Embrace Your Nesting Journey with Emilie from Nesting Notes Co.

Emilie is the premier nesting consultant in the Chicagoland area and founder of Nesting Notes Co.. She lives with her husband and beloved puppy, Pepper, in the northern suburbs after many years in the city. As “Auntie Em” to five wonderful children (ages 2–10) and a longtime nanny to numerous families, she has spent years researching, testing, and refining choices in baby gear, tiny wardrobes, and nursery essentials. With a background in developmental psychology, she values the importance of using developmentally appropriate gear and methods to raise happy, healthy, and safe babies. Emilie’s philosophy is that curating a custom nest sets parents up to find confidence and ease in the first moments, weeks, and years of parenthood.

The Excitement and Overwhelm of Preparing for a Baby

Preparing for a baby is such an exciting season—and yes, it can feel overwhelming too. Between advice from friends, endless online lists, and the pressure to have everything ready, it’s easy to wonder where to even start.

If that sounds familiar, take a deep breath. You’re not behind—you’re just nesting. As a professional baby consultant and founder of Nesting Notes Co., I work with Chicagoland families who want to prepare for a baby with more calm, clarity, and confidence. Below are a few simple, grounding ways to feel prepared—without feeling overwhelmed.

Focus on Function and Future Before Aesthetics

It’s tempting to start with nursery décor or baby clothes (and by all means, enjoy this!), but the most grounding preparation comes from thinking through how you’ll use your everyday spaces. While you can’t predict everything, you already know more than you think about what life with a baby will look like in the first months and years.

Ask yourself:

• Where will feeding happen at 2 a.m.?

• Where in my home will diaper changes feel easiest during the day?

• When the baby is 2 years old, where will we be having snacks and meals?

• How will I most enjoy carrying the baby in the house, on walks, on errands?

  
  

Determining functional setups will make daily life feel smoother and less stressful. Then, you can certainly find ways to add the colors, fabrics, textures, features, and themes you like!

Prepare Your Recovery Space

One of the most overlooked parts of nesting is preparing for parent recovery. Consider setting up a small station for caregivers with:

• A list of people in your support network

• Water and easy snacks

• Essentials like baby feeding supplies, medications, hand sanitizer, or chargers

  
  

Your comfort matters. When you feel supported, everything else will feel more manageable.

Consider Your Lifestyle

Considering your lifestyle will save you time, money, and effort in the long run! What works for one family may not work for yours. Recommendations can be helpful, but they’re best taken with a grain of salt. When you ground your choices in the realities of your daily life, you’re more likely to buy gear that truly works for you—and avoid scrambling for replacements later.

Ask yourself:

• How often will we travel, and how will we usually get around?

• Who is part of our support network, and what do they need to care for the baby confidently?

• How much space in our home will be dedicated to the baby?

• How important are green, organic, or sustainable baby brands to me?

• What do I value most and want to protect—sleep, showers, exercise?

  
  

These questions connect directly to the gear available to support a life that still reflects your values after the baby arrives.

Decide What Doesn’t Need to Be Done

Nesting isn’t about doing everything—it’s about doing what truly supports you now and in the future. Give yourself permission to:

• Leave non-urgent projects unfinished

• Ignore advice that doesn’t fit your lifestyle

• Set boundaries when necessary

• Accept help when it’s offered

• Remember that it takes a village

  
  

A Gentle Reminder

There is no such thing as being perfectly prepared. A calm and supported parent matters far more than having every item checked off a generic list. Even a few intentional choices can make the transition into parenthood feel steadier and more peaceful.

Embrace the Journey

As you embark on this beautiful journey of parenthood, remember that every step you take is a step toward creating a loving environment for your little one. Embrace the moments of joy, the laughter, and even the challenges. Each experience will shape your unique story as a parent.

If you’re local to Chicago and looking for personalized nesting support—whether that’s choosing your gear, curating your registry, setting up your home, or simply figuring out where to start—you can learn more at nestingnotesco.com and reach out to Emilie anytime. Wherever you are in your nesting journey, you’re doing better than you think and more than enough. Wishing you ease as you prepare to welcome your little one.