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Baby etiquette at the holidays is important; it can mean the difference between a warm family gathering filled with laughter and hugs and a frigid family dinner filled with snarky comments and piercing glares.
Dec22
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Baby Etiquette at the Holidays
Posted in: Routines
Pack Smartly
One of the most important things parents can do is to plan ahead when visiting friends and family. Whether it is a weekend with family or just a holiday meal, no one can travel lightly when a small child is involved. Parents should be prepared with changes of clothes, a diaper bag with all of your typical supplies, and a few comforting items from home, like a favorite blanket or toy.
Try to not go overboard though. If you have to make several trips to the car to retrieve baby paraphernalia, you probably over-packed. A good tip is to leave the “maybes” in the car. You can always retrieve those little odds and ends if you really end up needing them.
Handle With Care
If your baby is very young at the holiday, determine beforehand who you let hold or touch her. Having hand sanitizer at the ready and an age rule in place is usually sufficient. However, we all have that relative who takes a few too many sips of egg nog who may need to be deterred from holding anything, especially your priceless angel.
If your baby is very young at the holiday, determine beforehand who you let hold or touch her. Having hand sanitizer at the ready and an age rule in place is usually sufficient. However, we all have that relative who takes a few too many sips of egg nog who may need to be deterred from holding anything, especially your priceless angel.
Eat, Sleep and Be Merrier!
Allow plenty of time for baby to rest and eat well before a holiday gathering. New people and busy events can be stressful and upsetting, so be sensitive to how the day is going and whether or not the child needs to go down to rest. If possible, try to plan only one family gathering per day and save other visits for other holidays. This can greatly increase baby’s rest time and greatly decrease the chances of a baby meltdown.
Diaper duty doesn’t stop during the holidays and parents should be prepared to find a private area of the home for changes. It’s just fine to ask your host in advance if there is a preferred place for changes, he or she may provide you with a good suggestion. But please, new moms and dads, do not do the doodie duty on the living room floor.
If you are breastfeeding, simply excuse yourself to another room for feedings. Those who are not bothered by nursing and want to visit with you will likely join you. If no one tags along, enjoy a few minutes of not having to watch tensions mount between your father and your sister’s husband as they prepare to decide who will carve the turkey.
The main goal is to enjoy the time you and your baby spend with a diverse bunch, your family and friends. The best way to make this happen is to plan ahead and consider others’ feelings, whether or not you agree with them.
http://www.emilypost.com/pregnancy-birth-adoption/524-new-mom-etiquette
1 Comment
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Comment by Katherine — December 23, 2010 @ 5:29 pm
Great article! Very helpful tips to prepare for this crazy season.
