The Big Game is airing Sunday, February 6^th at 5:00 CST.  Most fans will have at least one of these on their agenda: football, greasy food, beer, parties, expensive (and awesome) commercials, and glittery half-time shows. Not exactly baby-friendly fare. First-time parents may feel the need to forgo their annual Big Game Sunday parties, leaving some die-hards in a state of absolute despair. However, it is possible to have a Big Game Sunday party that is fun for you and your guests as well as safe for your baby. Even if you are attending someone else’s Big Game Sunday party with your infant, you can still enjoy yourself while providing a safe, wholesome environment for him.

Hosting a Big Game Party
If you are hosting the party on Big Game Sunday, then you can set up yourself and your baby for success by giving careful thought to his normal schedule. While the game’s kick-off is set, many parties start hours beforehand. Consider starting your party closer to kick-off time so your infant can take his regularly scheduled nap and eat well beforehand. A baby who is well-rested and well-fed before the start of the party is much more likely to enjoy the festivities and won’t have to compete with the sportscasters’ ramblings and touchdown celebrations.

A Sitter Saves the Day!
If you are accustomed to hosting a large, wild bunch, consider scaling back or hiring a sitter.  You may want your new baby to be included or feel more comfortable with him there, but hiring a sitter who can monitor his safety and attend his needs, while you take care of guests and watch the game, will create a significantly more pleasant experience for everyone involved.  If you are on a tight budget, ask a friend who isn’t crazy about football to help out.  You could trade favors.  Tell her you’ll make dinner for her next week or dog-sit for her when she goes out of town again.

Create a Quiet Space
Babies, particularly newborns, are startled easily by loud noises and deep voices.  A room full of testosterone-coated cheers and bellows during the Big Game will likely overwhelm you baby.  Make sure you have a quiet retreat set up in his nursery.  Keep the lights low, turn on some white noise (A static-y radio station is perfect.), and post a “Quiet!” sign on the door.  This small effort will help you or your sitter easily retreat when baby has had enough.

Pump and Dump

If you are breastfeeding your baby, make sure that you pump breast milk in advance of the party. Many women will find that it is more efficient to pump over the course of a few days in order to have several bottles available. Then, they can pump and dump their breast milk during and after an evening of drinks and spicy foods.  If you are eating spicy foods during the party, drinking alcoholic beverages, or think that there is even the slightest possibility of doing so, then you must have breast milk available for your baby. Your baby’s stomach is very delicate, and spicy food can upset it not only during the Big Game Sunday party, but for days afterward. As you know, your baby should not be exposed to alcohol, and when you drink alcohol it is transmitted to your baby through your breast milk.

Most importantly, don’t over-do it!  Your baby will need you after the game is over and the sitter leaves.  Make sure you have the energy and right frame of mind to parent your baby responsibly.  If you have been cooking, cleaning, hosting, drinking, etc., then there’s a really good chance you will be too tired to hear your baby’s cries in the middle of the night.  Ask someone to remind you to slow down and relax, so you don’t wear yourself out.