The Holidays are officially among us. I’m sure many of you will be traveling over the next month to celebrate Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Years with family and friends. As parents with young children, the travel can be a little stressful. We have to figure out how our families can enjoy all of the holiday fun and still ensure that the littles are getting the sleep that they need in new and strange environments. Don’t worry…. I’m here to help!
Here are 7 tips to help ensure sure that your little ones get the sleep they need during your travels.
Tip 1: Prioritize good sleep the week leading up to your travels.
No one wants to be stuck in the car or a family-crammed house with an overtired and fussy baby. To avoid this, make sure that your kiddo is well rested the few days leading up to your trip. Put extra effort into a consistent bedtime routine and do not skip naps.
Tip 2: Pack all of the sleep swag
It’s very important that you try and make the sleep environment as consistent at your destination as baby’s bedroom. Update the packing list to include:
Favorite swaddle, sleep sack, or blanket
Your child’s lovey
Noise machine
Monitor
And whatever you need to ensure that the room is DARK. My favorite items for this include the Gro Anywhere Blinds (adjustable curtains that suction cup right onto a window) or the Slumber Pod (this is a little pop up tent that goes right over a pack and play to create a nice, dark space for baby to sleep. If you travel a lot, it’s a must! Use discount code ZenSLumberPod for $10 off). I’d also include some black electrical tape to cover any other lights in the room (power light on the tv, time display on the hotel microwave, etc.)
Anything else you may need….. pacifiers, night lights, etc.
Tip 3: Keep a consistent schedule
Try to be realistic when planning your daily activities. It would be a blast to schedule a Santa visit, shopping, lunch, a sledding adventure with cousins, and swimming at the hotel, etc. But if you have a toddler that is used to napping 2x/a day you may need to set some boundaries and plan accordingly. I know this is a bummer, but this phase will pass, and next year your kiddo will tolerate more and more time awake. You will all enjoy yourselves more if you can keep the OG bed and nap-time schedule as consistent as possible. An occasional nap in the car seat or a later-than-usual bedtime won’t make or break the circadian rhythm, but don’t allow this to happen two or three days in a row. Your kiddo will become so overtired and cranky that a complete meltdown will be inevitable. Remember, overtired children typically sleep worse.
Tip 4: Try to give your little one their own sleep space.
Our littles usually sleep terrible when they can see you. After all, you are their favorite person! If space allows, try to have your kiddo sleep in their own room. Even if this means putting up a Pack’N’Play in auntie’s office or getting some type of suite at the hotel, it will be very helpful when putting your little one down. If extra space is not an option, then create a visual barrier between you and baby so he/she doesn’t get so excited when they see you upon nightly wake ups. (This is where the Slumber Pod comes in handy). Get creative…. think back to your childhood when making forts was your jam! Hang a sheet from the ceiling with 3M Tape or drape a sheet over a couple of chairs, etc. It doesn’t have to be pretty, just make sure your little one can’t see you from their crib.
Tip 5: Be patient as your baby acclimatizes to the new environment
It’s normal for babies / toddlers to sleep very poorly when they are in a new environment. Night terrors are actually a very common thing for my daughter when we travel due to the changes in routine / environment. In a strange place, your baby might cry for a while at bedtime or wake up at odd times during the night. The best way to handle this kind of behavior is to react the same way you would at home. If you have to add a little extra support such as going into the room every five minutes or so to offer some shushing or a kiss, that’s fine. But try to hang on tight to your methods and within the first night or two your child will likely acclimate.
Tip 6: If you’re not a co-sleeping family, don’t start now
Try not to bed share with your babes while traveling, unless it’s an absolute must.
Tip 7: Rule of 3
Now that I’ve given you my “proper” sleep tips, let’s get real! Traveling with kids is harder than hell and no one wants to disrupt the sleep of every other person in the house or hotel. If you have gone through the process of sleep training your kiddo and have to revert to old sleep habits like co-sleeping or rocking your kiddo to sleep for a few nights to get through the weekend, then give yourself a break and do it! My advice is not to let this special treatment surpass 3 consecutive nights, or those poor sleep habits may become habitual again. Do what you need to do to survive the trip and get back on track when you get home. You are a great parent and deserve a high five!
As always, remember that I offer FREE 20-minute Discovery Calls if you are interested in my services.
Now, off you go. I’m sure there is some Hot Toddy waiting for your somewhere.
Happy Holidays!
