How I intend to survive CNY with baby

1. Arrange for early early reunion dinner.

Think 5.45pm... yes yes that early. Assume baby's dinner at 6pm and then supper at 7.30pm and sleep at 8pm. Of course this logistically depends on your family. Look on the bright side... you get to leave early to go home and rest too after the little one sleeps!

2. Make sure baby sleeps enough overnight before 1st CNY day i.e. visiting day.

Getting your baby to sleep through the night is yet another achievable feat. So I had a sleep consultant in recently to teach us how to train our little one to sleep through the night. Her daytime naps not so successful... but that's a story for another time.

3. Feed baby before setting off.

Well fed and well slept baby is essential for minimal crankiness. Pooh definitely agrees. A full belly in the morning will set the day right.

'If everything is honey, and I am what I eat I must be made of honey..and life is very sweet!'

4. Pack extras of everything.

Everything you can think of that is essential... nappies, milk, wet wipes. That is the OCD part of me talking... make sure you are prepared outside!

5. Schedule visits around nap time.

If location permits... try to feed the little one at home for lunch and let her take a good long afternoon nap. Depending on the morning festivities, especially if the morning nap is skipped, this could be particularly easy or difficult to achieve. Some babies are easily over-stimulated and may subsequently refuse to sleep.

6. Rope hubby in to help.

He can carry the 'extras of everything' - see point 4. Or carry the baby while you are busy handing out ang baos.

The zodiacs of my partner in crime and me.

7. Remember to settle yourself!

Don't forget about yourself whilst being busy with baby. New year clothes... Ang bao at the ready... Feed yourself...

Sometimes the smallest things take up the most room in your heart.

Happy CNY visiting!

Will see how it all works out... my first CNY as a mother after all, and possibly update again! :)

D8 CNY

Latest update...

Found out that the most important factor for decently behaved baby (of course not withstanding the usual discipline) ... is sleep sleep and enough sleep. Nap Times are as important as Feeding Times.

Also: don’t forget to take precautions to stop baby from falling sick! This is quite important as well because of all the visiting... easy to catch mild bugs from adults. Remember to wash your hands constantly!