| Many parents can barely contain their excitement | | | | eating cake for his big day, do not allow him to eat a |
| when their precious baby's first birthday rolls around. | | | | cake with nuts, honey, or chocolate. |
| It's not unusual for the planning of the party to take | | | | Time the party around your baby's usual routine. |
| on a life of it's own and get a tad bit out of control. | | | | Don't even waste your time trying to get your baby |
| The party should be planned more for the guest of | | | | to agree to a party during his or her usual nap time. |
| honor than for those who will be invited to the big | | | | Also, don't let the party drag on. Enough is enough. |
| event. Here's a strategy that will help to ensure a | | | | An hour or an hour and a half, if baby is doing |
| smooth, happy day for your baby: | | | | particularly well, is about the most you can expect |
| Keep the guest list to a minimum. It would be better | | | | your little one to be able to handle without an |
| for your birthday boy or girl to have two smaller | | | | embarrassing birthday meltdown. |
| parties than to overwhelm him with too many guests. | | | | Clowns, magicians or any costumes of any sort are |
| It's usually best to keep the guest list only to those | | | | really not appropriate for a first birthday party. Fears |
| close family and friends. Don't fill a room with lots of | | | | of strangers are pretty high at this age and the |
| strange faces and expect your baby to be his or her | | | | probability that your baby will wind up being |
| usual cheerful self. | | | | absolutely terrified are pretty high. Also, don't make |
| Keep decorations to a minimum as well. Less is more | | | | your baby be the life of the party either. Forcing him |
| in this case. Too many balloons, streamers, masks, | | | | to show off for family or friends will likely back fire |
| noise makers and the like will only make your baby | | | | on you. Let him warm up to the crowd on his own. If |
| fearful and nervous. Keep it simple. Remember also | | | | you let baby call the shots, he'll probably be a lot |
| that latex balloons are a huge choking hazard and | | | | happier and may even decide to show off on his |
| should not be a part of your baby's party. Mylar | | | | own. |
| balloons would be a much better choice for the big | | | | Be sure to take plenty of pictures to record the |
| day. | | | | event. If you can, get a trusted family or friend to |
| For the eats, avoid foods that are common choking | | | | do the work for you. The party will be over before |
| hazards like raisins, peanuts, popcorn, nuts, hard | | | | you know it and there's nothing worse than realizing |
| pretzels, grapes or hot dogs. Your baby, as well as all | | | | that you didn't get to attend the party yourself |
| children, should only eat while they are seated and | | | | because you were behind the lens of a camera the |
| under the supervision of adults. If your baby will be | | | | whole time. |