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Christmas

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Original poster

Christmas with a newborn

29 replies

Iheartcrunchiebars · 26/09/2013 10:00

I'm due in 3 weeks. We've invited 8 people over for Christmas dinner ( they are all 'helpers' and will love being given jobs).

Will this be impossible with a 2 month old baby?

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Original poster
Iheartcrunchiebars · 26/09/2013 10:01

I'd love to hear other people's experiences of christmas with a young baby.

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PaleHousewifeOfCumbriaCounty · 26/09/2013 10:01

Sounds great to me. You can sit and snuggle baby, who will be dressed in a slightly cruel elf babygro, which everyone else does all the work.

Original poster
Iheartcrunchiebars · 26/09/2013 10:06

I already have the baby grow. And the Sparkely cardigan.....and a christmas pudding hat!

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TessTackle · 26/09/2013 10:06

I think if you delegate well (Or get it all from somewhere like m&s so it only needs heating) you can have a lovely relaxed day.

An idea is to send and email/text in the weeks before telling everyone what you'd like done and thanking them for making the baby's first Christmas easier for you all :)

Mumraathenoisylion · 26/09/2013 10:07

We spent christmas by ourselves last year with 2wo dd and 4yo older dc but that is because when I invite people round I have to do everything (cooking control freak).

I think as long as they will help and you have a good plan of who is doing what and when then it should be fine.

Christmas with a newborn is lovely! I found it a bit sore, very sleepy, quiet and cuddly. We watched lots of christmas films, dh cooked and I lay on the sofa cuddling nb most of the day when she wasn't in her Moses basket.

Lots of fuzzy twinkly light memories from it.

MadeOfStarDust · 26/09/2013 10:10

We went to MIL with our 2 week old - everything done for me.... I got told to "sit and conserve my energy for the baby" .....

my MIL gives VERY good advice..... Grin and I was sensible lazy enough to take it....

OddFrog · 26/09/2013 10:11

No problem at all, just be super organised way ahead of time and have lists for everything. I did this last year with newborn DD, who was about two weeks old. In truth, I did very little on the day. It was lovely. By two months, you'll be an expert. Don't worry about baby, mine slept most of the day and a few years ago DS was three months on Christmas Day and spent most of it fast asleep. He woke for a feed just as we were about to eat and for about an hour when we were exchanging gifts. Although I was up very late with him that evening.

Good luck for the birth day. Thanks

Original poster
Iheartcrunchiebars · 26/09/2013 10:21

Thanks everyone. I've bought all my presents so I don't need to do that. Will have to make everything as we don't have an m&s but have got a hostess trolly so I reckon I can cook everything quite leisurely and keep it warm.

Mums made christmas puddings and I thought I would just lay everything out and let people help themselves.

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ceeveebee · 26/09/2013 10:24

I had the inlaws round on Christmas day when my twins were 6 weeks old.

We bought absolutely everything from M&S food.

Went for a walk with the pram in the morning (it was a glorious sunny day) and then came back and wrestled babies all afternoon.

We ate our dinner at about 9pm if I recall...
No it will be fine, especially if everyone is a helper.

TheYamiOfYawn · 26/09/2013 10:30

At 8 weeks there is a reasonable chance that you will be feeding the baby pretty much constantly all day, so I'd consider planning the day so that pretty much everything is delegated and your job is co-ordinating everything from the sofa. DC1 was 8 weeks old at Christmas, and I couldn't have done a proper Christmas dinner (was with in-laws so all was fine). With DC2, it would have been fine. So be prepared for the possibility of feeding problems/colic etc which might mean you are stuck to the baby.

Bumpsadaisie · 26/09/2013 10:38

Depends on the baby!

If you get an "easy" one who just feeds and sleeps and will go for three hours between each feed, who only needs about 15 mins for each feed, and who is happy to be put down after he is fed and changed, then its a doddle.

On the other hand you might get a baby who screams if you try to put him down so you have to carry him round all the time, who wants to feed every 90 mins to 2 hours round the clock, who feeds for 45 mins each time, who has reflux or colic and is pain and screams because of it. If you have an older toddler that would complete the nightmare scenario, ha ha Grin

At least with plenty of people in the house, whatever kind of baby you have, there will be lots of people to do all the jobs and hold baby so you get a break.

Good luck - its a wonderful rollercoaster ride!

Original poster
Iheartcrunchiebars · 26/09/2013 11:04

I'm hoping for the first option please!!

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crazykat · 26/09/2013 11:37

I had Christmas with a two week old baby DD, 2yo DS1, 3yo DD1 and 8yo DSD. Was very busy but I loved it. DH helped with the dinner while I told him exactly what to do. It was extra nice as It worked out that DH had a month off work between paternity leave and christmas holiday.

It was lovely, one of the main things I remember is coming home from MLU with DD2, she was only four hours old and the house was all decorated for Christmas. I spent most of the next two weeks feeding her by the light from the Christmas tree.

coffeeandcream · 26/09/2013 12:42

Christmas Day last year my DS was 8 days old. I'd been hit by the baby blues and DH and I were knackered.

We had the day at PIL so there was no running around after anyone thankfully.

However, it was quite a tricky day as everyone wanted to hold DS who got very fed up with being passed around, we had a hellish night that night!

Also the great grandparents just couldn't make adjustments for us, they are so set in their ways insisting on eating at a set time and ploughing through the whole enormous dinner without taking a break. DS just cried and screamed wanting to be fed and held, so DH and I had to tag team dinner. At one point we had to take him out, and they all just carried on the meal (and finished it) without us! It was not how I imagined our first Christmas to be Sad

So I would make it very clear to everyone that the day might get a bit overwhelming for you and for them to allow for you to take so time out. Also to ask them to go with the flow and that some traditions might have to go out the window.

We were also given the obligatory silly elf outfits for DS, but as a gift on the day, so he didn't get to wear them! Presents like that need to be given in advance so they can be used on the day!

I hope you have a lovely Christmas though, eat lots of Cake and enjoy how your DC will be fascinated by the twinkly tree lights!

curiousgeorgie · 26/09/2013 12:47

My DD1 was 7 weeks old at Christmas and it was totally fine.

She slept in a bouncy chair pretty much the whole day, waking long enough to look cute and be cuddled by relatives who were desperate to sit with her..

Everyone did everything for us, brilliant memories and probably my favourite ever Christmas (so far!)

However, Christmas shopping after a c section before I realised she hated the pram on a busy busy Saturday is probably something I wouldn't repeat in a hurry!! Grin

ChipAndSpud · 26/09/2013 12:49

As long as you plan to delegate food preparation, cooking and washing up it will be lovely!

DS was born Xmas Eve so we didn't get home til around 2pm on Xmas Day! We gazed at DS, opened presents and had sausages and mash for dinner :-)

MokuMoku · 26/09/2013 12:50

I'm due on 23rd December so there is a possibility of a very newborn here.

I think as long as you take a laid back approach you'll be fine but you may need to disappear for a nap if you are tired.

Madamecastafiore · 26/09/2013 12:51

DC3 will be 5 weeks at Christmas and we have decided to do nothing as I am having an section mid November.

DHs family did come over during the summer holidays and did naff all so we have decided that under no circumstances will we have anyone here who expects to be waited on.

DHs brother says things like 'Any chance of a cuppa' and looks aghast when you point him in the general direction of the kettle and the rest of them think passing their empty plate is the sum of what they have to do to help out.

Sound like a right moaner don't I.

Hope you all have a lovely day with your new bundles.

maillotjaune · 26/09/2013 12:57

Well it was my turn for family to come here nearly 4 years ago. DS3 was 6 weeks and as long as you can cook a huge roast with a baby attached to you I'd recommend itGrin

Actually it was fine but very very tiring and I spent most of Boxing Day in bed!

MostlyLovingLurchers · 26/09/2013 13:01

Ds was only a few weeks old for his first Christmas, and was of the second type of Bumpsadasie's options! He was bfeeding non-stop, had colic and would only sleep on me. I was still in a lot of discomfort with a birth injury as well. Ds did keep quiet long enough for us to shovel down some dinner, but only just. We were too tired to have a drink with it. DM and MIL kept phoning to see if he liked his presents - it was another three days before we got round to opening presents!

We did spend a few days after with PIL, and it wasn't great to be honest. They really wanted us there but struggled to change their routines to accommodate a new born, like coffeeandcream has said. I found it easier at home on our own.

I think if you are relaxed about people helping and can just go with the flow it will be fine. For all the chaos it was probably our most special Christmas ever. I'm sure it will be magical for you!

Artandco · 26/09/2013 14:02

You can cook and freeze most things before and go for easy options. Ie just get aunt Bessie's Yorkshires, sausages already wrapped in bacon etc, then everyone can just throw in the oven as needed. If you can get a pre prepared turkey/ duck/ whatever so that just goes in oven also. M and s, Waitrose and local butchers usually do something

ringaringarosy · 27/09/2013 11:36

its totally possible!i had a 6 week old last year and this year i am due the 19th!

my dh did everything really,men can cook too!

NomDeClavier · 27/09/2013 11:50

DC2 is due Christmas Eve, DH's entire family are coming over. I have already said that I will be doing absolutely nothing Wink

Original poster
Iheartcrunchiebars · 27/09/2013 11:57

DH has done christmas dinner before. It was fab. But I hate washing up so want to save him for that and baby entertaining. To be honest I think there will be such a scrum for baby cuddling that I'll have plenty of time on the day.

Am making christmas cake today, just need to get as much done in advance. I'm so excited!

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SlatternismyMiddlename · 27/09/2013 20:40

My DD was born on the 23rd Dec. it was great, I was discharged on Christmas Day and as no one expected me to be home all arrangements were hastily rearranged. It was all a bit slap dash but nobody cared. There is nothing like a baby to make you realise that you have to be flexible.

Best of luck. Enjoy your baby.