I would try not to over do it - think about yourself and your baby before the feelings of your family. I had my DS 6 days before xmas (was due on the 18th too lol) and had only been out of hospital 2 days. We told everyone not to rely on us that year (ie for food etc as we all usually share the load). We made it to my parents house and stayed for only about 2-3 hours instead of the usual whole day thing. I felt tired and ds wasnt settling very well as he had been passed from pillar to post and it was quite noisy etc.
No one tells you how bad you feel after birth too, like not just physically (you may have stitches) but its a very strong emotional time also. You will still be establishing b/feeding.
I just re-read my post and it sounded a little more negative than i intended. I guess what i am trying to say is dont feel pressured into doing too much at once. Dont get upset that you may be hurting someones feeling by leaving early or tellig them they cant hold the baby.
I hope you have a lovely christmas though and bub might wait for you lol. I always said that he had to come either on his edd or wait till boxing day as i didnt want to celebrate chrissy in hospital. Good luck xxx
our bub will be here by the 15th so will only be 10 days old by xmas and well thats scary enough let alone all the christmas shananigans!!
usually we do breakfast at MIL's and then lunch at one family and then dinner at the other family.
this year we have told MIL we wont be at breakfast and she was fine with that, mind u she had no choice it wasnt happening!!
she asked the other day if we thought we would make it to lunch and we said yes we intent on being there BUT will be playing things by ear.
hopefully it will be a quick lunch and we can get back home again if things arnt going to plan. there will be about 8 for lunch, thankfully the IL's are a small family, but i still wont have baby handed round person to person i dont want her feral for the night time.
then for dinner we are spending it with my family which works AWSOMELY becasue by then everyone is over it so its usually a quick affair!
mum has suggested that everyone will do the usual catering they do and then bring it to us so we dont have to go out nor do we have to put in any effort.
there will be about 13 of us for dinner, and again baby wont be handed round like pass the parcel, im hoping to have her in her room asleep, wishful thinking i know.
either way we will be making it well know she is a brand new baby and that we wont accept her being passed around unless they want to deal with her when she becomes a wild child because she is overwhelmed by everything
I reckon if you've had your baby before christmas (or even if not) have people come to you and limit your availability if you need to rest. Don't commit to running round all over the place
We haven't made plans for chrissy yet - it'll be here or my parents depending on how we feel. At any rate, I will be putting my feet up and feeding baby and taht's about it (assuming s/he doesn't keep us waiting beyond that of course).
Great thread - I'm due next week, but who knows when these little people will come!! My mum & dad are staying with us, and will be taking most of the christmas load (breakfast etc) and then it's just up to us to turn up with a newborn to DH's family. And that's the only committment I've made!
Yep im with 'doing whats best for bub' .... you never know you could have a night from hell or anything wth a new or newish newborn
This year i would say be selfish and your family will understand and if they dont well a bit of bad luck hey !
Have a sleep in, turn up for lunch go home for time out for you all then turn up for tea and then an early night.
Being your first your eyes will most likely be hanging out of your head through lack of sleep and trying to learn the ropes of being a Mum so rest as much as you can.
Remember to drink alot as when things are flat out it is hard to keep up the fluids.
Looking forward to the announcement along with all the other Christmas time babies
Thanks so much ladies for the advice and the confidence boost. I find it hard to say no but I will do it for bubs and my best interest if i need to. Like a few of you said I won't be having her passed from pillar to post and then being overstimulated and not sleeping. I'm also concerned as they say a few days after birth you get the blues, so I could be very emotional, learning how to BF, recovering etc. Maybe we can just make an appearance an hr or 2 at each family and head home in between.
Thanks again everyone
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