Holidays and Family Gatherings With Babies and Toddlers

Set expectations early

• Whatever you celebrate (religious holidays, cultural new years, family reunions, birthdays, weddings, Thanksgiving), gatherings are exciting and overwhelming for small children.
• Decide ahead with your partner or co-parent: how long you'll stay, where the baby will nap, and which traditions matter most. You don't have to do every event.
• Co-parents: agree on the holiday schedule well ahead and stick to it. Children do best when they can enjoy both homes without feeling torn (see the co-parenting in two homes guide).

Protecting sleep and routines

• Keep naps and bedtime as close to normal as you can. A portable crib in a quiet room, the usual sleep sack and a sound machine help. Safe sleep rules still apply: back, alone, flat firm surface, nothing in the sleep space.
• Plan for one late night, not five. An overtired toddler at 7 p.m. is nobody's fault, and leaving early is allowed.
• Bring familiar snacks and a quiet corner or a walk outside for when it's too loud.

Germs and visitors

• Winter holidays fall in flu, COVID and RSV season. Make sure your family and close caregivers are up to date on recommended vaccines. Ask your pediatrician about RSV protection for young babies.
• It's fine to ask sick relatives to stay home, to ask for hand-washing, and to ask people not to kiss a young baby's face. See the visitors and germs guide.

Safety in someone else's home

• Medicines in guests' bags, coats and nightstands are a top cause of poisonings. Ask for bags to go up high or in a closed room.
• Button batteries in gadgets, cards and remote controls, and small magnets: keep out of reach.
• Alcohol in leftover glasses at toddler height. Clear drinks as you go.
• Choking foods: nuts, whole grapes, popcorn, hard candy and chunks of meat. Cut or skip for under 4s. See the choking guide.
• Candles, fireplaces, hot dishes and decorations: keep toddlers back and watch for cords and breakable ornaments.
• Water: pools, ponds and hot tubs. Name one adult as the "water watcher" at a time.

Relatives and boundaries

• You can let children decide how they greet people: a hug, a high five, a wave. See the body safety and consent guide. Give relatives a heads-up so it doesn't feel personal.
• If relatives disagree with your choices (feeding, sleep, discipline), a calm, short answer works: "This is what our pediatrician recommends." Then change the subject.
• Gatherings can be hard for families who are grieving, estranged, newly separated or far from home. Small new traditions of your own are just as real.

Gifts

• Choose age-appropriate toys and check for small parts for under 3s. Open-ended toys tend to last longest; see the open-ended toys guide.
• Fewer gifts at once is easier on young children. Spread them out or put some away for later.

When to check in

• If your child is sick before a big trip, ask your pediatrician whether to travel.
• If a child swallows a medicine, battery or magnet, call Poison Control at 1-800-222-1222; for a swallowed button battery or magnet, go to the emergency room right away. If a child is choking and can't breathe, call 911.