The holiday season is here! Between family gatherings, traveling, holiday parties, shopping, and all the excitement that comes with this time of year, there's a lot happening. And while the holidays can be wonderful, they can also be overwhelming, especially for families with infants and toddlers.
The holidays are full of special moments, but even the littlest family members need time to rest and recharge! Between festive activities, family traditions, and changes in routine, keeping your baby or toddler comfortable and well-rested can help make the season more enjoyable for everyone.
As a postpartum doula, sleep consultant, and parent coach, I always encourage families to enjoy the holidays while remembering that babies and toddlers don't suddenly stop having needs just because it's a special occasion.
Their routines still matter, they still need sleep, and sometimes all the excitement can be a little too much.
So, let's talk about a few practical ways to make the holidays a little easier for everyone.
1. Be Flexible With Routines, But Don't Completely Abandon Them
I talk about routines all the time because they're important, especially for young children. During the holidays, it's completely normal for schedules to look a little different. Maybe bedtime gets pushed back because you're visiting family, or your toddler misses their usual nap because you're traveling.
That's okay. Life happens!
But try to maintain some consistency where you can. If your baby usually naps around a certain time, plan around that when possible. If your toddler has a bedtime routine, bring parts of that routine with you, even if you're staying somewhere else.
Practical tip: Pack familiar sleep items, such as your child's sleep sack, pajamas, or white noise machine. If you're traveling with an infant, make sure they have their own safe sleep space with a firm, flat mattress and no loose bedding. For toddlers, familiar comfort items can help make an unfamiliar environment feel more comfortable.
One late bedtime isn't going to ruin everything, but several days of missed sleep can certainly make things more challenging.
2. Watch for Signs of Overstimulation
The holidays are full of special moments, but even the littlest family members need time to rest and recharge! Between festive activities, family traditions, and changes in routine, keeping your baby or toddler comfortable and well-rested can help make the season more enjoyable for everyone.
Think about everything happening at a holiday gathering. There are people talking, music playing, children running around, bright lights, and family members who are excited to see the baby.
That's a lot for a little one to process.
Infants may become fussy, turn away, cry, or have difficulty settling. Toddlers may become clingy, irritable, unusually active, or have more tantrums than usual.
And sometimes, what looks like a behavior problem is simply a child who has had enough.
Practical tip: Find a quiet space where you can take your child for a break. Maybe that means stepping into another room for a few minutes, going outside for fresh air, or simply holding your baby away from all the excitement.
You don't have to wait until your child is completely overwhelmed before giving them a break.
3. It's Okay to Set Boundaries With Family
The holidays are a wonderful time to create family memories, even with the littlest ones! As you enjoy traditions and celebrations, remember to balance the excitement with your baby or toddler’s need for rest, familiar routines, and a little downtime.
The holidays bring everyone together, and naturally, people are excited to see and hold the baby. But that doesn't mean your child has to be passed around the entire gathering.
If your baby is tired, hungry, uncomfortable, or simply needs you, it's okay to take them back.
And for toddlers, remember that they are still learning about personal space, communication, and social expectations. They shouldn't be forced to hug, kiss, or sit with relatives if they don't want to.
You can encourage them to greet family members without requiring physical affection.
Practical tip: Try saying, "She's getting a little overwhelmed, so we're going to take a break," or "He doesn't want a hug right now, but you can give him a wave or high-five."
You can be respectful toward family members while still respecting your child's needs and boundaries.
4. Plan Ahead for Feeding and Safety
Holiday gatherings often mean different meal schedules, unfamiliar foods, and plenty of distractions.
For infants, try to maintain their usual feeding routine as much as possible. If you're breastfeeding or bottle-feeding, plan for a comfortable place to feed your baby and bring whatever supplies you typically need.
For toddlers, don't be surprised if they're too distracted to sit down for a full meal. Offering familiar foods and snacks throughout the day can help.
Also, remember that holiday gatherings aren't always baby-proofed. Decorations, small ornaments, candles, electrical cords, and foods that pose choking hazards may all be within reach.
Practical tip: Before settling in, take a quick look around the space from your child's perspective. Keep small decorations, choking hazards, hot drinks, and other unsafe items out of reach. Make sure an adult is actively supervising your child, especially around stairs, pets, and crowded areas.
5. Don't Feel Pressured to Do Everything
Here's something I really want parents to remember: You do not have to attend every holiday gathering, stay until the very end, or participate in every tradition.
Sometimes leaving early is the best decision for your family.
Maybe your toddler is exhausted. Maybe your baby hasn't napped well. Maybe you're recovering postpartum and simply don't have the energy for another gathering.
That's okay.
The holidays are supposed to be enjoyable, not another source of stress.
Practical tip: Before attending an event, think about your child's typical schedule and decide what is realistic. Maybe you attend for two hours instead of six. Maybe you skip one gathering altogether. Or maybe you host something smaller at home.
Do what works for your family.
A Final Thought: Enjoy the Holidays, Even When Things Don't Go as Planned
The holidays with little ones won't always look like the picture-perfect moments we see on social media.
There may be missed naps, a toddler crying during family pictures, a baby who wants to be held the entire evening, or a holiday dinner you barely get to eat while it's hot.
And that's okay.
Children are still children, even during the holidays. They don't understand that it's Thanksgiving or Christmas and that everyone wants them to be on their best behavior. They're simply responding to their environment, their emotions, and their needs.
Enjoy the memories, be flexible, maintain the routines that matter, and give yourself and your children a little grace.
The goal isn't a perfect holiday. It's a holiday your family can actually enjoy.
Need Support With Your Little One's Routine?
The holidays can bring new challenges with sleep, behavior, and daily routines. At Family Tree Support Services, we offer sleep consulting and parent coaching to help families navigate these challenges with practical, developmentally appropriate strategies.
Whether you're struggling with bedtime, toddler behavior, or creating a routine that works for your family, we're here to help.
