The holiday season can be a busy time of year between parties, travel, and hosting out-of-town relatives. Child safety might not be top of mind so we created this quick guide that you can refer back to all month long.

Deck the halls with safety in mind.

Choking Hazards

Some holiday decorations can pose serious choking hazards, especially for newborns and young children. Keep ornaments, pinecones, potpourri, or any other small decorations out of reach of young kids. Seasonal treats, including hard candy, should also be displayed only on a high shelf. If you have a Christmas tree, start placing ornaments and glitter garland halfway up the tree.

Secure the tree.

Make sure that your Christmas tree is securely anchored in its stand. The last thing you want is for it to come toppling down because of a curious child. You could also put up a child safety gate around the tree.

Avoid fire hazards.

Move the Menorah onto a high shelf or table after it’s lit. Keep candles out of reach and far away from the tree. String lights can also be dangerous so make sure that the ones you purchase have been tested for safety and don’t have any frayed wires. If you’re using an artificial tree, make sure that it’s labeled as fire resistant.

If you’re visiting a friend or family member’s home for a holiday party, be sure to share this blog post with them. Safety precautions can be overlooked, especially by a relative who isn’t used to having kids around.

Gifts

Create an age-appropriate wishlist of safe toys that you can share with relatives. Keep all wrapped gifts out of reach especially if there are ribbons that can become a choking hazard. Then, immediately discard the wrapping materials after your child opens a gift.

Since your little one will probably be overloaded with toys from family and friends, consider a gift that will be special for the whole family. A Bella Baby photo shoot creates beautiful, lasting memories and is a meaningful experience for your family to enjoy together. Photos can be framed and gifted to relatives.     

Going somewhere?

Are you heading out of town for the holidays? A little planning goes a long way when it comes to safety and avoiding illness. Check out our top tips for traveling with your kids this holiday season. There’s even a printable packing list.  

We at Bella Baby Photography wish you a very happy and healthy holidays!

Traveling over the busy holiday season can be stressful, especially when you’re traveling with a newborn or young child. Proper preparation can make the process smoother. Here are our tips for keeping your sanity while traveling with your little ones.

Don’t Travel Too Far

Prior to age three, it’s best to stick to destinations that are close to home. Newborns have a much higher risk of catching something while traveling and it’s just not worth the risk. You’ll also want to keep your trip short. Just a weekend getaway to somewhere within a couple hours drive is ideal, especially for the first few months.

Flying

Airports and airplanes are basically feeding grounds for germs. Ideally, wait till 4-6 months until you take your newborn on a plane. Most airlines do allow young kids to sit on their parent’s lap, however, that’s not the safest place for a child. The FAA recommends securing your little one in a child safety seat. Most car seats will work; just check your seat to see if it says “approved for use in both motor vehicles and aircraft.”

What to Pack

Start planning a few days early. Avoid waiting till the night before to start packing so you don’t forget anything important. Keep a list going and whenever you remember something that you absolutely don’t want to forget, write it down.

Here’s a Basic Checklist:

• Documents – Bring your baby’s birth certificate if you’re flying.
• Food for baby – formula, snacks that don’t need refrigeration
• Toys – Pack a few favorites for entertainment during a long car ride.
• Transportation – car seat for the plane, stroller
• First Aid – Band-aids, hand sanitizer, any prescriptions
• Changing supplies – diapers, wipes, changing pad, diaper rash cream
• Clothes – socks, shoes, bibs, extra clothes in case of spills

Bookmark this blog post or pin this image to refer back to before your trip!Also, check out The Ultimate Pack List for Jet-Setting Families.

Don’t worry too much about forgetting any one thing. As long as you have the essentials, you can always stop by a convenience store near your destination to pick up anything else that’s needed.

Super Mom Christine C has a fun travel hack:

“When our kids were little and we were facing a long car ride or flight, we would pack two backpacks; one for snacks and one for entertainment. Each section contained a different little batch of new things and we would ration out the goodies, section by section throughout the trip. We always had one last thing stashed in one of our bags or under the car seat that we knew would be a favorite. We’d only bring it out at the end and that would get us through the last bit of the journey.”

Where to Stay

Some hotels are more family-friendly than others. Do a little research to compare nearby options beforehand. The hotel’s website and Yelp reviews should give you a good idea of whether or not the place is extra accommodating to little ones. The experience will be more enjoyable if there are other families around. Some baby-friendly hotels even offer baby gear for rent so you don’t need to lug your own. Ask the hotel if they have a kids menu at their restaurant.

You might consider booking a larger room than you would without the kiddos. You’ll be thankful for the extra space when it comes time for feeding and changing. Plus, it will be nice to have plenty of room to store all of the extra supplies you packed.

Have Realistic Expectations

Go into your vacation with the understanding that there won’t be a lot of rest and relaxation time. An infant who is one year or younger requires almost constant attention. If you keep your expectations low, then you’ll be pleasantly surprised when you do get some time to yourself during naps or calm moments.

Have any additional tips? Share them with us below in a comment.