Throwing first birthday tomorrow, tips?

[Anonymous]

Just looking for any advice you think is important. Some info about the party: We are young first time parents. Party will be all family, it will be DDs 3 aunts, 3 uncles, and grandparents. She is the first grandchild on either side so no cousins. I am getting food from Costco (deli pinwheels, fruit tray etc). Cake and smash cake is ordered (just a simple 1/4 sheet cake). For beverages I got coke and Redds apple ales. The party is at noon. I haven't planned any "activities" since she will be the only baby. Did anyone have a party similar to this? I didn't invite friends because our friends haven't made much of an effort to even meet DD, they are at a different stage in life, my closest friends live in another state. I'm trying to be laid back about the party but I still am a bit nervous of everything running smoothly.

[Anonymous]

Protect your baby’s sleep. Don’t feel any pressure to keep/wake baby up because relatives are there. It’s overwhelming to have so many people wanting your attention. A well-rested baby will handle that better.

[Anonymous]

Forget the "smash cake". So dated and tired. Your friends will roll their eyes at your posted pics.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Forget the "smash cake". So dated and tired. Your friends will roll their eyes at your posted pics.

+1 I learned this the hard way. My SIL groaned and said, "so original" sarcastically. She was right. It was a huge waste of food and the baby HATED it and sobbed. Especially this time of year and in our current cruel climate - no one wants to see another entitled baby playing in food when other babies within a few miles are going to bed hungry.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Protect your baby’s sleep. Don’t feel any pressure to keep/wake baby up because relatives are there. It’s overwhelming to have so many people wanting your attention. A well-rested baby will handle that better.

+1 A first birthday party is essentially a party for grownups. If you have to slip out to put the baby down for a nap, the guests will continue.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Forget the "smash cake". So dated and tired. Your friends will roll their eyes at your posted pics.

+1 I learned this the hard way. My SIL groaned and said, "so original" sarcastically. She was right. It was a huge waste of food and the baby HATED it and sobbed. Especially this time of year and in our current cruel climate - no one wants to see another entitled baby playing in food when other babies within a few miles are going to bed hungry.

Agree about the smash cake but your sister-in-law sounds like a pain.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Forget the "smash cake". So dated and tired. Your friends will roll their eyes at your posted pics.

+1 I learned this the hard way. My SIL groaned and said, "so original" sarcastically. She was right. It was a huge waste of food and the baby HATED it and sobbed. Especially this time of year and in our current cruel climate - no one wants to see another entitled baby playing in food when other babies within a few miles are going to bed hungry.

Agree about the smash cake but your sister-in-law sounds like a pain.

Who are you telling? A serious overly hip pain.

[Anonymous]

Um my baby spent two months at the NICU and the three hour schedule there is totally different. The feeding takes place between an hour and two hours depending on the size of the infant and how many mls. And the babies slept a lot as part of continuing growing. Yet when we were discharged, every single doctor and nurse there told me to feed her when she was hungry because she needed the food.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Um my baby spent two months at the NICU and the three hour schedule there is totally different. The feeding takes place between an hour and two hours depending on the size of the infant and how many mls. And the babies slept a lot as part of continuing growing. Yet when we were discharged, every single doctor and nurse there told me to feed her when she was hungry because she needed the food.

Oh for- no idea how this ended up here as I was replying in another thread! Sorry - carry on.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Um my baby spent two months at the NICU and the three hour schedule there is totally different. The feeding takes place between an hour and two hours depending on the size of the infant and how many mls. And the babies slept a lot as part of continuing growing. Yet when we were discharged, every single doctor and nurse there told me to feed her when she was hungry because she needed the food.

Oh for- no idea how this ended up here as I was replying in another thread! Sorry - carry on.

Please repost on the Babywise thread. One mother really needs to hear this.

[Anonymous]

OP here. My family insists on the smash tradition, and it was free with our cake anyway so I'm going with it for something to do during the party. Agree about the naps.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Forget the "smash cake". So dated and tired. Your friends will roll their eyes at your posted pics.

+1 I learned this the hard way. My SIL groaned and said, "so original" sarcastically. She was right. It was a huge waste of food and the baby HATED it and sobbed. Especially this time of year and in our current cruel climate - no one wants to see another entitled baby playing in food when other babies within a few miles are going to bed hungry.

OP should just skip the part a 1 year old won't care and her friends and family don't need the food. They should donate the food to an organization that helps the less fortunate. Actually, they could probably pass out the sandwiches themselves as the weather is nice tomorrow.

It's too late for tomorrow, but I encourage people to make 1st birthdays giving [arties you can have guests bring food items, diapers, wipes, clothes,toys etc. that you give to organizations that provide for needy babies.

[Anonymous]

just have fun with your family!

[Anonymous]

Op, ignore these spoilsports above -- you sound super prepared, it will be a blast -- do you have sparkling water, iced tea for non soda people?

And even if we didn't have smsh cakes when we were kids, our parents still took pics of us smashing our slice of cake or whatever.

[Anonymous]

I have four kids. The pressure of the big 1st party is mind numbing to me. Agree with PP, enjoy your family.