Hello lovely, and congratulations 💛

If you’ve just seen those two lines, welcome to the club. It’s exciting, surreal, and super duper overwhelming. We remember that moment so vividly: joy, disbelief, and a thousand tabs open on our phones about what to buy, eat, do, or avoid.

So let's start with this - take a deep breath. You don’t need to do everything today.  This is your calm, mum-to-mum guide to what really matters - broken into stages, with a focus on simplicity, sustainability, and self-kindness.

Stage 1: The Early Weeks (Weeks 1–12)

Focus: Rest, nourish, and slowly gather information.

These first few weeks can feel like limbo. You might not be ready to tell everyone, and your body’s changing quietly behind the scenes. This is your time to pause and listen.

What to do now:

• Book your GP appointment to start antenatal care — they’ll refer you to a midwife.

• Rest whenever you can (nausea and fatigue can be horrendous).

• Eat what you can manage, aiming for whole, nourishing foods when possible.

• Start gentle eco swaps — things like switching to a refillable water bottle or using natural body products.

What not to do now:

Rush into baby shopping.  There’s time, we promise. There's no escaping window shopping for cute things but actually buying... Not yet, bud!

Stage 2: Second Trimester (Weeks 13–27)

Focus: Energy returns + a perfect time to plan.

This is the “golden” trimester for many mums. You’re showing, the tiredness lifts a bit, and it all starts to feel real.

What to do now:

• Start reading and researching — gentle, trusted sources (NHS, NCT, our Blog... 😉).

• Think about your values: What kind of parenting feels right for you? Minimalist? Eco-conscious? Go with what aligns with you, not Instagram.

• Begin your baby essentials list — but don’t buy everything at once.
  Focus on “core” items that support comfort and care:

  • A safe sleeping space (next to me or a crib). We really rate a Snuz Pod.

  • A multi-purpose natural baby changing space such as our Seedling Baby Changing Basket

  • Natural fabrics for clothing and bedding.

  • Nappies and wipes (plant-based or reusable).

“When should I start buying baby things?”

Most mums begin collecting bits around 20 weeks, once they’ve had the scan.
Take it slow. Spread out purchases to avoid both budget shock and overwhelm.

Stage 3: Third Trimester (Weeks 28–40)

Focus: Preparing your nest and your mind.

The countdown begins - exciting and slightly surreal again! This is when most of us start nesting (and reorganising every drawer in the house… it’s a thing).

What to do now:

• Finalise the nursery or baby corner:
  A rabbit hole of what you need vs what you want. Especially with your first child but you don’t need Pinterest perfection - just a calm, functional space.
  Stick with natural materials (cotton, wood, wicker) that breathe and last.
  Use soft lighting and pieces that transition easily as baby grows.
  Make sure you create a space that you really love and include nostalgic elements that help you feel calm and cared for. You're going to feel a bit out-of-sorts sometimes so you'll need a space that feels familiar to you. 

• Prepare for the fourth trimester (the early weeks post-birth).
  Think: easy meals, comfy clothes, and support systems (the circle of trust).

• Pack your hospital or home birth bag from around 34 weeks.

“Do I need a full nursery before baby arrives?”

Absolutely not. Many mums (us included) kept baby in our room for the first 6–9 months.
Start with essentials only: safe sleep space, feeding area, changing setup.
You can add decorative bits and furniture later when you know what works for your space and lifestyle.

Stage 4: The Fourth Trimester (After Baby Arrives)

Focus: Slow down and be kind to yourself.

The first few weeks after birth are a blur of feeding, adjusting, and discovering a new rhythm. You’ll probably find your eco goals shift a bit and that’s okay.

What to do now:

• Rest and recover.

• Accept help when offered - meals, cleaning, cuddles (for you!).

• Use gentle, natural products for you and baby (it’s one less worry).

• Remember: you’re learning together.

“How can I stay sustainable when everything feels like chaos?”

Pick one area at a time — maybe reusable wipes this month, or sustainable cleaning products next. You’ll find your rhythm again.

Final Thoughts

Pregnancy doesn’t come with a manual — but it can come with a mindset:
simplify, nurture, and choose consciously.