Tips for Ensuring Your Little Ones Sleep Well During the Holidays

Travelling with a little one during the holidays can feel overwhelming; different beds, time zones, and stimulation everywhere from people and events. But with a few adaptable strategies, you can preserve your child’s sleep foundations wherever you are and reduce your sleep anxiety.

Bring Positive Sleep Associations

Think about recreating the sleep environment you have at home by bringing yoru child's sleeping bag, comforter, dummie (if using) and white noise. If you're borrowing a porta-cot, bring the sheets from home for the familiar smell, and if you're unsure about the darkness of the room, foil or portable blockout blinds work a treat!

Replicate your Wind Down Sequence

Even a condensed version of what you do at home will help send those familiar signals to your child that it's time for rest. Dark-ish room, white noise, above associations, a cuddle and song are all you need. Expect to use a bit more assistance to get to sleep in an unfamiliar environment. Don't expect full self-settling from your little one.

If Travelling, Plan around Nap Times

If you've got to drive a few hours to get to your destination, try to time this with your little one's nap so they can get the rest they need, and take rest breaks for everyone to stretch their legs. Snacks, mess-free activity books and getting your children to choose a box of toys for the car can work wonders if you're trying to avoid screen time (no shame if you do!). Chewy snacks for airplanes can work well to help prevent blocked ears. Use the pram and carrier as your best friends during travel too - the younger the child, the more portable!

Lunch Commitments

If you've got a boozey long lunch on, see if your child will have a longer morning nap, as I wouldn't expect them to have a lovely long midday nap when you're out and about. Plan for your child to sleep 1 sleep cycle when out, which may mean an extra afternoon nap that day. Maybe they'll nap in a friend or family member's arms and you'll be able to enjoy your prosecco!

Dinnertime Outings

If you've got an evening commitment on, let your child sleep extra during the daytime to help with a later bedtime. Do dinner and bath for your little one before you head out, and pop them in some cute pyjamas to go out in - this will help with less fluffing about when you get home. If they fall asleep while you're out, that's fine, just do quick nappy change and top-up feed when you get home, and expect them to need extra help to get to sleep. If they're still awake by the time you're heading home, do the feed and nappy change before you jump in the car, crossing your fingers for a successful transfer.

Keep your Expectations Realistic

Let me help ease your mind with a few things. When you're out, or if you're coming home after an outing, your little one will need some extra help getting to bed if they're a bit over tired or overstimulated - this is okay, we don't expect self-settling champions all the time. I always encourage families to relax during the day and achieve naps however is needed, but to try and keep bedtimes relatively regular, and when in doubt, 'early bed for the win!' (my favourite motto). It's more important that you're not a chaotic mess stressing about sleep when you're out, as your little one will pick up on your vibes and join the chaos. Have a plan B in your head ready to go.

One last thing - days/nights here and there won't mess up your whole routine. Children that have an established predictable rhythm to their days are more adaptable to changes and flexibility. So take a load off, let your hair down and enjoy these seasonal events and traditions with your little ones. Just like us, they'll get back into it when the family is ready after the festive season.

If you need some help re-establishing your family rhythm after the holidays, I'd recommend the 1-Week Support Package to get things rolling again.