Whether this is your baby's first Thanksgiving or the first Thanksgiving your baby is celebrating outside the home, this is a wonderful opportunity for parents and the extended family to commemorate a child's first experience with annual traditions.
Babies of all ages can take part in Thanksgiving festivities which will be rewarding for the whole family.
Nothing gets parents more into the holiday spirit than extravagant outfits. Special fall baby clothes turn almost any photo into a smile for tomorrow.
While holiday outfits are too cute for words, the most important thing to remember when dressing your baby this Thanksgiving is to think comfort. Be prepared for a wide range of temperatures in diverse settings.
It may be a chilly day in November outside for the family pictures and watching football, but when it is time to settle inside for your Thanksgiving meal even a small gathering in a confined space can really get stuffy.
In general, for all the above and naptime in between, layers are your best bet. Start by dressing your baby in the same number of layers you are wearing and add a warm baby blanket and a jacket or cardigan for outside winds and cozy snuggles.
We all love those over-the-top baby outfits and headbands; we suggest that you keep natural breathable fabrics like cotton to change your baby into after the family photos are done.
Baby’s first Thanksgiving is a wonderful time to introduce long standing family traditions and discover cherished new ways of celebrating.
Finding a way to incorporate your baby in all the festivities is the perfect time to strengthen the family bond and establish memories that will last a lifetime.
Here are some ideas that can easily be incorporated and be built upon:
🦃 Baby may be too small to help work in a holiday kitchen benefiting those who are less fortunate, but your family can invite your guests to each bring canned foods to donate.
🦃 Use baby’s handprint to make adorable table place holders that will have all your guests smiling and double the perfect keepsake. Before you know it, you will have several years to reflect, share memories of Thanksgiving's past, and have a year by year visual of just how big your little baby is getting.
🦃 Bundle your baby up and go for a family walk after dinner. Not only does it burn off all those gravy calories, but it allows you to slow down and savor the moment together, and perfect for making room before returning home for dessert.
It is also important to keep in mind that although this is the baby's first Thanksgiving, it is also a time for all generations to connect and share memories and laughter from the past and hope and wishes for the future. Make sure to record these special interactions for your baby to enjoy and pass down when it is their turn to start family traditions.
With so much going on, it may not be hard to keep your baby entertained during the festivities but having some special age-appreciated activities can go a long way to help babies feel more comfortable out of their own environment.
Newborn babies spend much of the day eating and sleeping. Investing in a good baby sling or wrap can help keep your baby close, comfortable, and calm.
Babies that are passed around too much at this age can become overstimulated, which can lead to a fussy baby and lots of crying. It can also be hard on an immature immune system.
As your baby moves out of the newborn phase, their ability to engage will increase. These younger babies can roll over and reach for objects, so adding a clean soft, thick blanket or mat floor for tummy time is invaluable.
Use this space to keep babies' toys clean and to allow the baby to spread out. Babies at this age can also spend more time meeting family members and they love games like peek a boo.
This is the age where babies begin to crawl and pull things toward their mouths. Setting up a designated play area using a play yard will give your baby a safe area to move and keep their little eyes on all the fun.
By this age babies can sit on their own, begin to stand, and may even walk with a little help. If your baby can reach it, they will want to hold it, touch it, and put it in their mouths.
At this age, safety is paramount. Keep sanitary wipes, distracting toys, and baby friendly snacks in reach.
With so much going on, it is good to keep in mind that the older baby can still get overstimulated and tired. Watch for cues and take a periodical break, when necessary, from the hustle and bustle to spend quiet time or snuggle in a less busy corner just the two of you. If possible, keep your nap time schedule to help your baby stay happy and ready to join in the family fun.
Families gather around the Thanksgiving table each year to share all that they are thankful for, special memories, and favorite recipes.
For babies over 4 months old, an organic homemade Thanksgiving meal this holiday is much easier than you might think and it is also healthier and tastier than any over-the-counter baby food you can find.
We have suggestions for Thanksgiving foods that are appropriate for babies 4 months and older. However, talk with your pediatrician before serving peanuts, eggs, wheat, citrus fruits, tomatoes, and strawberries if your baby is less than a year old because these foods can cause an allergic reaction.
If your little one is new to solids, please make sure that any small bites, mashes, or purees are not too big, thick, or chunky for your baby and check each of the following requirements for starting nutrition other than European baby formula.
✓ Baby can hold their own head up
✓ Baby has doubled their own birth weight
✓ Baby can opens their mouth when food comes her way
✓ Baby can move food from a spoon to the back of his mouth
If your baby is ready for solid foods, they will be able to enjoy age-appropriate Thanksgiving staples that you have prepared just for them.
Turkey is rich in protein and iron and is perfect to share as a puree with babies around 8 months old. Choose the fattier thigh meat and mix with your little ones European baby formula to help thin it to the perfect consistency.
For babies over 10 months, finely diced tiny pieces of turkey that are easy to swallow whole can be added to the menu. Choose the fattier thigh pieces rather than the dry breast pieces. They are easier to chew with little to no teeth.
Gravy is just starch, salt, and unhealthy fats. Better to avoid this Thanksgiving table staple until well over a year.
Jelly cranberry sauce is perfectly safe for your 6-8 month old baby, but is loaded with an unwanted amount of sugar that you have avoided in your 6 month's European baby formula to this point.
As a healthy alternative, make whole cranberry sauce for the family and puree it with a little applesauce to cut the acid and provide some sweetness to the nice smooth texture for your baby to enjoy.
Babies can enjoy pureed/mashed cooked beans starting at about 6 months and diced beans starting at around 10 months. The casserole version includes a cream dairy base and is best to be avoided especially if there is a dairy intolerance.
For sensitive babies and those littles that do best on European goat milk formula simply rinse off the cream before serving according to age.
As far as the fried onions on the casserole, these should be removed from the dish and shared with other family members.
You can give your baby smashed or pureed glazed carrots at 7 months. Carrots are rich in fiber and provide an exceptionally healthy food option for a Thanksgiving meal.
Carrots are creamy, naturally sweet, and easy on a baby's tummy.
Corn kernels are a choking hazard and will cause digestive problems for babies under 18 months. It is best to avoid.
Unless you are going to 100% puree the stuffing, it is recommended holding it back until your baby is older than a year, has met fine motor and toddler eating milestones, and has moved to European toddler formulas.
For babies under a year, stuffing can contain choking hazards and hard to chew textures such as celery pieces and whole cranberries. Skip it and reevaluate next year.
At four months old, your baby may be able to handle a side dish like mashed potatoes whipped with their favorite stage 1 European baby formula.
Share only potatoes that do not have extra ingredients added such as bacon, cheese, or cream before 7 months and there should be no lumps at any time before a year.
Sweet potatoes are an amazing first food for babies; they have nutrients perfect for supporting cognitive formation. Babies as young as 4 months can have sweet potatoes thinned with a complimenting brain developing European baby formula.
If you are serving a baby from a sweet potato dish, make sure there are no nuts mixed inside (choking hazard and extreme allergen) or marshmallow topping that is pure sugar and can inhibit baby’s health.
Holiday traveling with a baby does not have to be difficult. With a little planning, parents find themselves moving trouble free through crowded airports or cruising a little easier on long car rides on their way to grandma's house.
Here are a few of our top tips to get you started on your family vacation with baby.
🦃 Carry baby's essentials in an easily accessible tote or diaper bag. If you are flying, do not check this bag and if you are traveling by automobile make sure you leave it within arm’s reach.
By always keeping your baby’s bag with you, you will never be without the necessities to maintain your little one’s health and comfort in case of lost luggage, weather delays, or longer than expected travel stops.
🦃 Bring along your little one’s special attachment items from home. Babies find comfort in the most familiar, so do not forget that special binkie or blanket when traveling away from home.
It will make all the difference when your baby is feeling overstimulated from all the attention and change in routine. If possible, bring a duplicate in case one gets misplaced.
🦃 When practical, try to keep a schedule. Babies do not understand special occasions, so by keeping up with the baby's usual napping and feeding schedule as much as possible, you are providing them with the security they need to get through an unpredictable day.
🦃 Listen to your baby. Celebrating a baby's first Thanksgiving is exciting and fun but be sure to know your infant's boundaries. Babies, just like adults, will benefit from mini breaks during the day to just snuggle and be quiet.
🦃 To help reduce stress, make sure to order at least a months supply of your baby's favorite formula to insure that you do not run out on vacation.
Baby's first Thanksgiving celebrating with friends and family is a special time. Introducing your baby into traditions and holiday celebrations will foster a lifetime of special memories.
For these special days and every day in between, My Organic Company is here for your family. We only offer European baby formulas to support healthy growth and development that are conveniently packaged so it is easy to take on the road with you.
Free of non-lactose sugars, heavy metals and toxic ingredients, our organic cow’s milk based formulas and gentle goat’s milk based formulas give families peace of mind when you're on the go.
