Your baby's first Christmas

No matter if your baby is going to be a few weeks or many months old during her first holiday season, it is definitely important not to go overboard. Babies won’t understand what all the fuss is about and, for this reason it’s advisable you don’t invest too much time or energy in the festive season.

Mom of two, Kelley Lawson, 41, from Reno, NV, says that although her daughter’s first Christmas was just another day, it was hard not to get swept up in the event. “All the adults were very excited, but the first Christmas is like your child’s first birthday – lots of presents and keen adults and ultimately your baby doesn’t have a clue!”

Try to cherish the fact that for the next few years, your baby is not going to be demanding the latest Nintendo DS/DVD player/other expensive piece of technical equipment, and will definitely be more impressed by the leftover gift wrap than the present inside it! Soon this will change and you will be hit for wallet-fleecing presents left, right and center. Enjoy your reprieve while it lasts!

Obviously, if there are other older children to be catered to, then it is more unrealistic to expect the holiday season to be low-key but if not, try not to go crazy. Whitney says that even though your baby doesn’t understand what’s going on, it is a symbolic occasion. “In a sense, it is the beginning of the holiday season becoming magic again. You know your baby doesn’t understand, but you also know that soon they will and therefore you can indulge your own childlike fantasies again.” 

Here are gurgle’s top tips on how to make your baby’s first holiday season enjoyable and stress-free…

Traveling

If you’re planning on visiting relatives for Thanksgiving, avoid long journeys if possible – if you’d never normally make that type of trip with your baby then don’t! Get people to come to you, or just resolve to have a smaller celebration at home. You want to enjoy yourself, but by piling on unnecessary pressures, you might make that difficult to achieve.

If you’re traveling anywhere by plane, remember that airports are at their busiest during Thanksgiving and prepare for the inevitable queues, especially with heightened security checks. Factor in plenty of time and pack drinks and food for you and your baby.

Food

Firstly, if you’re hosting Thanksgiving, Christmas or Hanukkah at your house, don’t give yourself too much to do. Your priority should be to relax, so give yourself a break. Divide the tasks between yourself and your partner and life will become much easier – it’s perfectly reasonable to ask for help at this time.

We all know that over the holiday season we can all become a little indulgent and let ourselves get carried away. We often allow ourselves to eat and drink things at this time of year that we might otherwise avoid and that’s fine. However, keep in mind that your baby (if weaned) may suffer from eating too many rich or strange foods. ?New foods ought to be introduced one at a time so your baby’s delicate stomach has time to get used to them. Rich foods containing high amounts of salt, sugar and alcohol are only going to cause problems – and nothing will ruin your celebrations more than having to cope with a sick baby. Little children can react strongly to foods that disagree with them and for this reason it is a good idea to keep their food simple, however much you may want to indulge their taste buds.

Time-out

If you’re hosting a holiday celebration or have traveled somewhere for one, chances are that there will be plenty of eager relatives who would like nothing more than to baby sit your little one. Take the opportunity to spend some quality time with your partner or catch up with old friends and if you do get offers of help with your baby or the practical side of cooking and entertaining, don’t be too proud to say yes. Don’t make life overly difficult for yourself – it’s hard enough with a young baby without deciding you need to do everything yourself. Nobody will think you’re a bad mommy for accepting a bit of support, and grandparents will be secretly delighted to take charge! On the other hand, if you feel your baby is being swiped away from you at every opportunity by eager relatives, don't be afraid to get away from it all and have a bit of mommy, daddy and baby time. 

Gifts

You might not want (or need) more gear or toys for your baby, so be brutally honest beforehand. Tell relatives and grandparents you’d rather have a contribution to your child’s college fund or suggest a really practical gift instead of another soft toy. Emphasize that if you need to fly home with it, it should be small enough to pack easily. Another good alternative is to ask relatives to contribute a charity in your child’s name.

Above all, try to enjoy this festive end to your baby's first year without exerting undue pressure on yourself and others around you. Good luck and Happy Holidays!

Seasonal things that babies love

- All children, whatever age, love Christmas trees and lights, so if your baby needs some time-out from relatives walk around the block with her in her stroller or sling to see the holiday lights.

- Gift wrap and empty boxes make great toys for babies! Be sure to supervise and make sure that all plastic bags are out of reach in case of suffocation hazards and that she doesn’t play with gift wrap near an open fire or near your Hanukkah menorah.

- Leftover Thanksgiving turkey makes delicious baby food as long as you didn’t add salt when you cooked it. Turkey and vegetables can be whizzed into a purée or mashed if your child is older. And if you want to include your child fully in your Hanukkah celebration, prepare a special batch of salt-free latkes for her.

The information in this feature is intended for educational purposes only. If you have any concerns about your health, the health of your child or the health of someone you know, please consult with a doctor or other healthcare professional.