Celebrating your first New Year's Eve with baby

Dec 30, 2011 1:00 PM by Tracee M. Herbaugh

Posted in Parenting / New Moms

Incorporate Baby Into Your NYE Plans

If this is your first New Year's Eve with a baby in tow, plans may be at a loss. It's not quite the same celebrating until the early hours of the morning if you are worrying about parenting responsibilities. Consider these tips to make your holiday special and fun, even with a baby.

New Year's Eve baby

Stay in and watch the ball drop on television

Unless you can spend a fortune on a babysitter or have a family member in town who is willing to watch the baby, you might be staying in to watch Anderson Cooper ring in the New Year in Times Square. Don't fret because most new parents are in this position. To spice things up, plan a fun menu to cook or have some board games to play during the commercials.

Invite your friends over

The easiest way for new parents to celebrate in pre-baby style is to bring the party to you. Celebrate early, it's New Year's in other time zones after all, and you can maintain the family-friendly atmosphere.

Have a slumber party with the kids and parents

If you have enough space at your home, there's no better time to have some close friends and their babies over for a classic slumber party. You can order pizza or host a potluck dinner. When the kids go to sleep, you can break open the champagne. The beauty of a slumber party is that no one has to worry about transportation when the festivities come to a close. It's a hassle to get around on New Year's Eve, and even more so with all the baby accessories.

Bring your baby to the party

This depends on what kind of party you'll be attending. A loud, raging soiree is not an option, obviously. But it's acceptable to bring your baby to a gathering at a friend's home where there will be food, drinks and celebration. Just make sure your baby won't mind being around strangers and will stay happy for the most part. No one wants to ring in the new year with a screaming baby.

Go out to an early dinner or concert

Some babies can tolerate a short time in public without too much fussing. Plan an early dinner well before bedtime. You could also find a concert or holiday event that is not overly long and slightly mellower. Try to give your baby a nap, clean diaper and food right before the outing so she is content when you go.

Make plans for New Year's Day

Finally, if you must stay in and you're feeling bored with it, make plans for New Year's Day. You'll have something fun to look forward to and going to bed at an earlier hour won't seem so lame.