6 Holiday Outfit Tips to Keep Baby Cozy, Cute and Calm

The holiday season hits differently when you’ve got a baby in tow. Suddenly, the season of sparkle and soirees is also one of spit-up and skipped naps. Add car seat-to-crib transfers and diaper changes in less-than-ideal spaces (car trunk, anyone?), and the magic can start to seem…a little messy. It’s easy to feel like you’re running on a spiked mix of cocoa and adrenaline between all the travel, endless family gatherings and multiple first photo ops.

The good news? A little planning and strategic packing (plus some cozy PJs and cute outfits from Little Sleepies) can go a long way in making baby’s first holiday season feel a bit easier —and a lot more joyful. Here’s how:

1. Keep photos comfortable (and nap-ready).

The quest for the “perfect” family pics (or even just one where everyone’s eyes are open) can unravel fast if your baby’s outfit is stiff, scratchy, or just plain uncomfortable. Skip unfamiliar outfits like itchy tights and tight collars, and dress your baby in something soft, stretchy, and photogenic so they’re comfortable no matter how long the photos take—or if they fall asleep midway through the shot list.

The Candy Cane Stripe Crescent Zippy is a go-to for first-year photo ops. Made from hypoallergenic Lunaluxe bamboo that keeps even the most sensitive skin from getting irritated or overheated, the hidden U-shaped zipper makes for easy diaper changes, but won’t show in photos when baby’s snuggled on your lap, or Santa’s. 

2. Consider a keepsake outfit for all the “firsts.”

Your baby’s holiday season debut is a big deal, but you don’t need a professional photoshoot to make the moments count. A simple themed bodysuit with “My First Christmas” or “My First Hanukkah” paired with matching leggings can make everyday moments—opening gifts, lighting candles or snuggling by the fire—feel more special (and more likely to make it out of the camera roll and into a picture frame). 

Besides the bodysuits, you can opt for a first holiday outfit starting at micro-preemie sizing (up to 3 pounds), or themed outerwear like a gingerbread sherpa romper so your baby can really make an entrance at gatherings.

3. Plan for late nights and on-the-go changes.

Holiday dinners don’t always align with a baby’s schedule, and the drive home can easily cross into bedtime. Dressing your little one in their cozy sleepwear before you hit the road means you won’t have to change them when you get home. The car seat-to-crib handoff may still require ninja-level skills, but at least you won’t fumble with extra layers while trying not to wake them up.

Zippies have long been a Babylist parent favorite—and for good reason. They’re convenient during holiday travel too: Foldover hands and feet keep baby comfortable while the car warms up, buttery soft fabric stretches with even the squirmiest little travelers, and a two-way zipper that can help make diaper changes easier on the road or in the air.

Being able to unzip your baby from feet to belly means you can do the dirty work without having to undress your baby completely, which may seem like a minor detail. Still, it makes a big difference when wrangling an overtired baby in an airport bathroom or in the backseat at a highway rest stop (been there).

4. Start family traditions early on.

Matching family jammies are a holiday rite of passage since they’re a great way to capture that holiday-card magic and merry flair with minimal effort. Pro tip: get everyone into their jammies early in the evening. You’ll be comfy for lounging, knock out those family photos, and if little ones fall asleep mid-festivities, they’re already dressed for bed.

This year’s Little Sleepies holiday lineup has 10 prints and four solids in one or two-piece sets for the whole family to mix and match—pets included—from timeless classics like plaid and fair isle for Christmas and Hanukkah to modern designs inspired by the Nutcracker ballet, shopping for your tree and Santa’s cookies.

5. Pack smarter, not heavier.

Overpacking is almost a given with a baby, but bringing versatile pieces can help lighten the load. Holiday looks from Little Sleepies can double as daytime outfits and PJs, so you’re covered for nap time and that spontaneous family photo. Bonus: packing one of their festive prints means your baby will look seasonally adorable, even when just snoozing in someone’s arms.

6. Try to let go of “perfect.”

There’s a lot of pressure to make baby’s first holiday “magical,” but here’s the thing: it already is. Even if your baby naps through dinner, spits up during gift opening, or the only photo you capture is blurry and missing a sock—it still counts. These are once-in-a-lifetime moments, even when they don’t go to plan. So try to simplify where you can, dress everyone for comfort (and naps) and focus on soaking up the joy—not staging it.

This article is sponsored by Little Sleepies. Babylist’s free site, apps and emails are made possible by our sponsors. We limit our sponsored content to relevant partners that offer products and services we believe in and use ourselves.