| Having a new baby in the family is always a | | | | and comfort her. |
| joyous experience, especially around the holidays | | | | Tip #3 - Avoid Overstimulation |
| and your baby's first Christmas is an experience | | | | Of course everyone wants to hold the baby, talk |
| you will remember the rest of your life. | | | | to her and make her laugh. And then there are all |
| Unfortunately young babies and lots of | | | | those bright new (and sometimes noisy) toys |
| excitement and "strangers" (from the baby's point | | | | that baby got for Christmas. All this excitement |
| of view) don't always mix. You end up with a | | | | can quickly add to overstimulation in a young |
| crying exhausted and over stimulated baby | | | | baby. The result is usually a cranky, tired and |
| instead of holding a relaxed bundle of joy in your | | | | unhappy child. Limit the toys you let baby play |
| arms while you sip hot cocoa under the tree if | | | | with and be sure your relatives spend some time |
| you're not careful. Use the 5 tips below to help | | | | just calmly and quietly holding the baby. |
| make sure both you and your baby will enjoy this | | | | |
| first Christmas together. | | | | Tip #4 - Give Baby A Break |
| Tip #1 - Don't Over Do It | | | | Since we're on the topic... to avoid over stimulating |
| Over course everyone wants to experience your | | | | your infant, be sure to give her plenty of breaks |
| baby's first Christmas. The result is usually either | | | | throughout the day. Find a quiet room and snuggle |
| (a) you spent most of the day driving from one | | | | or feed her. Both of your will appreciate the |
| relative's house to the next, or (b) your entire | | | | break from the sometimes hectic family |
| extended family shows up on your doorstep. | | | | festivities. When it's time for baby to nap, make |
| Either way you end up with a Christmas that's | | | | sure she isn't disturbed and gets the rest she |
| exhausting to both you and the baby. Instead, | | | | needs. |
| ask aunts and uncles to understand that you can't | | | | Tip #5 - Relax Mom |
| do all this much this Christmas and offer to see | | | | Young children are very tuned into how Mom |
| them on another day instead. Then relax and | | | | feels. The best way to keep your baby calm is |
| enjoy an intimate Family Christmas with the new | | | | for you to relax. When things start to get |
| baby. | | | | stressful, take a deep breath and calm yourself. |
| Tip #2 - Keep A Soothing Toys / Blanky Around | | | | The tips above about not over scheduling and |
| Whether there are new people the baby isn't | | | | taking breaks will work well to keep you relaxed |
| used to in your house, or you are taking her to a | | | | as well. |
| new surrounding, keep her comfortable by | | | | Keep these suggestions in mind and you, baby |
| wrapping her in a favorite blanky and keeping a | | | | and the rest of the family will be able to enjoy a |
| familiar toy she likes around. Of course everyone | | | | wonderful Christmas they are sure to remember |
| wants to hold the new baby and as long as baby | | | | for years to come ... well maybe not the baby, |
| is fine with it go for it. Stay close by though in | | | | but you get the idea. |
| case your baby needs Mom's touch to calm down | | | | |