Your baby’s first Christmas is an experience you will remember the rest of your life. Unfortunately young babies and lots of thrill and unfamiliar visitors do not always mix. You wind up with a howling and over stimulated infant as opposed to holding a tranquil bundle of delight in your arms if you’re not careful.
Obviously everybody wants to be part of your baby’s first Christmas. The upshot is more often than not that you spent most of the day visiting various relatives, or your entire extended family shows up on your doorstep. The last thing you want is ending up with a Christmas that’s exhausting to both you and the baby. Instead, ask relatives to understand that you can’t do so many things this Christmas and suggest seeing them on a different day instead. Then relax and have a comfy Family Christmas with the new baby.
Babies are normally most comfortable in a familiar situation and unfortunately Christmas is not a year round event. The baby will probably see a lot of new people in the house, or maybe is taken to visit other places. It is not strange at all that your baby is not overjoyed at the idea of staying in the arms of yet another person. Keep favorite blankies or familiar toys close by to comfort her.
Of course there will be lots of new toys and other Christmas presents for the baby, often in bright colors and sometimes noisy. Too much excitement, however, can easily add to overstimulation, which in turn will make your baby irritable and tired. Do not give your baby too many new toys at the same time, but give her time to explore one while you keep the rest for other days to come.
Babies are very receptive to mom’s feelings. The best method to keep your baby calm is for you to relax. When things start to get stressful, take a deep breath and calm yourself. Take a break every now and then from chaotic family reunions and find a quiet room to feed your baby and take a nap. When you and your baby are rested you can fully enjoy your baby’s first Christmas.
Furthermore, do not forget to save mementos from your baby’s first Christmas, take lots of pictures or video’s and write down the memorable details of the celebration. Buy your baby’s first Christmas ornament and make it a tradition of buying a new Christmas ornament each year.