A Guide to Navigating Christmas as New or Expectant Parents

As mums, we have experienced different stages of pregnancy, new babyhood, feeding or toddlerness at various Christmas seasons along the way. As midwives, we have cared for so many new parents during the festive season and we get how wonderful Christmas can be when you have a new bump or baby to experience it all with. But it can also be totally overwhelming too. Between expectations from family or the pressure to create 'perfect' memories as well as the physical and emotional changes you’re experiencing, the festive season can carry its own unique challenges.

So here are some of our gentle, practical tips to help you enjoy a calmer, more comfortable Christmas. Some of these we know first hand and others have been mentioned to us by new families we have worked with. Let us know what you think. Perhaps you have some festive ideas to add!

1. Put Your Wellbeing First (Without the Guilt)

Pregnancy or early parenthood is not the time to push through exhaustion for the sake of tradition. If you need a quiet morning, fewer visitors, or an early night, that is more than okay.

Our Midwife-mum top tip: Give yourself permission to say “We’d love to see you, but we’ll need to keep things short and simple this year.” People will understand far more than you think.

2. Keep Christmas Day Flexible

If you’re nearing your due date, have a newborn, or are simply feeling wiped out, don’t feel obliged to travel long distances.

Our Midwife-mum top tip: Hosting a drop in cuppa instead of a full Christmas dinner, asking family to come to you or keeping travel plans light and easy to cancel. If your baby arrives close to Christmas, remember, you choose when you’re ready for visitors. Rest, bonding, and feeding come before visitors.

3. Manage Visitors (This Can Be the Tough!)

Well-meaning relatives often want cuddles or to 'help', but you set the pace. See above!

What we’ve said ourselves as mums: “Would you mind washing your hands first?” “We’re keeping cuddles short today—she’s a bit unsettled.” “We’d love help with washing up more than baby-holding!” Most families appreciate clear, kind boundaries.

4. Protect Naps, Routines & Your Peace of Mind

Late nights, noise, and excitement can easily overstimulate little ones (and parents!). It’s fine to step away.

Our midwife-mum top tip: A quiet room for feeding or calming, offering your baby naps as close to normal times as possible, keeping evening plans flexible.

5. If You’re Nearing Your Due Date

Keep your maternity notes handy, ensure your hospital bag stays packed, and remember that maternity units run as normal over Christmas. If you’re travelling, check the quickest route back to your local maternity unit and have a backup driver if possible.

6. Look After Your Mental Health

Christmas can bring big emotions; joy, sadness, pressure, loneliness, or even disappointment if this year looks different from what you imagined. Pregnancy and early parenthood are already emotionally intense, so be gentle with yourself. Please reach out and speak with someone if you feel you need a listening ear.

7. Create Your Own Traditions

A newborn or pregnancy doesn’t stop the Christmas magic but it does reshape it.

It's ok to find new traditions. Think small, gentle traditions. Take the pressure off. Read books, go for walks, collect berries. You don’t need a Pinterest-perfect Christmas to make meaningful memories.

8. Remember: You’re Doing Brilliantly

Whether you’re celebrating with a bump, a newborn, or a sleep-deprived partner, you are navigating a huge life transition. Look after yourself and slow down. Maybe this year should be guided by comfort, calm and relaxation, not pressure.