Holidays can be a stressful time for many people. If you’re a new mother, or are late into your pregnancy, we imagine that it may be an even more stressful time for you! With longer to-do lists, people to shop for, party invitations to respond to, on top of caring for a brand new baby that your relatives may be dying to meet, you may find yourself having to juggle many things at once. Here 5 tips for a stress-free holiday season:
1. Set expectations. You may not be able to do many of things you did in previous years, and you shouldn’t expect yourself to. Don’t allow yourself to feel bad about not being able to host a party, or not be able to make it to as many gatherings as you did in previous years. Being a new mother and being pregnant can be a very demanding time for you, and you need to allow yourself the time and space to have a flexible schedule.
2. Decide on the amount of time you will spend at an event. If you do intend to be at certain functions, agree with your partner beforehand about the time you will need to leave, and find a polite way to let the host know as well. This will help you to take care of yourself and ensure that you don’t tire yourself out too much, which is common during the holiday season!
3. Holiday party dresses! Are you nursing? Having the right party outfit can help you feel comfortable and at ease, and enjoy yourself thoroughly at your holiday parties. With our dresses, no one will be able to tell that they are made for nursing mothers! Nursing cut outs are discreetly placed, and you will still be able to shine as your stylish, sassy self.
4. Decide if the event is appropriate for baby to make an appearance. Sometimes, an event may be too overstimulating for your baby. Decide if it’ll be better to find a babysitter to care for baby for an hour or two instead!
5. Interacting with your family with grace. Inevitably, there will be comments and questions about your new motherhood, and relatives will be excited to share tips and advice. Sometimes, there may be criticism too. It’s possible to handle all of these with grace and tact. Above all, stay calm, and remember that you will only be seeing some of these people once or twice a year! Here are some tips that can help you handle criticism, specifically when it comes to breastfeeding.
We hope that these reminders will help you to stay calm and relaxed during the holiday season! Pregnancy and new motherhood are precious times of your life, and should be savored. Happy Holidays to you and yours!
