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Survival tips for baby’s first Christmas visiting family or friends

Posted by Sachelle, 16th December 2015 at 13:27
Survival tips for baby’s first Christmas visiting family or friends

How many sleeps?!

I am the kid in our household when it comes to Christmas, I am always the first awake clattering around trying to make as little noise so as not to wake the brood up – well I clatter so they do wake up! It has always been the same even when the oldest kids were young. Now there is a cross section of ages it’s a little challenging with some who have been out late the night (before nursing a slightly sore head) to others who are either too young or tired to entertain such an outing right before the big day.

Christmas is fun and very exciting but also tiring, especially if you have a baby/toddler or two/three or more in tow, and can be a little stressful,so here are some tips on how to embrace the season, get the most out of it and be jolly.

Everyone wants to spend Christmas with the new addition to the family and if you are being pulled here there and everywhere take a breath and make a plan.

Christmas away from home

If your little one sleeps well sometimes it is easier to go visiting rather than entertain at home. If you have a good little traveller car journeys can be quite relaxing, play some soothing music and enjoy the ride.

When you arrive:

If you are staying over set up camp in the bedroom and don’t feel bad if you want to retreat for a doze. Take it as a time to relax and unwind and be pampered. This won’t be possible every Christmas so take advantage of it while you can.

Arrival gift: Why not buy everyone staying a set of ear plugs as an arrival gift, they are a fun gift that will send the message that people just might not get a good night’s sleep and it takes the pressure off a little.

Cot bedding: Even if there is a cot at the house it might be worth taking your own cot bedding (as baby will be used to the smell) and any soother/toys that relax him.

Check out the windows in the bedroom and make sure you have a good blackout option. As a last resort just use bin liners or if you are prepared there are good blackout blind options on the market – you can always ask the question re morning light to your hosts a few weeks before so you can plan ahead. A good travel option is the Gro Anywhere Blind, and ingenious idea that fits most shape and size windows.

Bottle feeding: Take over an area of the kitchen for sterilising and claim it as your own, that way you won’t feel like you are in the way

Breast feeding: Feed where and when you are comfortable. If you want to have a little quiet time with baby take yourself off to your bedroom and relax to feed or if you don’t want to miss out on all the fun but feel a little embarrassed about feeding in public take a nursing cover. I used the Bebe au Lait nursing cover as I liked the designs and the curved neck so I could always see him when feeding, it also helps avoiding fiddly eating as it stops distraction.

He won’t go to anyone else: if your baby is going through his separation anxiety phase and doesn’t like to be cuddled, played with and cooed at by anyone other than you then just go with it. Try to involve people in playing and it might be that he will just find one of the guests entertaining.

Above all remember that you and your little one come first- the last thing you want is to be stressed with an over tired baby. Slow your pace and enjoy being pampered if you can and have a fabulous Christmas enjoying time with your baby and loved ones too

 

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