If you’re a new parent, you’ve probably been counting down the days until his first Halloween. Nothing could be cuter than those chubby little cheeks all dressed up in a fun baby costume! Make his first Halloween super special by letting him get as involved in the festivities as possible, and following these tips to ensure that everyone stays happy and healthy this holiday.
Obviously a baby who is only a few months old should not have candy of any sort. For babies six months or older, however, it may be a little more difficult to decipher what is and is not safe. Until your child is at least three (older if he still has issues chewing food thoroughly) stay away from hard candies and thick taffy, peanut butter, or caramel. Lollipops can be safe as long as the candy is snug on the stick, and you watch him closely. Other good choices include chocolate or any candy that melts in the mouth. Cut or tear larger items into small bit sized pieces.
Remember, your child probably has no idea what’s going on. To kids under the age of two or three, Halloween is just another day of the week. That said, make sure he maintains his normal schedule for as much of the day as possible. This means regular meal and naptimes, as well as quiet playtime without any older brothers or sisters popping in wearing their costumes. By doing this, you give yourself a better chance of having a happy baby as you go out trick-or-treating with older siblings, or visiting relatives to show off his cute costume.
On the same note, since he has no idea what “Halloween” actually is, you can make the day more for yourself. That means putting him in the cutest costume you can find and taking dozens of pictures without protest (hopefully). The Baby Racing Costumer in Red and Blue or the Baby Police Officer Costume are both excellent choices for your little one. They’re made just the right size for infants, and he will look adorable sitting in a toy car or playing with kid friendly handcuffs while snap away. If you don’t have any older children to contend with, you may just spend the bulk of your night taking photos (and emailing them to everyone you know)!
If your youngster will be tagging along for a trick-or-treat jaunt, remember to bring along plenty of supplies. Extra diapers, juice, blankets, and toys may all come in handy even if you are not roaming far from home. Infants and young toddlers are notoriously impatient, so keeping everything you may need close by will prevent you from having to return home early…or deal with a screaming baby house after house. Talk about scary!
