Christmas at home usually means more people, more food, open doors and a tree full of shiny things. For a baby who has just started rolling, reaching or crawling, that mix can get busy very quickly. A little planning before the guests arrive keeps the party fun for everyone, and most of it is simple common sense.

Set up one calm, clear space for the baby

Pick a room or a corner that stays quiet and is easy to watch from the rest of the room. Put a firm mat or a clean blanket on the floor, away from the main doorway and from the path between the food table and the kitchen. A portable cot or a playpen with a clear view of the room works well for naps, so the baby is not sleeping on a sofa or a bed surrounded by cushions and loose blankets.

Keep the diaper bag, a bottle, wipes and a spare set of clothes in the same corner. When you need to step away, you should not have to search through a crowd for a clean diaper.

Walk the floor at a baby's eye level

Before the first guest rings the bell, get down on the floor and look around the way your baby will see it. Things that are invisible from standing height become obvious when you are crawling. Check for:

  • Coins, buttons, earrings, hair clips and small toy parts that have rolled under the sofa or behind the cabinets
  • Confetti, party poppers and small pieces of tinsel that could be picked up and put in the mouth
  • Loose ornaments and glass baubles that hang low enough for a grabbing hand
  • Cords from fairy lights, extension boards and speakers that a baby could tug on

Tuck the cords along the wall, or move the extension board to a higher shelf. Check the floor again after every hour or so, because guests drop things without noticing, and small items disappear fast.

Decorations: keep the fragile and the flammable out of reach

The Christmas tree is the most tempting object in any room. Hang the smallest and most fragile ornaments on the upper branches, and use larger, sturdier pieces near the bottom. If the tree stands within reach of the baby's play area, use a gate or a clear gap between the two. Make sure the tree is firmly fixed so it cannot tip over when a toddler leans on it.

Skip aerosol snow sprays and loose glitter in any room where the baby will be. Both can land on hands, get into eyes and end up in the mouth. Candles, diyas and tea lights should be out of reach, and never left burning in a room where the baby is sleeping or playing. Battery operated lights are a simpler choice for the party space.

Some battery operated decor uses small button cells. Make sure the battery compartment is closed with a screw, and check that a child cannot open it. If you ever suspect that a baby has swallowed a battery or any small object, call your doctor or the emergency number straight away, even if the baby seems fine. Do not wait to see whether symptoms appear.

Food and drinks need their own rules

Christmas food is often the biggest risk for a baby at a party. Keep hot tea and coffee, alcohol, sweets, nuts and any dish with bones or hard pieces away from the baby's space. Whole nuts, hard candies, grapes and popcorn are common choking hazards for small children, so do not let them sit on low tables where a baby can reach them.

Ask guests to keep their plates and glasses on a higher table, not on the floor or the edge of a sofa. Open bags of snacks, handbags with mints or chewing gum, and pill bottles also tend to end up in the wrong hands. Ask the adults to keep their own bags closed and out of the play area.

Do not offer your baby anything from the party table unless it is a food you already know is suitable for their age. If you are starting solids or are unsure about a particular food, check with your paediatrician first.

Dressing for the party without loose bits

A festive outfit should be soft, comfortable and easy to check. Choose cotton or another gentle fabric, and look for a neat fit at the neck, sleeves and waist. Avoid long ribbons, strings, detachable bows and dangling trims, since these can catch on furniture or get pulled into the mouth. Make sure every button or snap is firmly sewn on before you leave the house.

If you are looking for a party outfit that stays simple, these are two options from our Christmas range that are made for everyday festive wear:

You can also browse the party wear rompers and the Christmas rompers pages to compare styles. Before you buy, check the size chart so the outfit fits comfortably on the day, not just in the photo.

Guests, hands and holding the baby

Most guests mean well, but a sleepy or fussy baby can get passed around the room faster than you would like. Set a simple rule: ask before picking the baby up, and wash or sanitise hands first, especially after handling food or touching the decor. A short, polite "not right now" is perfectly fine when the baby needs a nap.

Keep a shawl or a light wrap nearby for when the room gets warm and crowded. If you have a pet, keep it in a separate room or behind a gate during the party so the baby and the animal are not left alone together.

Plan the nap, the breaks and the exit

Parties run late, and the baby's sleep schedule does not change because of the festivities. Plan a short break every hour or two, with a quiet room, a feed if needed and a change of clothes. Keep the sleep space flat and clear, with no soft toys, pillows or loose blankets, even when the noise level is high.

Decide in advance when you will leave, and keep the car seat or pram ready near the door. Leaving early, while the baby is still happy, is far easier than trying to pack up in the middle of an overtired meltdown.

FAQ

How do I keep a baby safe when there are lots of guests?

Give the baby a quiet, supervised space, and keep one adult focused on the baby at all times. Ask guests to wash their hands and ask before picking the baby up, and keep the floor clear of small items.

Which Christmas decorations are the riskiest for babies?

Small ornaments, glass baubles, tinsel, aerosol snow sprays, candles and battery operated decor with small batteries are the main ones to plan around. Keep them out of reach, and check the floor often during the party.

What should I do if my baby swallows something small?

Call your doctor or the emergency number straight away, even if the baby seems well. Do not wait to see whether symptoms appear, and do not try to make the baby sick. For advice on specific items or foods, check with your paediatrician.

A little preparation makes a big difference at a busy party. Clear the floor, secure the decor and keep one adult focused on the baby, and everyone can enjoy the festive day.