The holiday season brings joy and togetherness, but it can also disrupt your baby’s feeding routine. Family gatherings, travel, and festive celebrations can make it challenging for parents to stick to established schedules. However, by planning ahead and being adaptable, you can manage feeding times with ease. This guide is filled with straightforward tips to help you navigate holiday feeding routines confidently, so your family can enjoy the season stress-free.
First Off:
Understanding the Importance of Routine
A regular feeding routine is crucial for your baby's growth and development. Consistency helps infants feel secure and supported. Research even shows that babies with predictable routines often sleep better and have improved overall well-being. However, the holidays can disrupt this balance, creating challenges for both baby and parents.
A reliable feeding schedule also provides parents with a sense of control during the holiday chaos. Knowing when your baby is due for a meal makes it easier to organize family activities and manage expectations for gatherings and outings.
Create a Flexible Routine
While maintaining a feeding schedule is essential, flexibility is equally important during the holidays. Life is unpredictable this time of year, and sticking strictly to a set routine can lead to stress.
Start by taking note of your baby’s usual feeding times. As you plan for travel or events, work to incorporate these times into your itinerary. If you need to adjust the schedule, aim to try to keep the feeding intervals similar. For instance, if your baby typically feeds every three hours, do your best to maintain that rhythm, even if you shift the exact timing slightly.
Pack Feeding Essentials
Traveling or attending events can make you forget your usual feeding supplies, leading to unplanned stress. To stay prepared, create a list of essentials to pack in advance.
Here are some key items to include:
Bottles: Always pack extra bottles, just in case.
Formula or breast milk: Bring enough to stick to your baby’s feeding routine plus some extra to account for delays.
Feeding utensils: Don’t forget spoons, bibs, and a burp cloth.
Portable high chair or booster seat: This ensures your baby has a comfortable spot to eat anywhere.
Snacks: Bring along baby-friendly snacks to keep hunger at bay between meals.
By having these essentials packed, you can make feeding times smoother, regardless of your location.
Grab your complete checklist here!
Communicate with Family and Friends
Family gatherings during the holidays often create a lively atmosphere where everyone wants a piece of your baby’s attention and time. Before the celebrations begin, it’s beneficial to communicate your baby's feeding needs and schedule to family members. Let them know your baby’s feeding schedule and when the best times are for meals.
This proactive approach to communication helps set expectations and ensures that your baby’s needs come first. Most family members will appreciate your guidance and are usually willing and happy to accommodate your baby’s feeding routine. This awareness creates a supportive environment that eases your stress, reducing stress for parents, baby, and all!.
& if you run into family members or friends who provide a little Holiday Spice 🌶
You know, the one who has to say SOMETHING about how you feed your baby, how much your baby weighs, how baby sleeps, how baby xyzfds....
Well, just remember, you truly cannot win.
The mama who is rocking it out breastfeeding, will likely get judgement for literally breastfeeding in public..
& if you aren’t in public, you’ve escaped to a back room and everyone thinks you’re being antisocial. 🙃
The mama who pulled out the formula to mix in the bottle? The judgement comes searing in. These extended relatives may or may not have ANY idea why formula is used. It doesn’t seem to matter the why though… the look on their faces says enough.. 💔
BLW? …. “That poor baby will choke on pieces like that!”
Puree? … “I thought blw was the thing to do.. your kiddo will be behind ya know”
It literally never ends. and... Literally none of this is true. And you don’t have to justify your life choices to Aunt Jean and Uncle Tom, who have only seen baby 3 times this year anyways🙃
You are feeding your baby in the way you are for a reason. And nobody needs further explanation. Your child is getting the nutrition needed whether you provide breastmilk, formula, a combo, puréed, BLW foods. And as long as your doctor and your child are happy, you are truly truly rocking it ❤️👏🏼🤩
If you need a few ideas on what to say in these scenarios, take a peek at my recent Reel on IG!
Seek Out Quiet Spaces
The hustle and bustle of holiday gatherings can be overwhelming for your baby, especially during feeding times. If you feel the environment is too noisy or busy, seek out a quieter space to feed your baby. A calm atmosphere not only makes feeding easier but helps your baby stay relaxed too.
When traveling, plan activities to include moments where you can step away for feedings as you'd like. Find a cozy corner or step outside to enjoy some fresh air. This brief scenery change can make feeding more manageable & enjoyable for you both. You can step away with just baby or grab a close family member/friend & have a chat during feeding time, just make sure to get comfy!
Maintain Your Normal Feeding Practices
During the holidays, strive to keep your usual feeding practices in place. If your baby prefers a particular bottle or feeding position, try to maintain those familiar habits. Familiarity and consistency provides comfort, especially in new situations.
For breastfeeding mothers, continue to find private spaces to feed as you usually would. Remind family members to respect these moments, reinforcing their importance in your baby’s routine.
Incorporate Feeding into Holiday Traditions
Why not turn feeding into a special family tradition? Use mealtime as an opportunity to deepen family connections. Involve family members in the feeding process, such as having grandparents help prepare meals or siblings pass out baby-friendly snacks. You can have grandma feed at mealtime or big cousin feed baby via bottle while watching a family favorite holiday film. Engaging the family in feeding can create joyful moments and teach healthy eating habits to your baby. These experiences strengthen family bonds while also making feeding feel less like a chore and more like a shared activity.
Momentary break for:
5 Baby Friendly Recipes for Thanksgiving:
Butternut Squash & Sweet Potato Mash
Ingredients: ½ cup butternut squash, ½ cup sweet potato, breast milk/formula or water for blending
Peel, dice, and steam the squash and sweet potato until soft. Blend with a little liquid for a creamy, nutrient-packed mash that’s gentle on tiny tummies.
Cranberry & Apple Oatmeal
Ingredients: ½ cup rolled oats, ¼ apple (finely chopped), a few cranberries, water or milk of choice
Simmer oats, apple, and cranberries in water or milk until soft. Remove cranberries after cooking if needed, then mash to the desired consistency. This hearty oatmeal adds a bit of tartness and is perfect for breakfast or a warm snack.
Sweet Potato & Carrot Mash
Ingredients: 1 small sweet potato, 1 carrot, water or formula
Peel, chop, and steam sweet potato and carrot until tender, then blend until smooth. This mash is rich in beta-carotene for eye and immune health.
Thanksgiving Veggie Medley
Ingredients: 1/2 cup steamed green beans, 1/2 cup steamed carrots, 1/2 cup mashed potatoes
Instructions: Steam the green beans and carrots until tender. For older babies, dice the vegetables into small pieces instead of pureeing. Optionally, combine with mashed potatoes for a festive touch. This medley is a great way to offer a variety of flavors and textures while providing essential vitamins and fiber for your baby’s development.
Pumpkin Oatmeal
Ingredients: 1/4 cup cooked pumpkin puree (unsweetened), 1/4 cup baby oatmeal cereal or quick oats, 1/2 cup water, breast milk, or formula
Prepare the oatmeal as directed and stir in the pumpkin puree until combined. This warm and comforting dish provides fiber, vitamin A, and healthy fats to support your baby’s growth and digestion.
Apple & Pear Sauce
Ingredients: 1 apple, peeled and chopped, 1 pear, peeled and chopped, A splash of water
Peel & chop the apple and pear, then simmer them in a saucepan with a splash of water until soft, about 10–15 minutes. Mash or puree until smooth. This naturally sweet sauce is packed with vitamins and fiber to support your baby’s digestive health.
Prioritize Self-Care
Care for your baby is paramount, but don't forget about your own needs during the holiday rush. Focus on staying hydrated, eating nutritious meals, and carving out time for yourself. Remember, a relaxed parent can lead to a happier and more content baby. Don't be afraid to ask for help! By taking care of yourself, you’re better equipped to remain calm and composed during feeding times, which helps your baby feel secure and at ease.
Finding Balance This Holiday Season
Navigating holiday feeding routines can feel overwhelming, but with preparation and adaptability, you can enjoy the season while meeting your baby’s needs. Establishing a routine, packing essentials, communicating with loved ones, and focusing on your well-being all contribute to a joyful holiday experience.
The holidays are about making memories and enjoying precious time together. Embrace this exciting time, remain flexible, and celebrate the joy of the season knowing that both you and your baby will benefit.
Wishing you and your loved ones a happy and safe upcoming holiday!!
❤❤
Thank you for your support and love in this space! It means more to me than you will ever know.
I truly enjoy sharing this information and I hope you find the information provided valuable. If you do find this information helpful, I kindly ask that you consider sharing - via social media, word of mouth, email, etc. I would love to help support as many out there as I can! <3
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Jessica Enderle, R.D., L.D.
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