There’s something magical about celebrating your baby’s first Christmas: the sparkle in their eyes, the joy of family seeing them in their tiny festive outfit, the beautiful frenzy of it all.
Or maybe this is your second Christmas with your little one, and things feel extra special now that they’re that bit older: curious, giggly, and starting to really take it all in.
December days are filled with full hearts and full calendars. Between the car rides, noisy lunches, and a blur of family faces, one thing often goes missing in the mix: naps.
The truth is, sleep might look a little different during the holidays and that’s perfectly fine. With a few gentle adjustments, you can help your baby rest (and yourself relax) through the season’s whirlwind of joy.
1. Let go of the perfect schedule
Your baby’s nap times might slide around a little, that’s normal and often unavoidable. Instead of watching the clock, watch them. Look for the signs: zoning out, rubbing eyes, that quiet moment before the storm. Respond to cues, not minutes, and you’ll avoid the overtired spiral.
2. Make pram and carrier naps your best friend
Portable naps are a gift. Long drive to Nan’s? Pram walk after lunch? Perfect. Let motion and familiar comfort do the heavy lifting. Pop their Riff Raff comforter in close for a familiar scent and cue, it helps signal, “you’re safe, you can rest,” even when the environment’s new.
3. The “rescue nap” is your secret weapon
If things completely derail, a short “reset” nap can work wonders. Ten or twenty minutes in a dark room or quiet car can help your baby recharge enough to get through dinner (and save the evening).
4. Communicate with love
Sometimes the hardest part is managing family expectations. Try simple, kind scripts like:
“We’d love to stay, but it’s nap time, we’ll pop back after a rest.”
“She’s a little overstimulated, so we’re just stepping out for a quick pram nap.”
Most people will understand when it’s said with calm confidence (and anyone who doesn’t… well, they’re not the ones doing bedtime).
5. After the chaos, reset gently
Once the festivities wind down, you can slide back into your usual routine. Babies bounce back faster than we think. A few days of consistency and they’ll be right on track, and so will you.
A little Christmas reminder
The holidays are for connection, not perfection. Your baby won’t remember if naps happened in the cot or the car, they’ll remember the warmth, the laughter, the familiar scent of home.
So go easy on yourself. Rest when you can. And know that even in the Christmas chaos, you’re doing beautifully.