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Baby’s First Holiday Season: How to Survive the Chaos and Savor the Magic

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Baby’s First Holiday Season: How to Survive the Chaos and Savor the Magic

Written by Connor Bringas on February 09, 2023.

They said the holidays would feel more magical with a baby—they just forgot to mention the lack of sleep, the endless laundry, and the inevitable travel nap disasters. Your baby’s first holiday season—from Thanksgiving turkey to the New Year’s countdown—is a beautiful, chaotic, and utterly unforgettable ride.

Forget the pressure of perfect family photos and elaborate traditions. This is your guide to not just surviving but actually savoring this special time. It’s about finding the joy in the mess, making memories that matter, and giving yourself a whole lot of grace. Let's navigate this season with less stress and more snuggles.

Table of Contents

Embrace the Chaos (and Lower the Bar)
Make the Travel Easier (Hint: Hands-Free Helps)
Say Yes to Photos, No to Pressure
Create One Tiny Tradition (That’s Actually Sustainable)
Give Yourself Grace (and Maybe a Nap)
Frequently Asked Questions

Embrace the Chaos (and Lower the Bar)

Your baby's first holiday season is not the time to be a superhero. Your little one is the main event, and their needs come first. This means it’s okay if things don’t go according to plan.

Protect the Nap Schedule: A well-rested baby is a happy baby—and leads to happy parents! Don't be afraid to leave a party early or find a quiet room for a nap. Your family will understand.
Say No Gracefully: You don't have to attend every single gathering. It’s okay to decline invitations that feel too overwhelming. Protecting your peace is the best gift you can give your new family.
Let Go of Perfection: The house might be messy, the cookies might be store-bought, and your holiday outfit might have spit-up on it. That’s real life, and it’s beautiful.

Make the Travel Easier (Hint: Hands-Free Helps)

Traveling with a baby for the holidays can feel like a military operation. Whether you’re flying across the country or hitting the road, smart gear can make all the difference.

The Tushbaby Hip Seat Carrier is your holiday travel MVP. It’s designed to make your life easier, especially when you’re on the move.

Airport Hero: It makes navigating airport security a breeze. The carrier is easy to take on and off, and the storage pockets can hold your boarding pass, phone, and a pacifier.
Comfort for Everyone: The ergonomic design provides critical back support for you and a comfy seat for your baby. This means less strain during long waits or while bouncing a fussy baby.
Pro Parent Tip: With four carry positions, you can easily switch things up to keep your baby happy. The open-style seat is perfect for quick ups and downs at family gatherings when everyone wants a turn to hold the baby.

Say Yes to Photos, No to Pressure

You’ll want to capture every sweet moment of your baby’s first holiday season, but don’t let it become a source of stress.

Candid is King: The best photos are often the unplanned ones—the messy-faced smiles, the sleepy snuggles by the tree, and the look of wonder at the holiday lights.
One Festive Outfit is Enough: Pick one adorable baby holiday outfit for a few special photos. The rest of the time, comfort is key. Matching family pajamas are always a win.
Be in the Picture: Hand your phone to someone and get in the frame—these are your memories, too! Years from now, you’ll be so glad you have photos of you with your baby.

Create One Tiny Tradition (That’s Actually Sustainable)

Starting new baby holiday traditions is one of the most exciting parts of being a parent. The key is to choose something simple and meaningful that you can realistically continue each year.

A Special Ornament: A "Baby's First Holiday" ornament is a classic for a reason
Read a Holiday Book: Pick a festive story to read together on Thanksgiving or Christmas Eve.
Write a Letter: Write a short letter to your baby about their first holiday season. You can save them in a box to give to your child when they’re older. For more inspiration on celebrating firsts, check out our guide to celebrating baby's first Christmas.

Give Yourself Grace (and Maybe a Nap)

This season is a marathon, not a sprint—you’re doing an amazing job, even on the days when it feels like you're just barely getting by. Take a moment for yourself whenever you can. Let your partner, a friend, or a grandparent take over so you can have a hot shower, drink a cup of coffee in silence, or just take a much-needed nap.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do you celebrate your baby’s first holiday season?

Focus on simple, low-stress activities that you can enjoy together. Look at holiday lights, listen to festive music, and spend plenty of time cuddling. The goal is to create a warm, loving atmosphere, not to check off a long list of holiday "to-dos."

What are good holiday travel tips with a baby?

Pack smart, travel during your baby’s sleep times if possible, and bring familiar items from home like a favorite blanket. A good carrier is essential for keeping your hands free, too. For more parent-tested advice, resources like The Bump offer excellent tips for traveling with little ones.

How can parents reduce stress during the holidays?

Lower your expectations, communicate your needs and boundaries to family, and don’t be afraid to ask for help. Remember that it’s okay to prioritize your new family’s well-being over pleasing everyone else. Your baby needs relaxed parents more than a perfect holiday.

This Season is About the Moments

This season isn’t about perfect plans or flawless execution. It’s about the tiny, beautiful moments that make the holidays truly unforgettable—the sleepy head on your shoulder, the first taste of mashed sweet potatoes, and the quiet moments after everyone else has gone to bed.

Embrace the beautiful chaos, savor the sweetness, and know that you’re giving your baby the best gift of all: your presence and love.

Shop Tushbaby and Make Your Holiday Season a Little Lighter

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Carry your kid, stash your stuff, save your back. Tushbaby is the singular carrier that supports your body, your essentials, and your kids—from newborn to toddler. Nurse, carry, and go hands-free in a snap with our Snug Attachment. It looks good, feels good, and does the heavy lifting, so you don’t have to.

Heritage of quality — Our original, premium hip carrier, chosen by discerning parents for its comfort, durability, and timeless, high-quality design.

Premium, supportive design — Engineered with a firm, structured seat and reinforced stitching for lasting comfort and durability (no flimsy foam that collapses over time).

Ergonomic weight distribution — Shifts your child’s weight to ease pressure on your back, shoulders, and arms.

Built for real life — Heavy-duty two-way YKK zippers, high-grade buckles with safety locks, and reinforced seams hold up through daily wear.

Padded lumbar waistband — Cushions and supports your lumbar area for all-day comfort.

Made to last, made to carry — Premium materials withstand spills, travel, and toddler tantrums—without sagging, fraying, or losing shape.

Compact and travel-friendly — Rolls up neatly for easy storage in your diaper bag, stroller basket, or carry-on.

Details & Specs

Fits newborns to 36 months, and up to 45lbs (can also be used for feeding support)
Fits 23-44 inch waist (add up to 23 more inches with our Waistband Extender)
Four carry positions
Five storage pockets
Go hands-free with the Snug Attachment
Hideable bottle holder
Stain-resistant and easy-to-clean
Approved by global safety standards and verified through SGS testing
Made with OEKO-TEX 100 certified fabrics
Waistband 47"L x 6"H. Seat 6"L x 7.5"W (at base/widest part)
Weighs under 1lb
1 Year Warranty
Keep one arm around child at all times
Please note: Items with matching prints will naturally have some variation in color due to differences in material.

Fits newborns to 36 months, and up to 45lbs (can also be used for breastfeeding support)
Fits 23-44 inch waist (add up to 24 more inches with our Waistband Extender)
4 carry positions
5 Storage pockets
Hideable Bottle Holder
Wipe down for an easy clean
Snug, Pod, and Crossbody Strap sold separately
Waistband 47"L x 6"H. Seat 6"L x 7.5"W (at base/widest part)
Weighs under 1lb
1 Year Warranty

Fits newborns to 36 months, and up to 45lbs (can also be used for breastfeeding support)
Fits 23-44 inch waist (add up to 24 more inches with our Waistband Extender)
4 carry positions
5 Storage pockets
Hideable Bottle Holder
Wipe down for an easy clean
Snug, Pod, and Crossbody Strap sold separately
Waistband 47"L x 6"H. Seat 6"L x 7.5"W (at base/widest part)
Weighs under 1lb
1 Year Warranty

Fits newborns to 36 months, and up to 45lbs (can also be used for breastfeeding support)
Fits 23-44 inch waist (add up to 24 more inches with our Waistband Extender)
4 carry positions
5 Storage pockets
Hideable Bottle Holder
Wipe down for an easy clean
Snug, Pod, and Crossbody Strap sold separately
Waistband 47"L x 6"H. Seat 6"L x 7.5"W (at base/widest part)
Weighs under 1lb
1 Year Warranty

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