How to survive a three-course dinner with a baby bump 😅

3 (and a half) smart strategies to make it through the holidays

The holidays are cozy, sparkly, and full of love...
But when you’re pregnant or breastfeeding, they can feel a little less magical and a lot more like a marathon in sequins.

Your belly presses against the table, your back starts to protest halfway through the main course, and someone asks for the third time if you’re really not drinking (“just one sip?”).
A three-course dinner with a baby bump (or milk-filled boobs) requires more than a stretchy waistband and a ridiculously comfortable bra.

Sound familiar? Then this one’s for you.
With these three strategies (plus a bonus for the pros), you’ll breeze through any festive family dinner - from gourmet night to glazed turkey - without your bra, bladder, or brain protesting.

1. The Comfortable-at-the-Table Strategy

Christmas is all about being together. But that doesn’t mean you have to suffer through it in an uncomfortable chair.

Start with the chair - and we mean the right chair.
Family dinners often mean mismatched seating: desk chairs, folding chairs, random chairs from the hallway. This is not the moment to be polite.

Claim your spot.
Look for armrests, back support, and preferably something soft underneath (bringing your own cushion? Absolutely allowed - you’ll thank us later).

Then, think about the chair’s location.
A little repositioning is totally fine. You want to be:
✓ Close to the bathroom (obviously)
✓ Far from the raclette or grill (smells, no thanks)
✓ Out of earshot from Uncle Kevin and his classic: “Are you sure it’s not twins? Haha!” (Not funny, Uncle Kevin.)

Now, the outfit.
Forget tight and shiny - think soft, stretchy, and forgiving.
A dress you can breathe, laugh, and sneak in a second dessert in without regrets. Paired with your Feelou® bra, you’ll be the comfiest one at the table.

Pro tip: bring a scarf. Perfect for chilly drafts or a bit of privacy if you need to feed or pump.

And for those keeping the pregnancy a secret:
Quietly check the menu with your host in advance. You know, in case there’s something you “can’t eat because of antibiotics.” 😉
That way, you can sip your mocktail in peace without any awkward questions.

2. The Conversation Escape Plan

There’s one thing no pregnant woman can fully prepare for: the dinner table questions.

“So… do you know what you’re having?”
“Do you have a name picked out?”
“My labour was 48 hours long and ended in an emergency C-section - want to see pictures?”

Enter your secret weapon: the Conversation Escape Plan.

A foolproof strategy for dodging tricky questions, dramatic birth stories, and unsolicited bump jokes. The trick? Gently steer the topic somewhere else before it goes too far.

Try something light like:

• “Okay but… what’s everyone’s guilty pleasure Christmas song?”

• “Who in this family would last the least time on Survivor?”

• “What’s your ultimate holiday movie?”

Within ten seconds, everyone’s talking about Home Alone instead of your hormone levels.
That’s what we call taking back control, while keeping the mood merry.

And if that doesn’t work? Excuse yourself for a “quick bathroom break.”
Those five quiet minutes might just save your evening.

The best part about the Conversation Escape Plan?
It’s not just for Christmas.
It’s a life skill.
One you’ll use again: at baby showers, birthdays, and every time someone gets too excited about your bump.

3. Peak at Your Best (and land softly in your pyjamas)

The ultimate holiday strategy? Knowing when to leave.

Set up a secret signal with your partner. Wheter it's a subtle look, a hair-tie moment, or a gentle tap on the shoulder. Once it happens, you both know: it’s GO time.

And trust us: leaving right before the cheese platter is genius.
No one remembers who skipped the brie, but you’ll definitely remember the joy of slipping into your pyjamas early.

At home, The Great Undoing begins: bra off, pyjamas on, feet up, cup of tea, and blissful silence.
No small talk, no dinner smells. Just you, your baby (inside or outside the bump), and the satisfaction of leaving at exactly the right time.

Bonus: Set up a Pregnancy Lounge

Between the food, gifts, and endless conversations, a short escape can be pure bliss.

Create your own pregnancy lounge: a cozy corner or quiet room where you can breathe, feed, pump, or simply close your eyes. Without Uncle Kevin bursting in with a tray of snacks.

Ingredients:

• A blanket (or that scarf we mentioned earlier)

• Your pregnancy pillow

• A bottle of water

• Your favourite crackers - for when you’re peckish or a little queasy

Five minutes there, and you’re ready to shine again.

In the end

Whether you wrap up the night with dessert, dancing, or a graceful exit, remember: it’s your celebration too.
You don’t have to do it all, eat it all, or stay for it all.

So: Feelou® on, take a deep breath and smile.
You do You - even (or especially) at Christmas.