Advice for new mums to get through Christmas

The items new mums should pack if you’re going away for Christmas

With last years’ restrictions meaning that overnight stays with family were off the cards, this year is likely to be the first Christmas since 2019 that families can come together to celebrate.

For some new mums, this may mean this is the first time they have spent nights away from home and away from baby’s normal routine. With the stress of remembering to pack everything for baby, presents, food contributions and much more, it is understandable that mum may forget key items for herself.

To help support new mums this festive season, breastfeeding experts and maternal health brand, Lansinoh, has rounded up the must-pack items for mums’ Christmas bag.

For mum

Toiletries

Maternal toiletries are one of the most important things to remember. Clothing can be washed wherever you’re staying, and standard toiletries such as deodorant, shampoo and conditioner can always be borrowed. But with shops closed over the Christmas period, if mum forgets her maternity products, they might be hard to replace.

Things to remember include breast pads, nipple cream and sanitary towels. And don’t forget your toothbrush!

Feeding

If you’re planning to enjoy a celebratory tipple over the Christmas period, make sure you pack all your supplies for expressing and storing your breastmilk. Lansinoh recommends expressing breastmilk in advance of an alcoholic drink, followed by missing the first breastfeed after the beverage, and feeding baby the expressed milk instead.

Remember to pack your breast pump, breastmilk storage bags, and feeding bottles, as well as sterilising equipment, and of course those all-important muslin squares!

More advice about drinking over the festive period while breastfeeding is available here.

For baby

Clothing

As well as the usual clothing (plus spares!), remember to pack extra layers, including hats, mittens and coats, to help keep baby warm in case you go out for a stroll to burn off that Christmas dinner.

Toiletries

Whatever you do, don’t forget the nappies, wipes and nappy cream! It is also worth packing some over the counter medication and a thermometer for your baby should you need them.

Additional items

Make sure to bring some familiar items with you – your baby’s favourite soft toys, blankets, story books, and so on.

Getting through Christmas with a new-born

In addition to knowing what to pack, there are a few things you can do to help you and your little one get through the festivities as smoothly as possible:

•          Try to keep pre-bedtime routines the same – while you may need to adjust bedtimes slightly during the Christmas period, it’s important to keep the bedtime routine itself the same. Be it bath-time before bed, bed-time cuddles, or a story-book, keeping the same routine you have at home will help to calm baby ready to sleep.

•          But know that you may have to stray from sleep routine a little – while consistency is key for baby’s routine, it’s not always possible to stick to this rigidly throughout the Christmas period. There may be aspects of baby’s routine that need some tweaking, but as long as these are only small tweaks, rather than sudden, drastic changes, you shouldn’t worry too much.

•          Watch for signs of tiredness – some babies can get tired more quickly during the Christmas period, thanks to the number of extra visitors and general hustle and bustle. Make sure to keep an eye out for your baby’s usual signs of tiredness and adjust their sleeping times accordingly.