Navigating the Holidays with a Newborn
As hard as it is to believe, 2021 has almost come to a close, and the holidays are here! This will be the first year many families have gathered since the pandemic started. While celebrating the holidays with your loved ones can be fun, it can also be stressful, especially postpartum. Just in the knick of time, we are here to talk about navigating the holidays with a newborn.
Consider having someone else host
While hosting Thanksgiving and Christmas can be a fun tradition, it is a stressful and huge task to do postpartum! If someone else in your family can host during your baby’s first year of life, it may make the holidays easier for your family. If you are hosting, you may want to consider ordering in from a local restaurant or setting up your holiday meals potluck style.
Set family boundaries ahead of time
Setting boundaries around holidays can be tricky! Many families love the family holiday time typically spent together, and family traditions can run deep. It may not work best for you to attend every holiday event during your first year postpartum. Honest conversations with your family and partner ahead of time about what’s realistic for your baby and yourself can help to ensure everyone is on board with your holiday needs.
Make sure the timing works for you
Does your family typically celebrate Thanksgiving dinner at 6 pm, but your newborn goes to bed at 7 pm? That may not work for you this year! If you are planning to attend family celebrations and timing doesn’t work for your family, consider shifting plans to earlier or later in the day during the planning stages. This can help ensure that your family can attend without the stress of trying to move your family’s routine!
Give yourself permission to leave when your baby and you are ready
Flexibility is essential with a newborn, and the holidays are no different. Your original plans for the day may not go as planned, and that is okay! If you are halfway through dinner and your baby is crying and ready to go home, that is okay! Try and give yourself permission ahead of time to put yourself and your baby first this holiday season. After all, you just birthed a new human into the world!
Try and remain flexible
As with most things postpartum, flexibility is key. Try to remember that your plans may change and that you may not be as capable as you usually are to handle the holidays this year! That is okay; there are many years of holidays to come. Thank you for reading this week’s blog “managing the holidays with a newborn” and happy holidays! For more helpful tips on all things pregnancy, postpartum, and parenthood visit our weekly blog.
