The holidays are magical, but if we’re honest, they’re also… A LOT. Traveling with a baby, feeding a baby, managing family opinions on the baby, navigating allergens with a baby, smiling when said baby gets ANOTHER noisy maraca toy. It’s honestly like an Olympic sport without the medals.
Here are 9 tips to stay sane, keep your baby fed, and maintain your dignity at the holiday table.
1. Pack a “Feeding Survival Kit”
Include: spoon, cup, wipes, bib, safe snacks, Globowl jars, familiar cups or any other tools.
2. Keep Top Allergens in Rotation
Traveling is not the time to pause allergen exposure. Keep your routine.
3. Prep a Reliable Baby-Friendly Dish
You’ll always have one food you trust and baby enjoys.
4. Know the Difference Between Gagging and Choking
You’ll field fewer scary stares from relatives.
5. Give Relatives a Script
Try: “We’re following current pediatric guidelines from the AAP, USDA, NIH, FDA and the American Academy of Allergy Asthma and Immunology.”
6. Walk Away From BLW Debates
Not today, Aunt Susan.
7. Deconstruct ANY Holiday Dish
Take what you’re eating and break it into safe baby bites.
8. Accept the Chaos
Holiday meals won't be perfect. The whole holiday season won't be perfect. Nothing ever is (as evidenced by holiday photo outtakes per below).
9. Give Yourself Grace
Your baby doesn’t need flawless feeding. They need you.
Closing Thought:
This season can be joyful and delicious - even with a baby - and you’re doing an amazing job navigating it all.
