Family gatherings and the new baby.

So, you normally go to your mom’s small house for Christmas where all the extended relatives gather, get a little tipsy, have an extended lunch,  play monopoly,  watch The Sound of Music and have a snooze… This year however,  you have a new baby! You rock up with your 3 suitcases,  gargantuan stroller,  playpen,  baby chair,  can’t drink because you're breastfeeding,  and can’t shush the little one who has colic and is out of her routine, and who proceeds to do an explosive poo while sitting on Uncle Jeff’s lap and projectile vomits on your mom’s new sofa! Talk about throwing a spanner in the works!

Maybe your holidays don’t look anything like this,  maybe you are even adventurous enough to be hosting yourself this year,  but you get the picture:  Life with a new baby is different,  and as such your new addition will affect your family gatherings this year and years to come,  however you celebrate them.  

Regardless of whose house you are going to,  or if others are coming to you,  it might be wise to set some expectations before the holidays to help alleviate any tensions or miscommunications.  For example,  if you will be staying over at a friend or relative’s,  warn that you do now come with quite a lot of stuff,  and do they have room for that? Also, warn if baby tends to wake up with a squawk every three hours through the night (or day). If you are breastfeeding,  gauge if family are comfortable with you nursing in public, or if there is somewhere private you can easily go to do so.  While it may be stressful to worry about what others may think of the new situation,  prior communication is always helpful. Most people do understand what it is like having a new baby and will get over the squawking and relish in the wonder of having a cute little baby to coo over!

Here’s to a happy and peaceful holiday for all!