Preparing for Holiday Gatherings with Baby

• When travelling, follow these tips to make sure Baby is rested, protected, and comfortable.

• Adjust Baby’s nap schedule as needed and recognize hunger and full cues to manage feeding times effectively during holiday gatherings.

• Keep Baby safe in non-baby-proofed environments, follow safe sleep guidelines, and communicate with family about Baby's needs.

It’s the most wonderful time of the year…right? The holiday season can be full of family gatherings and good food, but it can also be a lot for you and your little one. Have no fear! This checklist is all you need to navigate celebrations and support Baby.

Prepare for Baby’s Sleep:

Make time for naps.

• How many naps Baby needs depends on their age.

• You can try waking your child a little earlier in the morning if you need to adjust their nap schedule around family events that day.

Recognize your baby’s sleep cues.

Look for signs your little one needs some rest! Some sleep cues to be in tune with are:

• Staring

• Looking away

• Yawning

• Getting fussy or upset

• Rubbing eyes

• Red or flushed eyebrows

• Pulling at ears

• Losing interest

Know if Baby will need to sleep at the gathering.

• Bring the clothing they sleep in, like a swaddle or sleep sack.

• Bring a travel crib if the host doesn’t have one.

• Make sure Baby’s setup follows the ABCs of safe sleep.

Prepare for Baby’s Feedings:

Learn Baby’s hungry and full cues.

Baby may be feeding at slightly different times or eating something a little different than usual, so pay attention to their hungry or full cues!

Baby’s hunger cues:

• Licking or smacking lips

• Sucking on hand

• Bringing hands to mouth

• Sticking tongue out

• Opening mouth

• Turning head toward your hand

• Rooting (moving the jaw and mouth or head in search of a feeding source)

• Fussiness or increased movement

Baby’s full cues:

• Closing their mouth

• Seeming distracted or no longer interested in feeding

• Turning their head away from the breast or bottle

• Relaxing their hands, arms, or legs

• Slowing down or stopping sucking

• Appearing drowsy or starting to fall asleep

Plan for breastfeeding or formula feeding on the go.

• Bring anything you’d need, such as a pump and privacy sling for breastfeeding or formula and bottles for formula feeding.

• If you are a breastfeeding parent, make sure to drink water and eat enough! Breastfeeding is hard work, so go easy on yourself and make sure to nourish your body.

If Baby has started solids, plan for foods they will eat.

• You can bring some precooked or no-cook foods for Baby, like mashed squash, rice cereal, or a banana.

• You can also talk to the host about providing food for Baby, but remember to avoid foods that are high in salt or sugar, have honey in them, are difficult to chew, or could pose a choking risk.

• Know the foods to limit or avoid for Baby in the first year.

Prepare for Baby’s Health and Safety:

Remember, not everyone’s house is baby-proofed.

If Baby is moving on their own, it’s important to keep a close eye on them at someone else’s home.

• Consider bringing a baby gate if Baby will be around stairs in the host’s home.

• Let the host know to move breakable or unsafe items to a high place so Baby can’t get to them.

• Ask if there will be any pets around.

Follow safe sleep rules if Baby’s sleeping somewhere else.

If Baby isn’t sleeping in their usual crib, make sure that in their new setup they can be:

• Alone: Baby should never share a bed with parents, and shouldn’t have anything in their crib.

• On their back.

• In a crib or bassinet.

Bring hand sanitizer or encourage hand washing.

So many people are going to want to hold Baby! To keep away germs, provide hand sanitizer to family members, or request that anyone who interacts with Baby washes their hands first.

Ask Baby’s healthcare provider about preparing.

Especially if Baby was in the NICU or was born premature, there may be some special considerations for their health and safety.

Support Baby’s development on the go.

Download the FREE Pathways.org Baby Milestones App to track Baby’s milestones, log Tummy Time, and find new activities every day!

Other Tips to Prepare for the Holidays:

Know when Baby is alert and ready to play.

When Baby is in the quiet alert state, this is the best time to play and socialize with family! During this state, Baby should:

• Be quiet and calm

• Enjoy being cuddled and touched

• Have their eyes open

• Seem aware of what’s happening around them

Talk to family about the holidays.

Navigating the holidays can be easier if family is helping out! Talk to the host or other loved ones about what Baby’s needs are or what you may need help with. You can ask things like:

• What time will we gather, eat, or open gifts?

• What is the set-up of the location?

• Is there a quiet room where Baby can sleep?

• Is there food Baby can eat?

Keep Baby warm in the cold weather.

In the cold weather, do these things to keep Baby warm and comfortable:

• Dress Baby in layers.

• Bring and wear hats, gloves, mittens, and socks.

• Keep their carrier inside so it’s warm when you get ready to go.

• Remove Baby’s winter coat when going in their car seat; instead, put their jacket or a blanket over their buckled harness for a safer way to keep them warm.

Find more tips to keep Baby warm here!

Take care of yourself!

The holidays are often exhausting to begin with, but it takes even more energy when there’s a baby! Remember that you need rest, too.

Enjoy the season with your little one!

Download our free checklist to make holiday prep a little easier!