Happy Holidays! We wanted to do a holiday themed blog post this year to help celebrate our little ones and how this time of year is so special to them, from day one. So, thank you for reading and for being a part of our community. Outside of our sincerest and most heartfelt holiday wishes, today’s article will also include some expert tips and best practices for decorating your house this holiday in a baby-safe way.
Opt In On Baby-Safe Decorations
This year, especially if this is the first holiday season with a newborn or baby in general, you will want to find some extra room in your budget to purchase some baby-safe decorations. Look for decorations that are large enough to not be chokable and are generally softer and less rigid than others. Here is a list of things to be on the lookout for in safer decorations:
- Look for tree ornaments that are shatterproof or are made of soft or malleable materials like foam, felt, cloth, or soft plastic
- Avoid decorations with sharp edges that can poke a baby’s eye or hurt their sensitive skin if they are playing with it or get ahold of it somehow (babies are surprisingly fast and sneaky when it comes to grabbing something that looks interesting when you are not looking, even for 10 seconds!)
- Go for larger decorations or ones that cannot be swallowed or choked on. To that end, also avoid decorations that can easily break or chip or shatter into smaller pieces even if the decoration itself as a whole is not technically a choking hazard
- Like a particular decoration? Look at its composite ingredients. Make sure that they are non-toxic and contain no materials that would be harmful if handled by or ingested by a baby.
- Avoid anything with glitter at ALL costs! Glitter can be toxic and if it gets in the baby’s eyes or face can cause all manner of problems, including allergic reactions and eyesight damage. Sorry, but the glitter will have to wait a few years!
Tips For Decorating Your Tree (Childproofing)
Decorating a Christmas tree for the holidays is quite the endeavor. Here are some best practices for putting together a (mostly) childproof Christmas tree.
- Anchor anchor anchor! Even a baby that isn’t walking yet can pull down your average Christmas tree in about 30 seconds if it isn’t properly tied down or otherwise securely anchored. A quick and easy way is to take some sturdy yet festive colored twine or string and wrap it around the trunk several times and then tie that off to a secure piece of furniture, or put a screw discretely in the stud of a nearby wall and tie off the string to that. An anchored tree is a safe tree!
- Decorate with intention. Below waist level, every decoration should be very baby-safe and not breakable. Place them around the tree knowing that there is a good chance that they will be unceremoniously ripped off and played with.
- For lights, it is recommended that you go with LED lights that are cool to the touch. Just to be safe, go ahead and toss out all of your current lights that were purchased before baby and buy a nice modern set that is high-efficiency and safe. You can save a little bit on energy costs while you’re at it, so it’s a win-win!
- Just toss the tinsel and other stringy types of decorations that could easily be swallowed or choked on. Break it out when the kids are older, but put it back away for the grandkids.
- Tape down any electrical cords and make sure that all outlets near the tree are modern and kid-safe and are cordoned off from wandering babies looking for trouble.
Before You Go
We hope you enjoyed learning about tips for decorating the house in a baby-safe way for the holidays. If you would like to know more about this, our sleep learning, consulting or training programs or any of our excellent newborn care services, we are happy to help. Just contact us and we can go over your options and help you find the best path for your little one.
We hope these tips have helped you along your journey. If you have any questions about helping your baby to sleep better, or about your baby in general, please reach out to us HERE. We are experts in all things baby and sleep and would love to help!
Make Your Holiday Travel Stress-Free and Enjoyable!
Planning a holiday getaway with your baby? Don’t let sleep struggles and travel logistics overwhelm your celebrations. Secure your support early by booking a trusted Travel Nanny Newborn Care Specialist or Pediatric Sleep Consultant now for the 2024-2025 holiday season. Enjoy peace of mind, better rest for the whole family, and memorable moments you’ll cherish forever.
Contact Us Today to Learn More and Reserve Your Holiday Help!
Katie is personally booking only 2 spots to accompany families on their holiday travel. Act fast and give your family the gift of a joyful, well-rested holiday season 💕
Expertise You Need:
- Certified Master Pediatric Sleep Consultant
- Certified Advanced Newborn Care Specialist (2016-2022)
- Board Certified Holistic Healthcare Practitioner
- 16 years professional childcare experience
- Certified Postpartum Doula (2015-2022)
- Travel & ROTA Nanny
Katie has over 16 years experience working with children of all ages. As a Pediatric Sleep Consultant and Newborn Care Specialist, she has professionally supported families and babies worldwide over the last 10 years. Her mission is to help the entire family unit get better sleep, utilizing a holistic approach that supports the baby or child’s natural biologic drive to sleep. She has personally served hundreds of families, holds 20,000+ hours exclusively caring for infants & babies and has 69+ 5-⭐️ Google reviews.
