Motherhood is full of in-betweens. There’s the huge moment when you find out you’re expecting. You plan, plan, plan, take your vitamins, go to all the appointments, plan some more, research and register for all the gear, and then wait. Finally, the baby arrives. And it’s the most intense and sleep-deprived time of your life. You promptly become overwhelmed with decisions and tasks you never imagined would be so taxing.

Five realistic tips for getting through the holidays with an infant.