A festive time of year can mean several things for a family with a newborn or young baby! Suddenly going to stay with relatives and friends, with a baby in tow can mean extra preparation!
I had my first Christmas as a mother, with a 4 month year old. We decided it would be fun to split the Christmas day! Breakfast with one grandparent, and lunch with the other grandparents! Hindsight is a wonderful thing…… I wouldn’t advise this! It was a lovely day, but it was not easy driving 3 hours with a 4 month year old on Christmas day, even though traffic is non-existent, we still had to make stops. You often want to do the same things that you always did, but be gentle on yourself now you have a baby!
I soon learnt that packing the key things, will help re-create the sleep environment you have at home, at wherever you may be staying. Sleeping bag, maybe the travel cot, comforters (where appropriate) white noise, familiar night light and anything else you think would help. If you usually make up formula, maybe consider some ready-made bottles (if it is appropriate for your baby) as it can be easier when staying away from home.
Next, you can absolutely try to stick to your usual nap times, but don’t overthink or stress too much. Attempting to travel during the baby’s nap is a wise plan!! If you can manage one of their naps in their usual nap environment before leaving, that is a bonus too! However, if it does not go to plan, do not worry, you can always get back on track and it will not be a problem! Relaxing about it, will help your baby pick up on that vibe too.
Watching out for sleep cues over days visiting or hosting may help. Yawning, rubbing eyes and crying may be a sign of tiredness or overstimulation. Everyone will want to hold the baby, play with the baby, maybe feed the baby. However, you are the one who decides if it is nap time, bed time or time for some 'time out.' There is no need to feel guilty about doing what is best for your own baby.

I remember quite clearly another Christmas (pregnant with my second) at my husband’s family’s house. My husband was in bed with food poisoning, so I was a pair of hands down. At the Christmas table, my 18-month year decided to eat NONE of the Christmas dinner that had been prepared, and had a plate of crisps. She got bored after a few minutes, so I had five minutes to eat my lunch, before I excused us both. It was not ideal, but she wasn’t going to sit there enjoying a full turkey roast having polite chat was she? So I decided that this is just how it is this year. If your child doesn’t fancy the brussels, so what? They will be fine for that day, try to relax and let them have the food they want to eat at the table without having the expectation they should try everything.
The final thing is to look after you. Babies and children are tiring, the festive season is fun but can also be tiring and it is your time to enjoy too, however you wish. If one day you don’t feel up to it, then ask yourself ‘do I really need to feel guilty for cancelling?’. If you have a newborn or young baby, the chances are the impact of cancelling will not be as huge as you think, but it will protect you and your health and wellbeing.
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