One of the sweetest (and sometimes most overwhelming) parts of pregnancy is nesting — that natural urge to prepare your home and heart for your baby. As a mom-to-be in Switzerland (currently 26+ weeks), I’ve started feeling that pull to set things up, buy essentials, and create a cozy little world for my baby.
But here’s the truth: nesting doesn’t have to be stressful, and you don’t need to have everything ready at once. In this guide, I’ll share when to start nesting, how to plan your purchases, and how to avoid overwhelm while preparing for your baby in Switzerland.
What Is Nesting in Pregnancy?
Nesting is the strong desire to get your home ready for your baby — often in the third trimester. For many moms, this looks like:
- Cleaning and organizing every corner.
- Buying baby essentials.
- Preparing a nursery or baby corner.
- Stocking up on food, clothes, and supplies.
It’s both emotional and practical — creating a space of safety and comfort for your little one.
When Is the Best Time to Start Nesting?
Every mom is different, but many women find the second and third trimester (weeks 20–35) to be the best time:
- Second trimester: You usually have more energy, and it’s a good time to research and make lists.
- Third trimester: Around 28–34 weeks, nesting instinct kicks in strong. This is the ideal time to shop and organize, while you still feel mobile.
💡 Pro Tip: Don’t wait until the last weeks — babies sometimes arrive earlier than expected.
What to Focus On First: The Priority List
To avoid overwhelm, start with the must-haves before birth:
- Safe sleep: crib, bassinet, or co-sleeper.
- Transport: stroller, car seat (required by Swiss law).
- Clothing basics: a few newborn bodysuits, socks, hats.
- Feeding essentials: bottles, sterilizer, breast pump (if needed).
- Health & hygiene: newborn diapers, wipes, baby bath basics.
Nice-to-haves can wait: toys, high chair, decorative items, and extras.
Budgeting Tips for Nesting Moms in Switzerland
Nesting can quickly turn into overspending if you’re not careful. Here’s how to stay practical:
- Shop secondhand: Try Ricardo.ch, Tutti.ch, or Facebook Marketplace for strollers and furniture.
- Look for local mom groups: Many moms in Zurich & Aargau share/sell gently used baby items.
- Prioritize immediate needs: focus on the first 3 months, then buy as baby grows.
- Set a clear budget: break purchases into monthly chunks.
A Calm Approach to Nesting
Here’s a gentle, step-by-step nesting plan:
- Make a master list of essentials.
- Separate into must-have now vs can wait.
- Set a budget and timeline (e.g., shop monthly, not all at once).
- Prepare one corner/room at a time.
- Leave room for flexibility — you’ll learn as you go.
Nesting should bring joy, not anxiety.
My Nesting Hack for Best Prices
Product Inspection: Since my husband and I live not to far from the German border, we really wanted to take a physical look and test the products in person after numerous weeks of researching the best strollers and comparing them on YouTube videos and products reviews. So we drove to numerous stores at different border points which are about 30-40 minutes in distance from home, to make sure we get a real glimpse of the products. This is also a great opportunity to compare prices of the same product which you can purchase in Switzerland versus German prices. I would say this is more convenient for those who have a car as public transport can be time consuming and challenging to navigate after crossing over to the German border. But not impossible! Renting a ‘Mobility’ car or go with a friend who own a car, would be really helpful too.
Online Discounts: Once you have seen the products at the stores, compare the prices online as many websites will offer better deals of various combos of the products. It gets me so excited because I can get more for my buck and definitely a plus point for the husband. If you know you know!
Amazon Baby Wishlist: The Amazon baby wishlist is so great because they give you about 15% discount on all baby products. This wishlist must be activated at least for 14 days and must be 3 months-ish before your baby’s due date, which you have to disclose upon activation. You can save up to EUR 300 on purchases, which I think is extremely helpful so you can redirect that money to buying something else. Worth having a look at it as the discount is also valid up to 90 days after your baby is born too.
*Amazon does not exactly deliver directly to Swiss address, unless you want to pay the hefty custom/tax prices for your products. If you have a Germany PO Box address at the border, this is a plus point because you can save a lot of money on deliveries. If not, ask a few friends or people you know who may be able to lend you their address for deliveries and offer to go with them to pick up your stuff when they do go across the border.
Final Thoughts
Nesting is not about having a Pinterest-perfect nursery — it’s about creating a safe, comfortable space for you and your baby. By starting in the second or early third trimester, focusing on essentials, and budgeting wisely, you can prepare with confidence without overwhelm.
Remember: your baby really needs you, your love, and a few basics. Everything else can come later.
👉 Download my free “Nesting Checklist for Moms in Switzerland” — a printable guide to keep your baby prep simple and stress-free. Head over to the TOOLS page for more downloadable resources.
