Nesting Tips from Houston Organization Experts 

What do newborn photographers and Houston organization experts have in common? We both spend a lot of time with moms who are in full-blown nesting mode. That’s why I was so excited to team up with Nicole Nutt and Taylor Tribble of Contained Chaos, a Houston-based home organization business. We recently collaborated for a giveaway that gifted one deserving mama both an in-home organizing session to prep for a cozy lifestyle photo session with me. Because let’s be real: prepping for a baby should feel exciting, not exhausting.

(Side note: the winner, Lauren Ayers, is a baby-related business owner herself. She is a sleep coach for mamas and you can find out more about what she does here.)

It’s normal to want the house to be perfect. I think every mom is guilty of taking the nesting way too far at one point or another.  A word of advice: newborns do not come home ready to give your baseboards a white glove inspection. Your time is best spent in other ways (like resting!) and Nicole & Taylor had a lot to say on the topic!

Q&A with Houston Organization Experts 

If you’re expecting and feeling that itch to get everything done right now, Nicole and Taylor have some incredibly helpful, sanity-saving advice. Below are their tips from fellow moms who get it for how to make the most of those sought-after bursts of energy during pregnancy. (And how to prep your home in a way that’s actually sustainable once baby arrives.)

Q: Do you have any tips for expecting moms who are deep in nesting mode and want to feel more prepared?

Start small and focus on function over perfection. It’s so easy to fall down the Pinterest rabbit hole and feel like everything has to be picture-perfect before baby arrives. But as moms of four each, we’ve learned that what matters most is making sure the essentials are easy to access and systems are in place that work for you.

Think diaper changing stations, nursing or feeding setups, and a simple bin system for baby clothes by size—it makes those growth spurts way less overwhelming.

Q: As a Houston home organizer, what’s something you think more nesting moms should know, but often don’t?

You don’t need everything right away. The baby industry markets a lot of “must-haves,” but truthfully, babies need much less than we’re led to believe.

Having too much stuff too early can actually make it harder to stay organized. Focus on the basics, and let your real needs guide future purchases. Leave some space on purpose—you’ll be glad you did.

Q: If a mom is going to make sure she takes care of one area before her baby comes, which would you suggest as a professional organizer in Houston TX—and why?

Your bedroom or wherever you’ll be recovering and feeding the baby during those first few weeks. Everyone focuses on the nursery, but you probably won’t spend much time in there at first.

Make sure your own space has soft lighting, a water bottle, snacks, burp cloths, and a place to toss dirty laundry or diapers. You’ll feel more human when your recovery zone supports your daily rhythm.

Q: If you could tell every nesting mom one thing from an organizer’s perspective, what would it be?

Build systems that future-you can actually maintain. In those early newborn days, you’re running on very little sleep and a lot of emotion. If you keep it simple now—clear categories, labeled bins, easy “drop zones”—you’ll be able to stay afloat when life gets hectic.

Don’t overcomplicate it. Organization should support your life, not add to your to-do list.

Houston In-Home Photoshoot

I loved seeing how the giveaway winner’s space transformed during her session with Contained Chaos! I also loved capturing the cozy, lived-in beauty of her home and her family afterward. If you’re preparing for a new baby or just want to feel a little more in control of the everyday chaos, I highly recommend checking out Contained Chaos. You can follow them on Instagram here or reach out for more info on sessions if you’re local to Houston. And if you’re dreaming of an in-home photo session to capture your family right where life happens, I’m always just an email away.

Houston Newborn Photographer

Hey, I’m Melanie B of Mel B Photo. As a newborn, maternity, and family photographer serving the Tomball, Cypress, and Spring areas of Houston, TX, I’m here to capture every chapter of your young family’s story.  Ready to invest in a stress-free experience and emotion-packed, authentic images to remember every detail of this stage of life?  Check out my newborn packages here and don’t forget to follow along on Pinterest for tips & inspiration!  Want to book your session or have more questions? Contact me here. Let’s create memories together!