How to Survive the Holiday Season as a New Mom

The holidays are the best time to be among friends and family enjoying lots of festive celebrations and toms of delicious food. Nonetheless, it can also be very tasking physically and emotionally particularly for new moms. There are a number of things you can do to handle the stress that comes with the holidays and the joy of a new bundle of responsibility. 

Embrace the chaos!

Yes, it’s that time of year. Don’t try to huddle in a corner and hide. Embrace it for what it is, the most magical and ‘busiest’ time of the year. It’s also about connecting with loved ones. Some we only see once a year, use the time to talk about old memories. Things you did as a child, before baby. It’s one way to connect with the inner child/person you were before pregnancy and baby. How did you see yourself back then to now. Hold onto those memories now that you’re a new mama.

Host at your house

This definitely depends on your mood, how far along postpartum you are and just if you want to be bothered. If you decide to, there are many benefits to having the holiday-get-together at your own place. If getting together with close friends and family is something you looed forward to every year and you want want to miss out on the festivities then having them come to you is a great option. When you are in your own space, you're likely to feel more comfortable and at ease. Not to mention, your baby will feel the same way!

You won't have to pack a bag full of baby and breastfeeding essentials. You'll be able to check yourself out every once in a while to regroup and recover. The best part about hosting in your own home, is that you can put the baby down at normal nap and bed times. It doesn't get any better than that.

Let them have the baby, tis the season

As a new mama, it’s the only time of the year when you’ll have so many hands ready to hold the baby. Friends and family will not have enough of the baby and you can make the most out of this. Take the time to leave the baby with the grandparents or friends visiting and go for the longest walk ever. How about date night with dad if you’re a single mama date yourself. Spend a couple hours on ‘me’ time totally pampering yourself. No holds barred, give yourself everything.

Its ok to say ‘NO’

The one thing about family is they have a lot to say. And when they’re around we tend to revert or give in to them. Keep your boundaries! Remember they are only around for what, once a year if that. You’re a new mama and you won’t know everything. So, they’ll be tons of suggestions to go around. If it doesn’t sound like something you would do say so. Or tell them you will take it under consideration. Don’t say YES to everything. Rome wasn’t built in a day and so wasn’t Motherhood.

Its also ok to say “YES”  
Did your friends just ask if you needed anything before coming to visit you and the new baby?? Say YES!  Tell them you are in desperate need of your favorite meal from your favorite restaurant. You wouldn't hesitate to bring your friend dinner, so let them do it for YOU!  

Slow Down
Take it slow – or even better take a nap! We tend to get wrapped up in the season and want to make sure everything is and looks perfect. You don’t need to – if you recently gave birth - days, weeks or months ago. You not expected to present this all glowing perfect front. After all you’re taking care of yourself and your new babe. It’s the perfect time to take it slow. If you’re still in the trenches, tune into your body and listen to what it's telling you – are you still sore? Rest. Has your lochia (postpartum bleeding) changed? That could be your body telling you you're doing too much, too soon. Get off your feet for a while and let your body rest. You've done hard work!

Plan ahead

Are you breast/chest/body feeding? Make sure to have a quiet, distraction-free area you can go if you're needing some privacy as you and baby continue to figure things out together.  Exclusively Pumping? If you’re visiting friends or family, ask them for a private space and give yourself plenty of time to pump- and stick to your schedule to avoid holiday mastitis!  Formula feeding? Plan ahead by making sure you have all the supplies you'll need while you're away (bottles, formula, nipples, etc.). Pack the diaper bag the night before your trip. Bring lots of wipes and extra clothes because babies love blowouts, especially when you're away from home. Remember if visitors are coming over – covering up while breastfeeding is your choice not theirs.

Don’t lose your mind if you’re eating more than usual

With the holidays, shopping, friends, fun, there’s food and tons of it. Don’t go crazy if you find you’re reaching for one too many punch bowls or slices of cake. Enjoy, eat to your hearts content. But you know yourself don’t overdo it. Listen to your gut, if it feels like too much maybe it is. While family and friends are over, if your routine is the gym, or a walk or at home gym equipment. Spend some time doing whatever you need to do to burn off the extra calories. But don’t beat yourself up for eating too much. Motherhood is stressful enough take everything is stride, care of today. If not today, do it another day.

Create memories

With the holidays there are a lot of things you would like to forget or remember in equal measure. Nothing beats creating memories to last a life time. You’ve master the selfie, now master yourself. Snap a few pics and create new memories of your family. Thanksgiving and/or Christmas is that time of year where you may have your whole family line under one room. Make the most of it. There are a few pics I have of my grandma, my mom, myself and my daughter. Now that my grandma has passed I go back and look through those photos. It’s the best feeling in the world. I’m so happy I did it.

Buy yourself a gift

As women we’ll naturally take care of everyone and forget ourselves. If you do nothing else for yourself this holiday season - buy yourself a gift. And when you buy it, wrap it too. Put your gift under the tree. That way everyone has a gift to open on Christmas day even you. There’s no greater feeling than opening a gift, it’s the kid in all of us. Be that kid again, especially at Christmas time.