Guess Who’s Number One This Holiday Season?
Your baby will be the apple of everyone’s eye and the star of many Instagram photos, but actually - you are the number one priority this holiday season. It’s important to lay down some boundaries and set aside the need to please everyone. Communicate your needs to your partner or a trusted family member, so that they can help you hold your ground on the things that are important to you like nap schedules, quiet time and who gets to hold baby.
“If you’re traveling back home for the holidays, it can feel less like a vacation when there is a flurry of old faces who are all trying to see you. Don’t feel like you have to compromise time with your family to be with friends.”
– Madi, VP of Business Development & Strategic Relationships and mom of a 2 year old & 6 month old
Let Others Help You
If you’re spending the holidays with family and friends, make the most of it! You’re likely to find yourself in the company of people who love babysitting. Sneak in a date night with your partner or enjoy a few leisurely walks sans stroller. Spending a morning at the local café followed by a mani/pedi is also a treat, made all the sweeter if someone who loves your baby nearly as much as you is looking after them.
“Keep things simple and delegate”
– Emily, VP Marketing
Alone Time with Baby
For families who travel for the holidays, carve out some downtime for you and your baby. It can be overwhelming for both adults and children to always be on-demand. Excitable cousins, doting uncles or cooing grandparents can overstimulate babies, making it harder for them to feed, sleep and feel calm.
“End each big festive meal with a family walk. This is a great opportunity to catch up and bond whilst also helping you feel better and digest all the food you just ate.”
– Madi, VP of Business Development & Strategic Relationships and mom of a 2 year old & 6 month old
Maintain Routine
The festive season may fill our hearts, but it can also scramble any sense of routine. Routines form the foundation blocks of our day, giving us a sense of confidence and order. For adults, routine can feel stifling, but we also need routine to be goal-directed and efficient. Kids thrive on routine because they need a sense of security and predictability.
Some tips for maintaining routine:
- Draw up a schedule and block out times for rest, play, and events.
- Pick the most important gatherings - you don’t need to attend everything.
- Let kids know the schedule for each day.
- Stay flexible!
“Don't be afraid to keep it simple and cozy if you don't feel up to going all out. A night in with a fun movie and hot cocoa may be just what is needed!”
– Ariel, Director of Community Management
Acknowledge Sadness
The festive season triggers a lot of joy but also big feelings, memories, or old wounds. New parents, especially mothers, are more vulnerable due to hormone changes, exhaustion and stress, which all lower our emotional threshold. While it’s tempting to put on a big smile, it’s also important to acknowledge and honor the big feelings below the surface. Morning walks, journaling and listening to good music can help. Coloring or painting with your kids might also fill your heart. If you see a therapist, they may be taking a break over the holiday season so make sure you have a back-up support plan – mental health apps may help you fill the gap.
“Remember to do some breathwork or meditation before the events!”
- Bekah, Accountant & mom to 3 older kids
Embrace New Traditions and Rituals
When everything is in flux, it may help to take control by creating new family traditions. There’s beauty in old traditions, but it is perfectly okay to repackage them for young family life or creating something new. Don't forget how important the process is too – creating something together is possibly the greatest gift of all.
Some ideas include:
- Writing a new holiday song and singing it together.
- Upgrading your decorations or creating your own upcycled trinkets.
- Having afternoon tea instead of a full-blown lunch.
“Practice gratitude and being present – it's the greatest gift you can teach your children.”
- Alexis, Director of Product & Brand Integrity
Think About New Ways of Gifting
New babies and growing families can change your spending priorities. Think about thoughtful gestures that convey love but cost less. Consider creative gifting ideas:
- Kids are the ultimate innovators and artists. They can create beautiful crafts and paintings, which can be framed or printed on aprons and mugs.
- Choose a charity to support and let your loved ones know that you have donated in their honor.
- Organize a gift exchange with your friends.
- Create “experience vouchers” and gift them to grandparents, aunts and uncles, and so forth. Cute examples include “Ice-cream date”, “Kids spa day”, “Storytime and S’mores” and so on.
“Spend on experiences, not things. Little ones won’t remember the toys nor will you but the experiences, like a weekend away or a music class membership, will be a forever memory.”
- Felicia, New mom & Director of Marketing and Events
Embrace Flexibility in Feeding
The holiday season evokes memories of favorite flavors and aromas, but for now the only flavor baby wants is their milk. Whether you breastfeed or bottle-feed, you may find yourself less present at this year’s celebration. This is understandable and you shouldn’t be apologizing for it. Some forward-planning can make things a little smoother:
- If you prefer some privacy when breastfeeding but don’t want to miss any of the fun, pack a light scarf or cover-up that you can use.
- Come prepared with all your feeding gear – a portable milk warmer is great, but a mug of hot water can do the job too. Pop some bags of expressed breastmilk in the fridge or have pre-measured formula portions in tow.
- Maybe you have been gifted an Emulait bottle this year? No time like the present to try it out! The emulait bottle is the ultimate support for breastfeeding moms – it gives you a break and gives baby the closest-possible feeding experience to what they are used to.
"With all the holiday buzz, we can forget to be in the moment. Cherish the little moments of connection that feeding brings, they are a gift in and of themselves.”
- Tamar, Copywriter
A Quick Word on Breastfeeding and Alcohol
The CDC and other health authorities suggest that not drinking alcohol is the safest option for breastfeeding moms. For those who would like to have a celebratory drink, it is generally considered safe to consume up to one standard drink at least two hours before breastfeeding. Having pre-expressed milk on hand is the simplest way to cover your baby’s feed. If you express milk immediately after drinking alcohol, you should dispose of the milk. Always remember that alcohol can impair judgement – ask someone to look after your baby if you aren’t feeling too good.
In Summary
Making conscious choices about how to get through the holiday season with a new baby or growing family will help you enjoy your time together. This can help you avoid feelings of overwhelm. Take a deep breath and step into the holiday embrace – we have your back and are sending all the blessings your way.
