Every parent needs newborn hacks to help make their lives easier. When an infant demands your attention 24/7, it can make the holidays a bit overwhelming.
In this article, you will find 10 newborn tips and tricks to help you relax and enjoy the holidays.
1. Learn the Power of the Word No
If you are people-pleasing and have difficulty saying no, it is time to change that. Perhaps you might think, "But it's the holiday season. I'm supposed to be there for others in their time of need or enjoy their company."
Giving back to others is a good thing, especially around the holidays. This is what the holiday season is all about, but if being there for others is causing you stress, you should start saying no more often. Remember caring for a newborn is a 24/7 job, and it's crucial for you to save your energy for your child and yourself.
Another mom newborn hack is to put a time limit on visitors. Explain how you and your partner would like to spend more alone time with your newborn.
Tell them what days they can come over and how long they can stay. Family and friends will understand why you limit their visits and should respect it.
2. Donât Go Overboard When Buying Gifts
The first Christmas for your child is full of excitement. You're going to want to buy everything for the tree to be overflowing with toys, clothes, and baby items. However, it's not necessary to do so. You will be wasting your money by buying toys that your newborn child will not play with.
It's also a good idea to tell your family not to overspend for the holidays. They can opt to buy a gift card for your family as a Christmas present instead. The gift card can be helpful when you need diapers for your newborn, and it's also a less messy present.
3. Have a Heart-to-Heart Talk With Your Partner
Talk with your partner before the holiday season starts, so you know what to expect. You can discuss your plans for the holidays or if they have something else in mind. Despite your desire to host a party together, your partner may wish to do something smaller. You and your partner need to discuss the holiday plans to avoid any future disagreements.
As well, discuss ways your partner can help ease the stress of caring for a newborn during the holiday season. Share your feelings and thoughts if you're the one waking up most of the night or fixing the bottles.
Don't be argumentative during the discussion. You want you and your partner to work together to remember this. The stress of caring for a newborn can be overwhelming. Establish a plan with your partner so both of you can be well-rested during the holiday season.
4. Be Sure to Make Time for Yourself
It might be easy to forget about your self-care routine once youâre a new parent. Once the holidays roll around, itâll become a thing of the past. If this sounds like you, then try to commit one hour every week to yourself.
Let everyone know you plan on committing one hour on this day to do something for yourself to unwind. What are you suppose to do during that one hour?
Anything that will help you slow down and help you recollect yourself. For example, you can read a book, do yoga, or have a glass of wine!
5. Donât Be the Host of the Party This Year
Usually, you host Thanksgiving and Christmas dinner for your extended family every year, but try not to host this year. Instead, allow someone else to handle the stress of planning the perfect holiday dinner.
Plus, do you really want to plan dinner, send invitations, decorate, and cook dinner for 20 people while caring for a newborn? We donât think so, take a note from the big bag of newborn mom hacks, and donât be the host of a party.
6. Boost Your Immunity and Protect Your Health
Not only do you have to worry about Covid but also the looming influenza season. You should boost your immune system and your newborn before the holiday season arrives.
Hereâs how you can protect your health:
- Get enough rest
- Sanitize toys, surfaces, and most things that people touch
- Adults in the home should receive a flu shot
- If possible, be sure your newborn is drinking breast milk
- Make sure your child's shots are up-to-date
- Wash your hands thoroughly for 20 seconds
- Donât smoke
- Eat a healthy diet full of fruits and vegetables
7. Practice Gratitude and Be Mindful
Take some time to remember the true meaning of the holidays when you're feeling stressed and ready to pull your hair out. The holidays are here for love, joy, and being around family.
If it's just you, your partner, and your newborn celebrating the holidays in your home this year, don't be upset and enjoy the moment.
8. Accept the Help When You Need It
Remember, it takes a village to raise a child, and one person canât do it all. If youâre feeling overwhelmed and tired, then speak up to those who are around you. Allow someone to watch your child while you do Christmas shopping, run errands, clean the house, or even when you just want to get some rest.
9. Continue to Exercise During the Holidays
You may want to slack off with exercising during the holiday season, but it's not a good idea for you to do so. If you don't know already, exercise has many benefits for your body and mental health besides making you look good.
Studies have found that exercise helps you reduce stress, boost your mood, and keep your mind sharp. Of course, even with the scientific facts of exercising in front of you, it can still be hard to do it, especially with a newborn.
Keep in mind that exercising does not always have to be you going to the gym. Below are some ways a busy parent can get some exercise during the holiday season.
- Do gentle yoga exercises
- Take a walk around the neighborhood
- Do a dance workout
- Find beginner-friendly exercises on YouTube
- See, your exercise routine does not have to involve you going to the gym. So, instead of bringing your newborn, diaper bag, and stroller out into the cold air, opt to do light exercising at home.
Did you know there are therapeutic benefits to laughing more? People tend to hold a lot of tension within their facial muscles and upper body. Laughing more helps to remove the pressure and melt the stress away.
Laughter also helps lower stress hormones and boost your endorphins, which creates a better mind and mood for the stressed-out parent caring for a newborn. So, when youâre feeling angry during the holiday season, remember to laugh it out.
The Best Newborn Hacks Are to Learn How to Relax and Have Fun
Speaking of laughter, the next best thing for every parent to do during the holiday season is to relax and have fun. You shouldnât spend the holidays worrying about everything, instead, take the time to reset and enjoy your bundle of joy.
What did you think about these newborn hacks? Let us know in the comments below.
