The holiday season is here – it’s a magical time of year, full of travel, catch-ups, nostalgia of childhood memories and the excitement of making your little one’s first Christmas just as special.
While everyone is clinking glasses, filling their bellies and enjoying the festivities, you’ve got a baby who may not be coping so well with the change of routine.
Between the long days, late nights and excited relatives, your regular routine can quickly unravel. So, you may be wondering – how do new parents enjoy the holiday festivities with a baby?
Here are my top tips for surviving (and thriving) this festive season with a young baby, keeping stress levels down and your baby’s sleep on track.
Use the daylight and darkness to support sleep
Daylight has a strong effect on your baby’s body clock and circadian rhythm. Stepping outside and into the sunshine during awake windows can help to regulate their overall sleep cycles by boosting serotonin, which converts to melatonin and can help your baby fall asleep and stay asleep for longer.
When it’s time to put your little one down for a nap, it’s best to keep the room dark to support the production of melatonin (the body’s sleep hormone). You can easily darken a room while travelling or visiting someone else’s house by putting up a travel block out blind or pinning up a black sheet with a few pegs.
How to keep your baby’s sleep routine (mostly) on track
Sticking to a sleep routine during festive events and in social settings doesn’t always go to plan. However, there are a few tricks that can help to get your little one sleeping soundly while you’re out and about.
Keep nap times consistent – by putting your little one down for a nap at the same time each day, they will be naturally primed for sleep. Start by sticking to a consistent routine and establish a solid sleep schedule prior to the festive season. If the social event is during naptime, sometimes their regular naptime isn’t an option, and your little one will need to sleep away from home – in the pram bassinet or portacot.
Keep things familiar – don’t forget to pack their sleeping bag/swaddle or white noise machine to make the transition to sleep easier. Use familiar sleep cues to make your baby’s sleep environment feel safe.
Stay calm – babies can pick up on our energy. Remember to stay calm (even though you might be feeling stressed) as this can help your baby to fall asleep.
Navigating gatherings and social events
Planning ahead and setting boundaries is key for keeping your little one happy and safe at a social event. Talk with your partner beforehand and make a rough plan, so that you can both share the load and reduce overwhelm.
Even though your family and friends may have the best intentions at heart or feel it necessary to share their own experiences and parenting advice, it’s important to stick with what you feel is right for your family. You know your little one best.
It can be a good idea to send out a few guidelines for navigating situations that may arise. These could be shared with your relatives prior to the festive event.
Here is an example of what this could look like:
Keeping your cool
Even after the best forward planning – not everything will go to plan. Sleep routines may go out the window, a distant relative may be trying to comfort your crying baby (when you know they’ll only settle in your arms) and a well-meaning grandparent may be kissing them on the lips or sharing scraps off their plate.
While it may be the last thing you feel like doing, (and you may want to let them know exactly how you feel!) try to keep calm in the chaos of the situation. Take a few deep breaths, and if needed, remove yourself and your baby from the room or step outside to take a break.
Babies can become overstimulated when exposed to more noise than they can handle, or are surrounded by too many people or activities.
Here are a few signs your baby may be overstimulated:
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Crying
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Tiredness
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Irritability and tantrums
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Turning their head away
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Hitting or kicking
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Refusing to cooperate or feed
How to support at overstimulated baby:
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Take your baby away from a noisy environment or go to a darker room
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Speak softly around your baby
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Read them a book or set up a quiet activity
Remember, it’s ok to say no if things become overwhelming – this is a big transition period for both you and your baby.
Letting go of perfection
The holidays can look different with a baby. Maybe your living room won’t be picture-perfect or you might be enjoying your Christmas lunch one-handed while juggling a baby on your lap. And that’s ok. The goal isn’t perfection – it’s presence. Celebrate the small wins, like a calm feed, a Christmas photo without your baby spitting up on their new festive outfit, or simply spending time with the people you love.
1. Focus on the tiny moments
Joy hides in the small, fleeting moments: your baby’s first reaction to Christmas lights, watching a holiday movie together snuggled up on the couch or watching your baby try to rip the wrapping paper off their first Christmas gift.
2. Create new baby-friendly traditions
Taking your baby to see Christmas carols, strolling the neighbourhood in search of the best Christmas lights or catching up with other friends who have babies can become some of your most cherished memories.
3. Skip the Christmas traditions if they are causing stress
Is your baby not a fan of Santa photos? Then skip it! Do you usually stay out late with your friends for a Christmas party? Skip it this year or plan to organise a baby-sitter for the night. It’s ok to skip traditions that will bring more stress than joy this year.
Festive activities won’t always go to plan and that’s ok. The key to enjoying the festivities with a new baby is by letting go of the little things and using simple strategies to plan ahead where you can.
Babies are really adaptable and settle back into their usual routines quicker than we expect. Focus on flexibility and setting realistic expectations. You can soak-up all the festive magic (even when things get a little messy!) and make this holiday season one to cherish forever!
Do you need support with baby sleep during the holidays?
Our downloadable Baby & Toddler Travel Guide is the ultimate resource to ensure your little one gets the rest they need while you create amazing memories together. Packed with essential holiday tips and sleep advice, this guide will equip you with everything you need to make baby sleep on-the-go a stress-free experience.
