By Maude Carmel
Baby’s first Christmas is a magical milestone for new parents, as well as for the entire family, who looks forward to welcoming the new bundle of joy!
In addition to a marathon of pictures to immortalize these moments of pure bliss, a few special touches on your part can help make the young family’s Christmas that much sweeter.
Here are a few simple ways to ensure mommy and baby are as comfortable as can be during the festivities, as well as some super useful gifts that are sure to please.
Christmas at home, with mother and baby
Having a first baby is a life-changing event for new parents and their loved ones. Do you usually stretch out cocktail hour until about 9 p.m.? The odds are this won’t gel well with the young parents’ new reality.
Here are some tips on how to prepare for the big day and adapt your schedule for the evening to ensure everyone has a great time (including mama, who will no doubt be in the recliner feeding baby most of the night!).
1. Get the house ready
- Make sure the tree is safely secured and remove any ornaments that may be tempting to little ones from the bottom of the tree.
- Keep breakable decorations out of the reach of crawling babies.
- Have a room or spot in your home ready for changing baby’s diaper or putting them down in their playpen.
- Dim the lights to create a calmer ambiance for baby.
2. Adapt your celebrations
- Move up the party’s start time. You could even ask the new mom what time would be best suited to baby’s routine.
- Limit the number of guests to reduce stress for mother and babe.
- Memories are so important, especially when it comes to baby’s first Christmas. Why not plan a photo session (and do it as early as possible to ensure baby is still awake!)?
- Start dinner earlier. You can have the cocktails while opening the gifts, for example.
- If mother prefers staying on the couch or going into another room to feed baby, prepare a dish for her and bring it to her, or offer to take baby once she’s done feeding so she can go sit at the table and enjoy her meal.
- Do not take offense if mother and baby decide to leave early. A baby’s sleep routine is not to be disturbed.
- Have leftover food? Prepare doggy bags for the new parents to bring home—with little time or energy to cook, this gift will go a long way.
What to give to a new mom
The first weeks of baby’s life can take a toll on parents, especially on the new mom. Between feedings, diaper changes, caring for baby, and the laundry, she is often overwhelmed, with no time for herself.
Give her quality products that bring her comfort in the roller-coaster that is motherhood. Spoil her with creams and body products specially created with new moms in mind. From products to facilitate breastfeeding to
reparative creams (effective for both mother and baby), several local companies have developed a range of organic products with delicate, enveloping formulas. Essential oils, like a soothing, purifying
eucalyptus mist, make for a great stocking stuffer.
And for baby?
Never mind the mountain of gifts for baby; opt for organic, local products made by people who put baby’s wellbeing first. Several family businesses with inspiring backgrounds are behind these creations intended to meet baby’s needs ever-so-gently. Why not make a gift basket filled with products to pamper, soothe, and care for baby? Think, for example, of
massage oil that strengthens the bond between mommy and baby, a
protective cream for baby’s sensitive skin, and an
organic olive oil soap, perfect for bath time. An assortment of top-quality, natural products that both mother and baby are sure to love!
