Nesting Materials
A list of things I imagine are part of “nesting material.” Nesting material, for me (and perhaps many others) tend to evoke thoughts of soft materials, warmth, items that bring comfort, and just a general cozy vibe.
Extremely soft, fluffy blankets
Think plush, fleece, 100% polyester faux fur, minky, etc. throw blankets. These are top-layer materials as they’re super soft against the skin. Plush throw blankets are also sometimes used to cover the omega during lulls in their heat when they’re sleeping as these are thinner/less warm than a comforter or duvet but are perfect for keeping them warm enough without getting uncomfortable.
These blankets will often have scents that the omega likes or makes them feel safe/comfortable on them. They may be scented by family, pack, or their mate(s).
Pillows
Often used to create the wall(s) of a nest or just line one side (where their head will be). Pillows will vary in both size, type, and softness depending upon what the omega may need them for in the process of nest making. Any pillows that would be in contact with skin in the nest will often have pillowcases or shams on them that are made of the same soft and fluffy material as the top layer blankets. If such pillowcases or shams are not available, a blanket will be used to cover them in order to ensure softness.
It is not uncommon to see omegas utilize pillow-like plushies in their nests (think PillowPets and Squishmallows), especially if they are young omegas or neurodivergent omegas.
Couch Cushions
Some omegas will use couch cushions when in a pinch for any myriad of reasons. Either as walls for their nest or to make the base of the nest. These are fairly uncommon nesting materials and are typically only used if an omega has a sudden heat in a place they are either unfamiliar with or otherwise do not feel comfortable making a nest in a bedroom (ex. A new friend’s home, an AirBnB, etc.)
Comforters & Duvets
These are often used to make up the base of the nest for those that are not made on a bed or mattress. Outside of winter and very cold climates, these are never used to cover up and keep warm during sleep.
These are typically the fluffiest and most pillowy comforters and duvets that the omega has available and they are often set aside explicitly for nesting purposes.
Slick & Water Resistant Mattress Protectors
A must-have for anyone. These are easiest to find for nests which are made on beds, these go over the mattress before putting on the fitted sheet to help protect the mattress from absorbing all the bodily fluids that come as a result of being in or sharing one’s cycle. These tend to be harder to find for hand-made nests as it is impossible for manufacturers to make them the right size for these nests. Crafty omegas (or loved ones who know how big the omega makes their nests) might make some by purchasing several packs of those made for beds and cutting off the fitted parts and then stitching them together to make a suitable size for the omega to use like a blanket to drape over the base of the nest before putting on their top layer of blankets.
There are many different kinds and in many different colors and fabrics. They might also vary in how much body fluid they can take. More expensive ones are able to last for an entire heat before needing to be changed. These are most commonly found in hotels that cater to those going through their cycles.
Typically/Ideally, omegas (and/or their partner(s)) will change these every day (along with their blankets) for good hygiene and mental health.
All Other Bed Sheets
Fitted sheets and top sheets are typically found mostly on bed-based nests. For these types of nests, these sheets are typically made of fabrics that the omega finds to be soft to the touch as well.
Outside of use for bed-based nests, top sheets are usually found on any nest type as a lightweight blanket to cover a sleeping omega and their partner(s) for warmth that won’t cause them to get too hot.
Flannel sheets are more commonly used during winter or in cold climates, but some omegas enjoy their softness and warmth all-year round.
Clothes
Clothes are a common nesting material and omegas frequently seek out clothes that are soft and also contain scents that are of comfort to them. Many omegas will, during the lead up to their heat, ask family, pack, and their partner(s) for scented articles of clothing. These clothing items are typically clean, old clothes that don’t fit the individuals any more (or that they don’t want anymore) and would have gone to be donated. The omega selects what they want and the owner will scent the item for them.
During the nest building process, an omega will place the clothes out of the way where bodily fluids can’t get to them. Sometimes, they use them as pillow covers if they don’t have soft enough pillowcases or shams and don’t want to give up a blanket that could be used to remake the nest to cover the pillows. Some adult omegas use a particularly important article of clothing in place of a stuffed toy and will hug it to them while sleeping. This might be a piece of clothing that still has the scent of a beloved one who passed away or belongs to their mate(s) and has the strongest scent of them available.
If, during their heat, these clothing items are moved from where they were safely kept and do become dirty, it is considered good manners to clean the item and either keep it or donate it yourself.
Plushies/Stuffies/Stuffed Animals/Cuddly Toys
You get what I mean. Plushies are most often seen in the nests of young omegas and neurodivergent omegas. They are typically more rare in “neurotypical” adult omega nests, as they often worry about their partner(s) potentially judging them negatively or (in the case of alpha partners) be “jealous” while in rut and will either fling them out of the nest or bite/rip them. Alphas biting/ripping stuffed toys is not a common issue, but it is one that is seen as a giant red flag as it is evidence that they do not respect an omega and their things.
Plush toys are not necessarily nesting material in the typical sense as they are not often used to actually build the nest (unless the omega is utilizing pillow-like plushies such as PillowPets or Squishmallows). However, they are considered by the omegas who use them to be the final touch to their nest, the cherry on top, if you will. A familiar comfort to help them through an extremely uncomfortable, painful, frustrating time. Beloved plushies that an omega has had for years are often center-stage and kept closest to them within the nest. Unmated omegas may engage in grooming behaviors with their plushies as a way to self-soothe, but this behavior is also considered a sign that the omega has been in contact with a highly compatible partner/their true mate.
Many plushies used in nests bear an emotional connection to the omega owner and they are often either heavily scented by the owner or, in some cases, be scented by the individual who had given the plush to the omega. This could be done by providing just the clothes belonging to the plush to the individual to scent or the whole plush.
Manufactured Nests
These are considered nesting material in the sense that these are nests made by corporations for those who may be too busy or do not have the spoons to make their own nest completely from scratch (or maybe they just don’t want to or want something to help give them an easy head-start).
For young omegas, parents/guardians may buy them Squishmallow nests, these are essentially human-sized versions of their pet beds. These are nice starter nests to help young omegas to learn how to line and make their own nests. These nests are good for every young designation though as a training tool to help them learn how to help an omegas make their nest.
Though the company does make these in sizes big enough for adults to use, they are extremely expensive.
For adults, one can get manufactured nests from places like Pottery Barn, Walmart, Target, and Amazon. Manufactured nests purchased through Amazon run the risk of having others’ scents on them and is a common complaint in the review sections. On the upside, this can be combated by using a scent neutralizing spray to thoroughly douse the nest and then let it air dry before scenting it.
There is still a stigma around adults utilizing manufactured nests, with many in the older generation viewing the use of them as laziness and/or a sign that the omega doesn’t care enough about their partner(s) to put the effort in to making a nest from scratch. They are wrong, of course.
Nest is best, no nest is not.
All photos are free to use images from unsplash.com
