7 Tips for Holiday Sleep Success with Your Child
Maintaining your child’s sleep over the Holidays
All I want for Christmas is …..
Good Sleep!
Ok, That is not how the song goes, but that’s what every single parent in the world wants. Right? Well, keep on reading and subscribe below to download my complete guide, Sleep Tips when Travelling with Kids. It tells you all about long drive trips, airplane trips, room accommodations, changes around naps or late nights and how to be back on track once you are back home.
With the holidays coming up, I know that you might be worried about your little one’s sleep schedule going off track. Don’t worry, you’re not alone. It’s a common concern for many parents, especially when the excitement and travel can be so disruptive. But I’m here to tell you that it doesn’t have to be that way! With some careful planning and determination, you can keep your baby’s routine running smoothly.
There are two major challenges that can affect your toddler’s sleep during the holidays – travel and family and friends. Let’s tackle them one by one.
Travel
If you’re planning to start sleep training your little one but you’ve got a trip coming up soon, my advice would be to wait until you’re back. However, if you’ve already started, don’t worry. While travelling may not be ideal for your baby’s sleep, you can try to maintain some normalcy until you’re back home.
- If you’re driving, try to schedule your driving time around your baby’s nap times. Though it’s not perfect, car naps are better than no naps at all. You could even plan some outdoor activities that coincide with your baby’s awake time so they can get some fresh air and sunshine.
- If you’re flying, it can be tough, but don’t stress too much about it. If your baby doesn’t want to sleep on the plane, it’s okay. Just try to keep them occupied with snacks or toys as much as possible. Pack a bag with their favourite snacks and offer one at a time to keep it interesting. For activities, you can try packing a busy board for infants, colouring kits that are free of mess and super fun for toddlers, and for older kids, you can download their favourite apps. Some of my favourite apps that do not require wifi are Doodle Jump, Toca Life: Hospital, Toca Life: Vacation, and Fiete Math.
3. Once you’ve arrived at your destination, things can get a little tricky. If you’re sharing a room with your baby, it’s essential to try and make it as close to their usual sleeping environment as possible. You could try hanging a blanket, setting up a dressing screen, or even putting your baby in the closet (yes, really!). It may feel a little strange, but a dark and quiet space will help your baby sleep better.
4. Try to resist the urge to use any sleep props, like a pacifier or rocking them to sleep, as this can create a bad habit that’s hard to break.
Download HERE the Travelling with Kids Complete Guide to not
Wreak their Sleep Schedule.
5.It can be hard to say no when family and friends want to play with your little one, but if you want to keep your baby’s sleep schedule intact, it’s important to set some boundaries. Let your loved ones know that baby is in the middle of sleep training, and it’s important to stick to the schedule. You could even let them know when to expect some baby time based on their schedule.
6. Prioritize at least one nap. Having people over means your attention might be spread between hosting and still attending to your child. Although is tricky to keep the same environment when you have people over, try to keep at least one good nap. Do your nap routine as usual, and don’t stress too much if baby is refusing the other naps. You can always move bedtime a bit earlier to compensate.
7. Tackle overstimulation: Kids get super excited when grandparents or their favourite uncle come and visit. Communicate with them and ask them to help you wind them off before bedtime. They could read a couple of books, and you or whoever puts baby in bed can continue the bedtime routine from there.
I know it can be hard to feel judged by family and friends when trying to stick to your baby’s sleep schedule. But remember that you’re doing what’s best for your baby’s health and well-being. You’re a superhero, defending sleep for those who can’t defend it themselves. So, stand tall and don’t be afraid to set those boundaries.
Finally, if things get really out of wack with your child’s sleep, feel free to book me for a FREE assessment or quick consultation.
Follow these tips, and you will be rocking around the Christmas tree. Happy Holidays! You got this!
