by Dr. Melissa Nelson

Kids love the holidays - sweet treats, sparkly lights, extra cuddle time with grandma - but parents of small children need to be vigilant. All the joy of the holidays come with some dangers for our little ones.

Decorations set the mood for a festive holiday, so go ahead and deck your halls, but make sure that all your decorations are fire resistant.  This might be a good year to pass on the live Christmas tree all together since it's a major fire hazard if you forget to water it, and those pesky pine needles are no longer just a nuisance, they're a safety hazard if they wind up in baby’s mouth.  If you do get a live Christmas tree, don't forget the water pan under the tree, which is oh so tempting for baby to splash in.

And however silly it may look, place ornaments in the upper half of the tree, above baby’s reach. Even though the ornaments themselves may not represent a choking hazard, the ornament hooks can. Also consider leaving your keepsake ornaments in the box until later years - many of them are not fire resistant nor shatter-proof. Keeping them stored now may allow you to enjoy them for years to come.

Traveling for the Holidays

Even though it is easy to protect your child in your own home, many families travel for the holidays, and you may find yourself in a home that isn’t baby-proofed. Ask politely if your host minds if you move some decorations to higher shelves and ornaments to higher branches. You may also want to consider placing baby in a play yard or taking her to another room when the older kids open and play with their new toys. Most toys geared toward children age three and up aren't appropriate for crawlers and have tiny pieces that could quickly disappear into baby’s mouth. The older children will appreciate their baby-free zone.

All the holiday activity is exhausting for adults, and even more so for small children. Don’t be tempted to keep your child up late often to enjoy parties during this busy season. By keeping your child in a normal bedtime routine, you keep your baby from becoming overly tired. Tired children will be more likely to be grumpy and catch an illness that will prevent them from enjoying the holidays at all. So do your best to make sure your child gets a good night sleep as often as possible.

Chances are your child will be in other peoples’ homes and playing with other childrens toys, exposing them to lots of new germs.  Wash your hands, and your child’s hands, frequently.  If this isn’t possible, travel with hand sanitizer, or even use baby wipes to clean their hands as often as you can.

Holiday Food

One of the most enjoyable parts of the holiday season is the abundance of delicious treats. Go ahead and let your child enjoy them too (as long as they are old enough to eat solid food). But definitely practice moderation. Tiny tummies are even more sensitive to new foods than adults. Be as vigilant as you would be at your own dinner table - watch closely for choking hazards as many people like to put out small dishes with candies and nuts. It is also wise to keep a lookout for alcoholic beverages that look like juice. A forgotten glass on an end table could be a disaster for a small child.

Be prepared and be cautious, and baby’s first holidays will be a magical time for your child and yourself.

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