A baptism is one of the most important and emotional days of your life as a parent. Surrounded by family, godparents and friends, your baby enjoys a truly special day that will surely remain in everyone's memory. However, as beautiful as the event is, the reality is that it can also be quite stressful, especially since you want everything to go perfectly.
One of the most important priorities on the big day is the peace and comfort of your little one. Many mothers worry about how their baby will react both during the baptism ceremony at the church and at the after-party. Don't worry, you're not the only one who has gone through or is about to face such an experience!
Because you deserve a lot of help, especially at the beginning of your journey, we've gathered some advice from other moms who have recently gone through this experience. Below, you'll find some ideas and tips on how to calm him down or whether it's worth following the traditions of the next day, all to give you the necessary support you need.
Preparing for the day of baptism: how to reduce stress
First, it's important to recognize that the emotions you're feeling are normal. It's natural to worry about how your little one will react to church, wondering if they'll cry, sleep, or calm down in your arms. The first and most important rule? Don't get overwhelmed! Many moms say that the most important thing is for you to stay calm because your little one will definitely sense your mood.
A common piece of advice among mothers is to try to keep your baby close to you before you leave, possibly at your breast or in your arms. Breastfeed or bottle-feed him, change him into comfortable baptismal clothes, and make sure all his needs are met. A well-fed and rested baby is more likely to be calm during the service.
Another important detail to consider is to talk to the godmother in advance about how the service will go. Even though one of the godparents' responsibilities is to hold the little one, if the baby gets restless you can always hold him or calm him down. Most of the time the priest will understand. After all, this is a small soul in a new environment and surrounded by unknown people.
Last but not least, you can also consider the option of a pair of special baby headphones. Many mothers say that they were saved from continuous crying and were finally able to calm their little one. The noise in the church, the large number of unknown people talking around him or music can be disturbing for a newborn, which is why headphones of this kind can work wonders.
Techniques to calm the baby during the ceremony
The most difficult moment is definitely when the baby is undressed for immersion in the baptismal font. The cold environment, noise and strange hands can be a stressful combination for anyone, but especially for babies. Here are some "tricks" you can try:
it White noise - there are apps or playlists on YouTube with white noise (sea waves, hair dryer, rain, heartbeat). If you've noticed that your little one calms down at home with such sounds, prepare your phone in advance.
it Favorite blanket – bring a blanket that your baby sleeps with at home. The familiar smell can calm him in an unfamiliar space.
it Favorite toy - a toy can keep him company and can also help him focus on something familiar and ignore his surroundings.
it Hold your baby to your breast if you're breastfeeding – many mothers have said they've managed to avoid crying spells by offering their baby their breast even when they're in church. Don't be shy! It's natural, it's normal, and no one will judge you for wanting to soothe your baby.
it Always have a bottle of milk ready if you are not breastfeeding. Hunger is one of the most common triggers for crying during baptism.
We know it's difficult, but it's important to accept that no matter what method you try at this time, there's a chance your baby won't stop crying. This is a natural and normal reaction, although it can be very stressful for you. So, relax and enjoy the ceremony with your loved ones.
Second day traditions - the myrrh bath and its meaning
The day after the baptism has a special symbolic charge. "The removal of the anointing oil", as the people say, is the moment when the godparents come to the baby's home and wash him in water containing various objects with special meaning. To this are added, according to tradition, basil, milk, honey, rice, a wedding ring, a silver coin , flowers and other symbols that bring abundance, health and luck.
Some parents feel that this moment can be skipped because it is not an Orthodox tradition, while others respect it with reverence. If you feel that this moment has a beautiful meaning for you, keep it. If not, it is perfectly okay to skip it.
Tips for a successful post-christening party
After church, comes the party. And often, this is where things get complicated. Many moms say the party was the most tiring part for the baby. Noise, lots of people, lots of light, and a messed-up sleep schedule. All of this can lead to a fussy and exhausted baby.
Here are some strategies that can help. When looking for a restaurant, ask if they have a separate room that you can use during the party when you need some peace and quiet, whether it's to soothe, change, or feed your baby.
White noise can also work in this case. Some mothers have gone with a portable speaker or phone and managed to create a quiet corner for sleep. Also, if possible, start the party earlier or respect the baby's routine as much as possible.
And another very important thing to keep in mind is to limit interactions with the crowd. No matter how excited your loved ones are to see them, kiss them, or hold them, this “avalanche” can be too much, not only in terms of the stress that the little one feels, but also in terms of their health. Many mothers have reported that after this day, their babies caught a cold.
So set boundaries in advance and ask relatives to understand that the baby's peace is more important than a picture. Also, if you have someone you know and trust, such as an aunt or grandmother, don't be afraid to leave your child at home or in a separate room with them.
It's important to remember that there is no perfect baptism. With tears or without, with smiles or emotions, with traditions respected or adapted, what really matters is that you were there for your baby, with all your love.
Maybe he will cry at the ceremony and the party, maybe he will sit quietly and be like a little prince or maybe he will only stay at the party for 2 hours. All of these things are normal, so you don't have to feel guilty for the choices you made. Every child is different, and this day is about his spiritual beginning. Enjoy this truly special day with your little one and your family!
