Baby’s First Christmas
Tips to help you and your baby survive the Season
It’s Christmas time, but does your baby know that? Will your newborn wait for their feeds whilst you tend to your Christmas chores? Or will the baby toddler revel in all the disruption of their normal routine? Funny eating time and strange sleeping abodes, is your toddler cool with that? I’m going to take a wild guess and say a definite “NO”! Instead of having a jolly, merry good old time this season, there will tears and tantrums and some of them might even be from you, from the absolute vexation of it all!
Despite the little inconveniences, this is a hopeful season, a time of joy and you can still enjoy your Christmas with even a baby in tow. Remember that doing what you can and enjoying it, will be more successfully than trying to do it all and failing! Here are some tips on getting the season right!
TIP 01
Holidays signal the time to getaway! Many plan small travel excursions, but if you have newborns or even toddlers, it might seem best to postpone your travel for a more calmer time. As small as they are babies when they travel need a lot of paraphernalia, from travel cots, to baby chairs to car seats, just to name a few. Then do not forget the numerous wardrobe changes, favourite teddies and blankies... etc. Holidays, which are meant to be a time of de-stressing will cause you undue stress and vexation. Therefore postpone your travel plans, just this once. Ask people to visit you instead, an easier way to still enjoy the holiday time.
TIP 02
What's Christmas without all the glorious décor?!. From bouncing Santas, to the mischievous Elf on the shelf, tinsel and baubles and of course the famous mistletoe. Everyone’s household explodes in the gaiety of the season. But as much as you would like to enjoy your nicely decorated house, when you have have inquisitive little toddlers walking around, it is going to soon turn into a futile exercise of “don’t touch this!” or Don’t touch that!. Therefore keeping this in mind decorate appropriately and save yourself the mental exhaustion!
TI P 0 3
Don’t be afraid to have a night in! Yes the season calls for many a Christmas festivity, and when you have a new baby or toddler, everybody wants to see the baby! But taking a baby out of his or her comfortable environment means disrupting their routine, so some days do not be afraid to decline invitations and have a night in. Or you can also arrange to meet at a time more convenient in the baby’s routine, a Christmas brunch or teatime festivities might be more doable for all.
TIP 04
Despite the festivities of the season, as much as you can try and stick to the baby’s routine. Keep the feeding times the same, and make sure they get their bath and bedtime at the usual times. Children are quite adaptable and when they are entertained at their usual routine times, they are less fuzzy and you can enjoy the rest of the night peacefully.
TIP 05
Do not be overwhelmed. Many a new mother will feel panic stricken at the thought of looking after a new baby as well as organising Christmas for the whole family. It can still be done, with help and sometimes just doing what you can. You do not have to cook a heaving table of food, what you can make in the limited time will definitely be appreciated.