5 COZY WAYS TO KEEP BUSY ON MATERNITY LEAVE

5 COSY WAYS TO KEEP BUSY ON MATERNITY LEAVE (WHILE STILL RESTING!)

Maternity leave is a strange little window of time – full of excitement, waiting, and often… wondering what to do with yourself! Especially in those last few weeks before baby arrives, when work has stopped but baby hasn’t quite made their appearance. So here are 5 gentle, cosy ideas to help you fill your days with comfort, purpose and peace – all without wearing yourself out.

Make it stand out

1. Create a Little Nesting Corner

Think fairy lights, cushions, and a good footstool. Somewhere you can snuggle down with a warm drink and just be. It might be for listening to your hypnobirthing tracks, journaling, reading birth books or simply daydreaming about meeting your baby. You deserve a space that feels soft and safe.

2. Do a Gentle Declutter

Nothing major – just a drawer here or a cupboard there. Maternity leave is a great time for simplifying, especially when you’re in that ‘nesting’ headspace. Choose one tiny area at a time and only if you fancy it. You’re making space not just in your home, but in your mind too.

3. Batch Cook (But Only If It Feels Fun!)

Popping a few extra meals in the freezer can feel really nurturing – future you will be so thankful. Think slow cooker soups, cottage pies, or traybakes. Stick a podcast or birth playlist on while you cook, and keep it cosy.

4. Connect With Other Local Mums

Even if you’re more of a homebird (like me), a gentle chat with another mum-to-be can lift your spirits. Look for a local Facebook group (you’re very welcome in mine!) or become a lady that lunches. or you could find a breastfeeding support group to go along to!

5. Sink Into Birth Preparation

This is your time to really connect with your body and your baby. Practise your breathing, listen to your affirmations, visualise your ideal birth space. Whether you're planning a homebirth or a caesarean, the principles of hypnobirthing can wrap around your birth plan. My one-to-one classes are perfect if you’re craving a quiet, nurturing approach.

Remember, you don’t have to do anything at all if you don’t feel like it. Rest is productive. Daydreaming is a form of preparation. And just sitting with your hand on your bump, breathing gently, is sometimes the most important thing you can do.

If you’re local to Rotherham or Sheffield and would love a private, cosy birth class to support you through your maternity leave and beyond, I’d love to welcome you in. 🕯️

Gill 💕