DS birthday party with newborn

[CrowOnTheBroom]

Hi everyone. My ds will be 4 about a month after my due date. Unless it arrives very early the baby will probably be around 3 weeks old.
DS is very excited about his birthday and I'm really torn about how to celebrate. I'd happily have a small family gathering at the house, but he's been to so many class parties now he wants to invite all his friends, which I really can't face in my home with a tiny baby.
Would a soft play party be a realistic option? There are a few round here which do food so we'd just have to turn up with a cake and party bags. It seems like an easier (if more expensive) option, but is it? Has anyone been in a similar situation? Or offer any alternatives? Thanks

I would do soft play. You just turn up with the cake, some will even provide the party bags. The kids will have a ball in the soft play and the staff and other parents can help round them up for the food. You just have to hold the baby (though plenty of parents will help you with that as well!) Easiest party we ever did.

Soft play - zero stress, turn up enjoy, return home with a happy child. No issues worrying about the weather / what games to play. Parents can chat amongst themselves, purchase coffees etc and they serve the food. Best money spent.

I was in a similar situation. Breastfeeding a 4 week old and did a party for 30 children in a hall!! what a fecking idiot

Actually went v well, DH and I did all the food, I did all the games/music and DH walked around with sleeping DD.

It is doable and DS had a fab party.

However, if you have more money and can afford it, take the stress out and have someone else organise it i.e soft play.

Our best party ever was when we were flush a few years ago, we paid for a disco and an entertainer to do the party. Best day ever. We just enjoyed the party with the kids, no stress.

Good luck with everything x

Another vote for soft play from me! We didn't do this and had it at home with a week old DD2 for DD1's 3rd bday. All subsequent parties have been at soft play

Just let the soft play place do the lot of you can afford it, party bags, invitations and theme/balloons is usually not much more and get a supermarket cake of your DSs fave character/superhero.

During the party just keep baby in pram or sling and drink tea as for a 4th birthday other parents will stick around and can help take care of any problems.

Then go home to your calm, non-trashed home!

Thanks everyone, you've pretty much confirmed soft play for me!

I was due 2 weeks before DD's 4th birthday and we decided to have it a month earlier (the party not the baby!).

It was at home and despite the fact I could barely stand for more that a few minutes, it went pretty smoothly. PIL came to help though so don't think we could have done it without them.

The baby turned up 1.5 weeks late so it was lucky we did that. Don't know what we would have done if it had been prem.

Soft play although I'd check about food some places might not let u take your own food