10 Holiday Sleep Tips for you and baby.

You’ve put in a lot of effort at home to make sure your child gets enough sleep, and now you’re about to go on holiday, which could very likely disrupt that “sacred” routine.

Maybe you’re a Type-A mom who finds the prospect of holiday nerve wrecking? Don’t be discouraged if the routine you’ve worked on all year is affected while you’re gone.

We know you deserve a break! So we’ve got some great holiday sleep tips to help you have fun in the sun while still maintaining your sanity and getting enough rest. Having a baby shouldn’t stop you from taking that long-awaited vacation!

The good news is, all will not be lost! Go out, make memories and try follow our…

10 expert recommendations to avoid holiday sleep deprivation:

1. THE ESSENTIALS: Every mom knows travelling light is not an option with a baby, here is a list of the bare minimum we would recommend taking with you for good holiday sleep. _________________________

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2. Plan ahead: Travel during nap times and arrive at least an hour before bedtime. If you’re travelling all day, accept that your baby may take many short naps and adjust bedtime accordingly. Make extra stops to feed, play, and let baby kick freely. (Wondering about Routines, check out our Bundle) __________________________________________________
3. Have a low-key day after travelling and get back on track with their routine so baby can catch up on lost sleep and adjust to their new surroundings. __________________________________________________
4. Create a familiar sleep environment and give your little one the best chance to fall asleep. __________________________________________________
5. Own room: First prize if your baby can sleep in their own room on vacation. If not, explain this new holiday sleep favor (baby sharing your room) to your child and things will return to normal when we get home. Even when room sharing, maintain loving boundaries. A clever room divider could also be useful. __________________________________________________
6. Dark Room: Make the room as dark as possible with travel blockout blinds or black refuse bags to avoid those early morning hours and the change of the sun setting later than usual ______________________________________________________.
7. White Noise: Use your white noise machine or an app on your phone, remember it should be 60-65 DB loud according to Dr Harvey Karp. ______________________________________________________
8. Soft toy Lovey. In a strange place, your soft toy lovey can be a great comfort. Don’t wash the lovey—it must smell like home. Use your home sheets for baby bedding and don’t wash them before the holiday so they smell like sleep too. ______________________________________________________
9. Prioritize naps, and arrange fun activities around them but…find a happy medium. You don’t need to feel trapped by your child’s naps, but allowing them to only take catnaps or not nap at all during the day can lead to meltdowns and overnight wakings. Some days are dedicated to naps, while others are dedicated to family fun. It is best to balance it out and find what works for you! _____________________________________________________
10. Wind down: A small ritual you do with your child before each nap and bedtime. If your three steps before bedtime are to take your baby to their dark and quiet room, read a book, listen to a song, and have lots of cuddles, this will also help your baby get ready for sleep during nap time. __________________________________________________________________

BONUS TIP – Sleeping bag: Dress your baby for the climate. Having a sleeping sac helps with those cold days and for hotter days. It’s still important to have the temperature at 18-22 degrees if possible. There are various togs available. A sleepy sac can prevent your little one from overheating, or feel too cold and cause wake ups.

**Overheating is not safe for your baby. A sleepy sac also acts as a sleep cue, you can use it to help baby sleep well on an airplane too combined with their lovey.

Your child may need a few nights to settle in. If they are struggling try sitting next to the cot and observe if your child will fall asleep on their own. If your child can self-settle, try only to intervene when necessary.

Still struggling with a routine? Download one here

Extra toddler sleep hacks:

• Take your toddler bed rails that slide easily under a mattress and move the bed next to a wall OR we love this toddler airbed that folds up nicely!
• A late bedtime can catch up with your toddler quickly, so try to stick to a good one.

Let us know if you tried any of these sleepy hacks while travelling in the comments below, or tag us in your holiday sleep adventures!

Happy Holidays

Your sleep sidekicks