For those of you with babies under a year of age

Common sense goes a long way with babies and the holidays. No glass ornaments until they're older, keep small items up and out of the way, if you're worried about the tree tipping over then bolt it to the wall with a cable, etc. Wrapping paper? Not a problem if you trash bag it after the initial free-for-all. We also don't put more than a couple presents under the tree until they've gone to bed on Christmas Eve to reduce the temptation of baby-surfing the gifts.

It depends on the child about over-stimulation. Some kids have no problem being passed around the relatives, others need time alone. Take cues from the baby, if she's fussy or freaked out seeing a giant red-suited man with a crazy beard then wait until next year or take her someplace there isn't a two-hour line to sit on his lap. Plan ahead if your child is prone to over-excitement and avoid the cranky, crushing lines.

My son was 8 months his first Christmas and this year will be my daughter's (7m tomorrow) first Christmas.

Here are my ways to deal...
* all ornaments low on the tree are ones kids can take off and handle without breaking
* strings of LED lights on the tree so when they touch, the bulbs will not be hot
* the first couple of gifts under the tree are ones that can be handled without damage and we keep putting them back until they learn not to touch
* no bowls of candy or nuts on low tables baby can reach
* wrapping paper has always been removed after gifts are opened (I grew up that way) so I've never seen a problem

As far as keeping from being too overstimulated, I will take them into a different/quieter room a few times. It helps that we have never been anywhere new for the holidays and this year are staying home. It is familiar places. I also try to get my children to nap and keep them fed to avoid issues.

I don't decorate the bottom half of the tree. This upcoming year it'll be a little desk top tree becuase it's just me and the girls now. I only use satin bulbs and I have a really nice set of wooden ornaments. That's my plan.

willwrite4food said:

How do you plan to keep your baby safe during the holidays? Are you worried about potential dangers that Christmas tree ornaments and wrapping paper present? How will you make sure your child doesn't get overwhelmed or overstimulated with all the excitement and festivities?

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Psychobabble has a lot to answer for. Time to stop finding 'pseudo-psych' reasons for unhappy babes. Less pop psych and more action is all that's needed. If he's unhappy, he'll shout! Common sense: take him away.

Parents who leave their babies alone in a room with a Christmas tree should be locked up. There is no 'planning' around Christmas. It's like every other day of the year. Babies don't get left alone, end of story. More likely, it's the grown-ups who need to 'plan' to be safe - what with all the extra electrics and the no-brainer DIY-ers who end up killing their kids (and/or themselves) in their efforts to be the next Nick Knowles.

Sorry. Sounding flippant now. But honestly - there's no science to keeping baby safe and Christmas is no more hazardous than any other day - unless, of course, Mum and Dad are on the bottle again lol (I mean that in a 'good' way, by the way). Paranoia helps no-one and all you'll end up with is a screaming baby because they sense everything. In fact, probably the only danger is the increase in over-zealous relatives attempting to 'feed' baby Christmas cake, peanuts, mince pies and no doubt delighting in Babe's reaction to champagne, wine, etc. etc.

Now - if you'd asked how I was going to keep Baby safe from those bloomin' elves, well, that's a whole other story ... LOL

Symphony

p.s. Parents will ALWAYS worry. Adding extra undue stress to mums with under-ones in the house is, I think, the cause of a lot of unnecessary accidents. There is so much silliness around today; all baby needs is the same care and attention he got last Tuesday.

Never take your eyes off a child under two, unless he's sleeping or otherwise confined in a safe area.

Make sure to stick to the same routine you had before the holiday (bedtimes, naptimes, mealtimes) as much as possible so baby gets enough sleep and won't get too cranky at inopportune moments.

Keep it low key and have fun.

DuckTape.