Festive ideas & tips for baby and bump this winter

Christmas, some say, is the most magical time of the year and for those expecting or with a new baby in the family, it really is. The festive season is a time for making memories, gathering with friends and family and sharing special moments with those closest to you. So here we’ve compiled all the best ideas to get in on the seasonal fun and ways to capture those memories.

There are many things to consider for baby’s first Christmas and we’ve got the check-list of all lists to make sure you’re not missing a trick.

• Finding the most adorable baby Christmas outfit. For newborns consider a festive themed baby sleepsuit. For older babies, cute festive jumpers or cardigans make lovely layers that can be removed if baby gets too hot. Got a few kids in your brood? Why not consider matching pyjamas? These make for adorable photographs you’ll cherish for years. If you’re on a budget most supermarkets do cute festive themed baby clothes, otherwise check out thrifting app Vinted. Otherwise Next and John Lewis have adorable Christmas themed clothes for all ages. 
• Taking baby to see the Christmas lights in your local area would be a fun day out for all, they will love the sparkling lights. Wrap baby up well for the chilly weather and wait for a dry day. Head out when baby isn’t due a nap and let them gaze up at the twinkly lights - they will be mesmerised. 
• Read Christmas themed books and listen to Christmas themed music. Music and reading are brilliant ways to develop your little baby, it’s also a lovely way to bond. You can borrow books from your local library and Spotify has lots of Christmas themed playlists for children.
• If baby is at weaning stage when it’s their first Christmas they can enjoy seasonal flavours too. Avoid giving them anything with added salt and sugar. Opt for seasonal fruits and veggies such as cauliflower, leeks, parsnips, apples and pears. They can also enjoy festive spices such as cinnamon, nutmeg and ginger.  
• Capturing memories to last a lifetime. Organise an afternoon or morning to capture a few Christmas themed photos of your baby - put into a frame and these can double up as gifts for grandparents or use to create your own personalised Christmas cards to send to close friends and family.

Baby Christmas photoshoot ideas:

• If baby is a bit older and happy to dress-up, a Christmas themed costume can look adorable.
• For newborns, capture them asleep and add a little santa hat.
• Set baby down on a festive blanket against the Christmas tree with the fairy lights on and lights dimmed for that hygge vibe. When in doubt head to Pinterest for some cute ideas. Here are a few other photoshoot ideas we love.

Images from Pinterest

Popular Baby Toys For Christmas

Baby’s first stocking stuffers: bathtime toy, clip-on book for the pram, teething toy, rattle, soft Christmas themed plushie, festive bib, sensory toy.

Popular baby toys for Babies 0-6 months: for babies under 6 months you want to look for toys to help their physical development as well as toys that stimulate and engage them. Rattles, play gyms with toys to grasp and pull, rattles, crinkly soft books that make sounds, textured toys are all great gift ideas. If they’re closer to 6 months look for toys they can push and pull such as carts, wagons and cars. Want a more detailed list of which toys are best for 0-6 months? We wrote a whole blog on it here.

Popular baby toys for babies 6-12 months: from 6 months up your baby is much more tactile and active, they’re also starting to recognise objects and faces. Sensory activity panels, stacking toys, pop up books or boxes, textured toys and lock and key activities are VERY useful in helping to develop your little one’s memory, functional skills, and motor development. Books are also helpful for developing communication, creativity and vocabulary. Train sets, wagons or anything which helps to develop your baby’s fine motor skills (through pushing and pulling) are also great options to give a 6-12 month old baby. Click here for the full breakdown of which toys are great for 6-12 months and how they help their development. 

Festive Pregnancy Tips

Depending on where you are in your pregnancy, the festive period can be a great time to relax and enjoy being pregnant but for some struggling with morning sickness or heaviness and indigestion it can be a struggle. Here are our top tips when it comes to festive munching:

• Suffering with morning sickness? Ginger is your best friend and is also on theme for Christmas. Try gingerbread, ginger flavoured biscuits and ginger based teas. Snacking often can also help curve that annoying queasy feeling - try to opt for healthy snacks if you can.
• Suffering from indigestion? Try eating smaller and more frequent meals. Sit up after you’ve eaten to aid digestion. Try peppermint tea to soothe your tummy. Avoid eating 3 hours before you go to bed and try sleeping with your head, chest and shoulders propped up. If you’re really suffering, talk to your GP who can prescribe suitable indigestion remedies. 
• It’s annoying while pregnant that there are many foods on the no-go list at Christmas, including most cheeses on the cheeseboard. But here’s a check-list of foods to avoid so you can organise other delicious alternatives so you’re not missing out: 
• Pasteurised or unpasteurised soft blue cheeses, such as danish blue, gorgonzola and roquefort
• Pasteurised or unpasteurised mould-ripened soft cheeses with a white coating on the outside, such as brie, camembert and chèvre
• Game meats such as goose, partridge or pheasant (if you’re fancy enough to have this at Christmas 🙂) 
• Cold cured meats such as prosciutto, salami, chorizo
• All types of pâté
• Smoked salmon, gravlax and oysters

Safe Holiday Activities For Pregnant Mums

Now we’ve been through the check-list of things you want to avoid in pregnancy here are some fun, festive ideas of ways you can enjoy the season:

• There are many festive alternatives to alcohol. Set up a hot chocolate bar. For those cosy nights in, treat yourself to something warm and delicious. Or make your own mulled apple juice for a true taste of Christmas. Order your favourite festive drink when out and about but ask for decaf.
• Get friends or family round for a Christmas movie night where you can put your feet up and connect with loved ones without even leaving the house. Setup a Christmas themed grazing station with all your favourite pregnancy friendly treats. If you’re into crafting why not set up a crafting activity for everyone to join in on.
• If you love Christmas shopping head out to do your Christmas shopping earlier in the day, you want to avoid the crowds. Aim to get there for when the shops open. Post lunchtime is the busiest time for shopping. With a little careful planning you can avoid the stress but enjoy the festive shopping. Christmas markets that run later in the evening are also a great way to get a bit of Christmas shopping done once the crowds have calmed down a bit.
• Ice skating and fairground rides are not a safe option for mums-to-be but a Christmas themed theatre, ballet or orchestra production is just the ticket to get you into the swing of the festivities. 
• Consider a festive babymoon. If you have an uncomplicated pregnancy, a short festive trip could be a great way for you and your partner to enjoy each other's company before baby lands. Most airlines will request a letter from your midwife or doctor if you’re over 28 weeks pregnant and flying can also be uncomfortable. Consider booking a babymoon if you’re between 4-6 months pregnant.

Whether you’re expecting or you’re getting ready for baby’s first Christmas we hope these ideas and tips will help you make the most of the festive season.