Bring Baby Into the Celebration: Babywearing, Hosting, and Gatherings

The kitchen is warm, the music’s playing, and you’re juggling a half-prepped casserole while someone calls from the living room asking where the extra napkins are. It’s the familiar rhythm of the holidays where all hands are on deck…and this year, you have a new helper snuggled close against your chest.

Hosting, cooking, serving with a baby in tow is a beautiful, chaotic dance - one that’s easier when you have both hands free and you and baby feel secure. That’s where babywearing becomes more than convenience. It becomes connection.

Because we can't assume someone else can do the cooking, it’s perfectly possible (and wonderful) to cook while babywearing. But like everything in parenting, it’s about finding the right balance between awareness and ease.

If you’ve ever worn your baby while stirring a pot or chopping vegetables, you’ve probably already noticed how much more present you need to be in your movements. You’re aware of your baby’s position, your movements, and your surroundings in a way you’ve never had to be before.

A few things to keep in mind:

• Be mindful of heat and reach. Babies’ hands and feet can move suddenly, especially as they grow and become more curious. When working near a stove, open oven, or other hot surface, choose cooking methods that minimize risk, like an Instant Pot, slow cooker, or oven-baked recipes you can prep at a distance and have someone else get in and out of the oven. Beware spatter from hot liquids, as well.
• Stay aware of sharp tools. If you’re chopping or slicing, keep baby turned toward you so you can see their hands and feet, and make sure there’s no chance of a reaching limb getting in the way. Food processors and choppers can be a great alternative when available.
• If possible, wear baby on your back. Baby can stay close without being right in your “zone” while you cook…but remember to keep an eye on those hands and legs all the same!
• Mind your carrier, too. Loose ties or webbing can dangle near heat or moving appliances. Buckles can get caught on drawer pulls. If you’re sharing a crowded kitchen, ensure straps won’t be grabbed or caught by others or snag on handles. And remind the other cooks to remember baby is on your back.
• Watch your balance. A quick push from a baby’s foot against a counter edge can throw you off…especially as you reach, stir, or move around a small space. Position yourself so baby has nothing to kick or push off from.

And don’t forget to consider your carrier choice. A long wrap could feel too warm in a busy kitchen, while dangling webbing from a buckle carrier gets in the way. If you’re unsure what might work best for you, try experimenting. Many local babywearing libraries offer short-term rentals, and national programs like Little Zen One’s Try Before You Buy make it easy (and fun) to test new carriers without commitment.

Sometimes, just switching to a ring sling or a lightweight onbuhimo can make a cooking session feel calmer, safer, and far more enjoyable.

If the kitchen is where the holidays begin, the gatherings are where the stories unfold…and where babywearing can change the whole experience for you and your baby.

When the house fills with new faces, laughter, and clinking glasses, it can all be a lot for a baby. And then for you, when baby has a meltdown. Babywearing gives them a front-row seat to the action without being in the center of it. They can see, hear, and smell everything from the safety of your arms. When it’s nap time, that same closeness helps them rest easily, surrounded by the sounds of your family.

You might also notice that wearing your baby makes you feel more relaxed. There’s no need to pass them from person to person, no scramble to find a quiet room when they get fussy. And for those moments when the noise feels like too much (for either of you), you already have an easy way to step out for a quiet breather together.

At its heart, babywearing during parties isn’t really about logistics. It’s about connection. It’s a way to bring your baby into your traditions, to let them experience the warmth and vibrance of your world from the safest possible place: right in your arms. In just a few short years, baby will be confidently running around and engaging with friends and family, and you're paving the way for that to happen now.

Think of all the sensory magic your baby experiences this season: the smell of cinnamon and roasted apples, the glow of candles, the hum of familiar voices. Wearing your baby lets them take it all in gently, with your attention and guidance.

You can invite them into the experience by narrating what’s happening:

     “Do you smell that, sweetheart? That’s the cookies we made together.”
     “Listen…that’s Grandma’s laugh! She’s telling her favorite story again.”

Because babies know when you're speaking to them versus around them, baby-directed communication tells them they're involved, they're an essential member of the family, and a part of the celebration, too.

These small connections make big memories. They’re how your baby learns what family feels like: how warmth, rhythm, and love sound and smell and move.

Whether you’re sautéing onions or hosting a dinner with all those second and third cousins, or your friends, keeping your baby close can turn ordinary moments into something shared and connected.

This holiday season, when the kitchen fills with noise and the air smells of cinnamon, take a moment to breathe in the warmth of the relationship you’re creating: you, your baby, and the life you’re building together.