Surviving Thanksgiving with A Newborn
For many, the holidays bring festive alterations to schedules. Lots of family, food, and once a year events are stressful enough when you’re an adult. Add a new baby to the mix, and trying to juggle the schedules of both your new baby and the holiday - especially if you’re hosting or traveling - can be downright exhausting.
Unfortunately, you can’t - or don’t want to - cancel Thanksgiving.
What you can do is set yourself up for success - and say no as often as possible.
Eat Dinner Early
If you’re a guest, or you’re hosting, consider having others do the cooking. Instead of passing the baby around to family, rest up on the couch and eat an early meal. Taking many of these traditions off your plate will help you be able to fill your plate with good foods; and have the energy to excuse yourself and care for your newborn if the witching hour hits.
Have An Escape Plan
One of the hardest things to do with family is say no, you can’t have that additional glass of wine, or no, you can’t sit around and chat more. Even when your baby is sleeping, you need your sleep as well to be a functioning, healing parent. Your family, above all others, should understand your needs and baby’s! If you’re local, maybe traveling just for the day, or staying overnight and leaving in the morning, instead of turning the journey into a four day long staycation, might be best.
When You Hit The Sack, Make Sure It’s Restful Sleep
Consider staying with someone with calm, supportive amenities. Maybe staying in a suite in a hotel would be easier. Or, in your own home, making sure that you have everything you need to drown out the sounds downstairs and really focus on your own sleep needs.
Accept That It Might Be Different
One of the hardest things to give up is a familiar, procedural holiday. If you love Thanksgiving, it might be tough to not be able to participate the way you normally do, or to travel, stay up, or even cook the same side dishes. Having a newborn is a season of life, and this year you have the best addition to the Thanksgiving table!
Follow Your Baby’s Cues
Being passed from second cousin to great grandparent as a tiny baby might not seem overstimulating, but it can sometimes end poorly. An overstimulated baby starts to exert cues, such as turning his head, moving more vigorously, or fussing. Try your best to head this off at the pass so your baby will be easier to calm for a good nights’ sleep, to feed well, and let you and your partner get some rest as well!
With a few laughs and a lot of ‘let go’, you’ll sail through the holiday. And next year, while not entirely back to normal, will feel like one you have just as much to be thankful for!
Comments