Top Tips for Keeping Newborns Healthy During the Holidays
With the holidays quickly approaching, there is no doubt adding an infant to the mix will increase your already-heightened holiday anxiety.
Before I share my top tips for keeping a newborn healthy during the holiday season – I’m going to need you to take a few deep breaths. Like, yoga deep. Slowly inhale until your lungs can’t intake anymore, slowly exhale until your cavity is completely void of air.
Now remember that breathing technique every time you start to feel anxious about the holidays and during the holiday mayhem. It’s a total mental reset that provides a little clarity in your head space.
Let’s get to it!
1. Stay up-to-date on vaccinations.
This might seem self-explanatory, but don’t dismiss it. Keeping your infant current on all of their newborn vaccines should be your top priority, not just for the holidays. Following the proper newborn immunization schedule as set by your pediatrician starts the immunity building process.
In the same vein, make sure your family and family members who might be in contact with baby are up-to-date on vaccines as well (if possible.) Flu shots are typically free and can easily be administered at your local drug store.
I can already hear the cries “last time I got a flu shot, I got the flu.” As someone who used to sell the influenza vaccine for a travel medicine company, I call tell you the flu vaccine is an inactivated virus. It might lower immunity briefly. If you get the flu within 2 weeks of getting the vaccine you either already had the virus in you or the shot has not built enough immunity to be effective. (It can take up to 2 weeks for the shot to be effective.)
To clarify, the nasal spray contains a weakened “live attenuated” flu virus. But don’t let that deter you if you opt for the nasal spray.
Keeping your family and baby current on immunizations is an easy way to plan for wellness.
2. Make hand-washing a priority.
Newborn life is synonymous with hand-washing already, but you and family members can never be too diligent when it comes to hand-washing this holiday season. Don’t be afraid to ask your family members if they could wash their hands before handling your baby. Newborns are at higher risk for more serious complications from illness due to their immature immune system. You are the voice for your baby and your baby demands people handle them with the utmost care and respect. It is not too much to ask for someone to wash their hands before handling.
It might be uncomfortable for a minute when you ask, but people who aren’t around newborns regularly genuinely forget the protocol. No one should be offended that you are taking precautions to keep baby healthy.
3. Avoid taking baby to public places with you.
Although this is typically the season for running around grabbing gifts, ingredients, and decorations, try to spare your newborn the trip. Enlist your partner, a family member, neighbor, or someone in your support system to babysit if you absolutely have to make a trip out that someone can’t make for you. (Ahem, Amazon.) Everyone will give you grace this season if you couldn’t make it out to grab that special Trader Joe’s Turkey Bone Broth. Prepare early with a list of to-dos and start delegating!
Avoiding public places with baby will spare them the cold and germs. If you have to make a trip out, try to go when the store opens or on a weekday when stores are less crowded. And if you do go out, keep well-intentioned strangers a safe distance from baby’s face. People can’t resist getting close or even touching the face of a sweet little newborn. If you have a cover for your stroller or carrier, use it!
4. Ask for support.
Don’t try to do it all. This is one of those times in life when people expect you to ask for help. Delegate chores and errands whenever possible. Try to think of what you need or want ahead of time to keep the stress at bay.
Maybe you implement new traditions this season by picking a name out of a hat and only buy a gift for THAT family member. We’ve done that in my family, and it’s been a great way to help everyone stay on a budget and really focus on one person. I’ve found it to be a more enjoyable gift-giving experience! Bonus if your recipient knows you’re the gift-giver and can provide ideas. It’s a win-win!
5. Say NO.
Don’t be afraid to turn things down or say no to certain obligations, even if you’re always responsible for that “thing.” Everyone will understand if you don’t make your award-winning pumpkin cheesecake this year.
This probably isn’t the year to be making 4 stops in 1 day to see family. See if you can make arrangements to spread the holiday visitations to multiple days this year or offer to host the holidays if you’re feeling up to it. Even if you offer to host, it can be pot luck style where family or friends bring the party to you.
It’s a lot of responsibility to take care of a newborn, but don’t forget to take care of yourself too. Don’t stretch yourself too thin. Get yourself, and your family, used to the idea that the holidays this year might need a little editing to accommodate the little one joining the party. Because remember, in order to keep baby healthy, you also need to keep yourself healthy.
Petite Sleep Tip: Breastfeeding is a great way to build your baby’s immune system and pass antibodies to your baby. Breast milk is proven to help fight diseases and ward off common illnesses. If you can breastfeed, do it. If you are not a breastfeeding mama, don’t worry. Stay consistent in the steps provided above.
A note for all mamas: Manage your expectations, be honest and upfront with family and friends to manage their expectations, and above all… grace. Give it, accept it, say it. Cheers!
Newborn packages are available on our Services Page. We’ll even throw in our Newborn Survival Guide!
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