things for her to wear. If you haven’t had a baby shower—put together a registry online to get all the basics and beyond.

9. Style Mama

Get fitted for the big day and postpartum. Buy adjustable nursing bras as well as nursing pads and easy-open (nursing) shirts. And stock up on soft, cotton, full- back underwear. Your thong days are over for a bit my friend. You’ll need big bloomer action for the first few weeks after the birth. Don’t go for the expensive undies here, as they may become stained with blood and discharge that will likely not wash away. Plan on tossing the granny panties about eight weeks postpartum. For pushing, you might try Pretty Pushers, a stylish affordable gown designed for labor and delivery.

10. Make a Who-to-Call Contact List

Set up the list now, so your birth coach and partner know whom to inform of your new arrival. You can use it later to e-mail your birth announcement to your whole list. You can also set up a call chain, where you enlist five people who call five people who call another five people, and the information gets disseminated quickly and effectively.

For more lifestyle tips for pregnancy and beyond check out Mama Glow: A Hip Guide to Your Fabulous Abundant Pregnancy, foreword by Dr. Christiane Northrup

How did you prep for baby’s arrival?

Plus, more from The Bump:

Signs of Labor to Watch Out for

Make a Birth Plan that Works for You!

10 Things You Have to Do Before You Go Into Labor

Moms (and mamas-to-be!) we know that cleaning isn’t exactly high on your priority list these days, what with a baby (or baby-on-board) to take care of, your partner to spend time with, a job to be on time for, pets and family members to look after and the rest of life’s crazy needs to be on top of. That’s why our incredible friends at The Nest have made the fake guide to cleaning your home possible! It takes just about 30 minutes, requires minimal heavy lifting (carrying around a baby is heavy enough!) and it’s something you can do while baby naps, before baby wakes, or after baby settles in for the night. Tag-team the cleaning routine with your partner and you’ll only spend 15 minutes sweeping your surroundings. (This is real. I repeat: This is real.)

Now, a warning: Because this is the “fake guide” to cleaning (and cleaning fast!), we skipped over the deep cleaning, scrubbing of the floors, bleaching of the bathrooms and scrubbing of the toilets. Instead, we’re giving you all the must-do’s to make your abode look clean and tidy!

So where should you start? Well, The Nest suggests…

Start with Decluttering (which takes roughly 4 minutes)

Pass through key rooms, picking up the following:
– Catalogs, bills, and newspapers
– Pets’ toys
– Handbags and shoes
– Sports equipment
– Stray DVDs

What comes next? Head on over to The Nest to find out how you can fake a clean home in 30 minutes! (It’s true, we swear!)

Plus, more from The Bump:

Are Cleaning Products Harmful to Baby?

How Can I Get My Toddler to Clean Up His Toys?

Is it Safe? Hidden Dangers Lurking in Your House

In nesting mode? In addition to decorating your nursery, it’s helpful to think ahead about how you’re going to organize everything (all those little odds and ends can be so hard to keep track of!). This is especially true if you’re working with a small space. Here are nine ideas we love for organizing baby’s gear.

Tell us, how did you organize your nursery? Any tips we should have included?

Plus, more from The Bump:

Nurseries & Baby Gear Message Board

Your Checklist: Nursery Decorating

Most Useful Nursery Products