Navigating Christmas with a New Baby - Realistic Tips for the Festive Season

Hello everyone! If you’re reading this, chances are you’re preparing for your first Christmas as a mother, or maybe you’re deep in that postpartum haze, wondering how to navigate the celebrations while still working out feeding and sleep. Today I want to share some practical tips and kind reminders for getting through this busy time with your little one, so you can feel held, supported, and maybe just a little less overwhelmed.

Listen to Episode 99. of Held In Motherhood Navigating Christmas with a New Baby - Realistic Tips for the Festive Season here.

Stay Flexible

Let’s be real: babies love to throw a plan out the window! No matter what plans you make for Christmas Day, it really helps to have a backup. Be flexible. Prepare for different situations, but try not to stress if everything doesn’t go exactly to plan. If you’ve listened to me before, you’ll know routines aren’t really my thing for little babies, and the festive season is definitely not the time to get hung up on them.

Remember, you are your baby’s safe person, so even if things get busy, if you’re there and attuned, you can still support them. I always find it helps to look at your expectations in this period and maybe lower the bar a bit. I love Christmas, I love cooking and decorating, but that first Christmas with my son (he was about six months old), I absolutely lowered the bar. I thought about what traditions mattered most to me and my family, and let the rest go. If you’re someone who’s usually juggling a lot during the festive period, take a moment with your partner to consider what’s actually important for you this year.

Talk About Your Expectations

It can be so helpful to discuss your plans and expectations with your family before the big day. For many of you, you might not have even ventured much out of the house yet, so all those Christmas events can feel huge and a bit daunting. Your baby might be feeding often, or just adjusting to new environments and faces. Even for older babies or toddlers, it can still be a lot. Take the pressure off where you can, focus on what matters most to you, and communicate with your loved ones about what you need.

Remember, it’s not just Christmas, it’s also your postpartum journey. Maybe you decide to only go to lunch, not stay for dinner, or even spend the whole day at home this year. It doesn’t have to look the same as years before, and that’s absolutely okay.

Navigating Opinions (and Unsolicited Advice!)

The festive season seem to bring out all the opinions - especially from family and friends about how you “should” do things. Every year, this comes up with so many of my clients. Honestly, you’ll get advice no matter what you do: feeding, sleep, routines... you name it. Particularly from older generations, remember they were often told quite different things than we know now. You might hear, “Don’t hold them too much, they’ll get used to it,” or “Don’t feed to sleep, you’ll make a rod for your own back.” Just, no.

It’s all about coming back to your and your partner’s values. What’s actually important for your family? If you anticipate tricky conversations, it can help to have a few phrases ready. I find something like, “Oh, my midwife told me this is best,” or, “Thanks for your perspective, but we’ve found what works for us,” can help close down unwanted advice. And one of my top tips: put your baby in the carrier before you walk into the event. This makes it much less likely people will just grab for cuddles and can help settle your baby, too.

Don’t Miss Feeds: Mastitis and Feeding Cues

One reason we see increased mastitis around Christmas is that mums accidentally miss or delay feeds while busy with family or travelling between events. Your feeding rhythm can get thrown off in different environments, so keep an eye on those feeding cues. If your breasts feel full, or it’s been longer than usual since a feed, offer one. Keeping that milk flowing helps reduce mastitis risk, and factoring in extra stops for feeds if you’re travelling longer distances is important too. Babies shouldn’t be in car seats for more than two hours without a break, so plan for that during your festive travels.

If you’re not comfortable feeding in front of others yet, don’t stress. It’s absolutely fine to go find a quiet spot. Most places are happy to accommodate, especially if you just ask.

Alcohol and Breastfeeding

Lots of mums wonder about alcohol and breastfeeding during the holidays, so let’s clear that up. While no alcohol is recommended in pregnancy, it’s different with breastfeeding. Having a glass of wine with lunch? The alcohol in your milk reflects what’s in your blood, and it’s time (not pumping) that clears it. One standard drink, with food, will generally clear from your milk in about two hours. If baby wants a feed before two hours and you haven’t got expressed milk, don’t worry. Research shows that low levels of alcohol haven’t shown adverse effects in babies under 12 months. The general recommendation is if you’re safe to drive, you’re likely safe to breastfeed. The Feed Safe app from the Australian Breastfeeding Association can be helpful when timing feeds and alcoholic drinks. It's also important to note if you do plan to have an alcoholic drink - make sure you aren't bed sharing.

Keeping Cool in Hot Weather

Christmas in Australia generally means hot weather. Babies under six months don’t need extra water, even when it’s hot - they get all their hydration from milk or formula. Your baby might want to feed more often, and have shorter sessions, and that’s normal. Keep yourself hydrated too!

On those sweaty, sticky days, feeding side lying can be a lifesaver because it reduces skin to skin contact and gives you a chance for a little rest. Sometimes a thin muslin cloth between you and your baby helps if you're seated and feeding in cradle hold, so you both don't become a sweaty mess!

It's just one day...

And lastly, remember Christmas is just one day of the year. There will be many more with your little one. Lower the expectations, focus on what’s meaningful to you and your new family, and don’t strive for perfection. Like birth, it doesn’t have to be perfect to be a positive experience.

However you celebrate, we hope you have a wonderful Christmas and a relaxed start to the new year with your family!

If you're experiencing feeding or sleep challenges and would like some support you can book an appointment with Hannah and our team here.

We offer in-home support in Adelaide, and tele-health consultations for anyone outside our area. We’re passionate about helping mums feel confident and supported on their journey!