Nest Pregnancy and Parenting Education

Happy Easter to all of our beautiful NEST families 🐰🐣❤️

We hope you're having a lovely, relaxing time 😊

Lots of love, the Team at NEST # # #

🍂 Change of season check-in for little ones 🍂

You might have noticed the mornings and evenings starting to feel a bit cooler. This in-between season can be tricky when dressing babies. It’s warm one minute and chilly the next!

A little reminder:
• Dress in layers so you can easily add or remove clothing
• A light cardigan or jumper is perfect for quick temperature changes
• Keep socks handy . Little feet get cold quickly
• A thin hat can help on breezy mornings (especially for newborns)

It’s also a good time to check:
✨ Sleep sacks - is the TOG still suitable?
✨ Outgrown long sleeves from last winter
✨ Pram blankets for cooler walks

Babies don’t regulate their temperature as easily as adults, so it’s helpful to feel their chest or back (rather than hands) to see if they’re comfortable ❤️

Ever noticed how some babies freeze when you put them on grass or sand? 🏖️👣

For many babies, grass and sand are the first unpredictable surfaces they’ve ever felt. Think about it…
✔️ It’s cold
✔️ It’s uneven
✔️ It moves under their feet
✔️ It feels very different to carpets and floors

Their brains are working overtime trying to process all this new sensory information. Balance, texture, temperature and movement all at once? That’s a lot for a little nervous system 🥰

Some babies respond by lifting their feet, stiffening their legs or refusing to walk at all. Totally normal.

But with time, exposure and reassurance, most babies adapt. Let them explore at their own pace, offer a hand if needed, and trust their body to figure it out.

New sensations take courage – even for the tiniest humans 🌿

(Thank you Bec, for allowing us to use this lovely pic of your gorgeous boy 🥰)

NESTParents

Twin Fun Facts

It's so exciting. We’ve had quite a few expectant parents with twins lately 💛

Did you know…

👶 Twins can recognise each other’s voices in the womb
👶 Identical twins don’t always have identical fingerprints
👶 Twins often develop their own little “language” with each other (how cute is that!)
👶 Every set of twins is completely unique...even identical ones

To all our twin parents-to-be… you are amazing already!

We can’t wait to meet your double bundles of joy and support you every step of the way 🥰

We want to say hello and welcome to all our beautiful parents-to-be joining us this year.

Whether this is your first baby or your fourth, we want you to know that when you walk through the doors at NEST, you’re stepping into a fun, friendly and completely non-judgemental space. Our educators are experienced, passionate and mums themselves 💕

There’s no need to feel nervous, no pressure to “know it all”, and no such thing as a silly question here. You'll feel supported, have fun, make connections and will learn LOTS!! 😊

We’re so excited to meet you and to be part of your journey into parenthood.

With love,
The team at NEST x

Preparing for a Smoother Transition to Life with Baby

The weeks before birth are the perfect time to gently prepare, not just your home, but your heart and mind too.

Here are a few things that can make the transition easier:

🌿 Rest & nourish — Take naps, eat well, and give your body the care it needs as it nears birth.

🧺 Set up your space — Create cozy feeding and changing areas that feel calm and practical.

🤱 Learn about your newborn needs — Understanding feeding, sleep, and normal baby behaviour can reduce overwhelm later.

👩‍❤️‍👨 Talk with your support people — Discuss how they can best help once your baby arrives (meals, housework, emotional support, helping with pets).

🕯️ Visualise those early days — Think about what helps you feel calm and grounded, and plan to include those things.

💬 Find your village — Connect with other parents or local groups. Having the right people around you makes a big difference.

✨ Understanding Cradle Cap ✨
Those little yellowish, flaky patches on your baby’s scalp are known as cradle cap. It's super common and usually harmless.

💛 What it is:
Cradle cap (seborrheic dermatitis) often appears in the first few months. It’s caused by natural oils and skin cells building up on your baby’s scalp.

🌿 What helps:

Cradle cap will clear up over time but here are some gentle things you could do...

Gently massage your baby’s scalp with a little oil (olive, coconut or baby oil).

Let it soak for 10–15 minutes.

Use a soft baby brush or cloth to lift the flakes away.

Wash the hair with a mild baby shampoo.

Never be tempted to pick the flakes off as this can be painful and can make the scalp bleed.

✨ When to check in:
If the area looks red, sore, or spreads beyond the scalp, have a chat with your midwife, Plunket nurse, or GP.

Remember, cradle cap doesn’t bother your baby, and it usually clears on its own. A little gentle care (and time) works wonders 💕

There’s something so special about the friendships that form during pregnancy and those early months of parenthood. 💛

Sharing experiences, stories and questions makes you realise you’re not alone on this journey. These connections often become a lifeline and friendships for life are formed.

At Nest, we love seeing the bonds that begin in our antenatal classes continue long after the babies arrive. 💫 It makes us so happy when we see our groups out together having fun.

🤍 Here’s to coffee catch ups, honest chats, and the village that grows around you.

There’s nothing quite like your baby’s first laugh, that sweet, unexpected sound that makes your heart melt and will stay with you forever 💖

Most babies share their very first giggle between 3 to 4 months old, often when they see a familiar face or hear a loving voice. 🥰

It’s a beautiful milestone that shows your little one is learning how to communicate, recognize joy, and connect emotionally with you.

Laughter helps babies build social bonds, strengthen their emotional development, and even supports brain growth 💫

💬 We’d love to hear your stories.What made your baby laugh for the very first time?

Preparing for a Summer Birth ☀️

Isn't this warmer weather lovely? 😊Summer babies are on the way! 💛 If your due date falls in the warmer months, a little prep can make those final weeks (and the early newborn days) much more comfortable.

Here are our top tips for preparing for a summer birth:

👗 1. Dress for comfort. Light, breathable fabrics are your best friend. Think loose cotton dresses and maternity singlets that keep you cool while your bump blossoms.

💧 2. Stay hydrated. You’ll need even more water than usual especially in late pregnancy when swelling and heat can take a toll. Keep a reusable water bottle handy wherever you go.

🧴 3. Sun safety matters. Pregnancy hormones can make your skin extra sensitive, so use sunscreen daily and seek shade when you can.

🏠 4. Keep your space cool. Set up your birth and baby spaces for airflow. A fan, light sheets, and blackout curtains can make a huge difference.

🍼 5. Plan for hot-day comfort postpartum. Pack cooling pads or a hand fan in your hospital bag, and stock your freezer with easy, nourishing meals and icy snacks for recovery days.

🌸 6. Know your support team. Make sure your birth partner knows how to help you stay cool and comfortable. Cold flannels, gentle reminders to hydrate, and calm reassurance go a long way.

HAPPY HALLOWEEN 👻🎃 to all our little ghosts and pumpkins 🎃👻