Navigating the Christmas Period With a Baby

Christmas is just around the corner, bringing cosy moments, family gatherings and lots of excitement. But for many new parents, the festive season can also mean travel, unfamiliar faces, disrupted routines and a very overstimulating environment for little ones.

If you’re celebrating with a baby this year, here are some gentle, realistic ways to navigate the festive period while keeping things calm and enjoyable for everyone.

1. Keep a Sense of Routine (When You Can)

Babies thrive on predictability, so try to keep to your usual rhythms as much as possible.

• Stick to familiar feeding and nap times when it works.

• Keep your bedtime routine the same each night to give your baby an anchor of familiarity. Baby Massage can be fabulous for this.

• Bring along favourite comfort items, blankets, bedtime books, sleeping bags and loveys can make a big difference.

But… remember it’s Christmas, some flexibility is absolutely fine. Your routine won’t unravel forever if bedtime slips by an hour or two or if baby needs extra contact or a few nights in with you. You’ll settle back into normal life once you’re home.

2. Watch Your Baby’s Cues

Festive gatherings usually mean noise, lights, passing the baby around, and lots of stimulation.

Keep an eye on your baby’s sleep and feeding cues, it’s far easier to settle a baby who isn’t overtired or overly hungry.

If you bottle feed, you might prefer to keep feeds to yourself or your partner to limit overwhelm and keep things calm. Practice our seasonal tummy time routine at regular intervals to alleviate any discomfort that may be building “Christmas pudding, steaming hot”.

3. Plan Ahead Where You Can

A little preparation can make a big difference.

Let your hosts know:

• What sleep setup works best (travel cot, quiet corner, darker room)

• Whether you need a highchair

• If you’d appreciate a private or quiet feeding space

Most people are more than happy to help, they just need to know what you need.

4. Don’t Forget You

Christmas can be full-on for parents too.

If you’ve got extra hands around, use them.

• Nap

• Take a quiet moment

• Have a long shower

• Read a few pages of your book

• Enjoy a hot drink while it’s still hot

You deserve rest and joy, too.

5. Focus on Enjoyment Over Perfection

A few days of later bedtimes, held naps or extra feeds won’t undo everything you’ve built. The key is finding a balance that works for you and your baby so that you can relax, make memories and actually enjoy this magical time of year.

Wishing you and your little one a gentle, joyful Christmas season.

Leanne x

Doula Diary