Baby Sleep Tips For Summer Holidays and Travel
It’s completely normal to worry about how your baby’s sleep will fit into a holiday, especially if you’ve had a rocky time getting to where you are now. Let me reassure you: if your baby’s sleep worsens on holiday, you’re not going backwards. Sleep is never linear, and it’s very common for sleep to appear to worsen when a baby is away from the comforts of their own home. It may be exhausting for you, but once you’re back to familiar surroundings and routines, your baby’s sleep will soon be back on track.
Baby sleep can go one of three ways while you’re away: stay the same, have a few hiccups, or even get better. So much of this is due to temperament. Some babies aren’t fazed at all by change—in fact, they can thrive on it—whereas minimal changes can unsettle others. So please don’t blame yourself if sleep takes a hit. It’s not your fault; you’re not doing anything wrong. Blame the genes!
When we had our first holiday with our first baby at five months old, she slept so well at night that I was convinced somebody had switched babies on the plane! But, once home, normal service resumed! However this was an exception, in general all four of my children slept badly the first night or two in a different environment, as I do, so don’t be surprised if this is the case for your little one. We all need to feel safe, secure, and comfortable to fall asleep, and it can take a while to feel that in an unfamiliar place.
Top Tips for Holidays and Baby Sleep
Lower Your Expectations
Now, lower them again! Naps will most probably not be at the same time, in the usual location, or last the usual length of time. Bedtime will most likely be variable too. As a first-time mum, I was pretty fixated on my baby’s naps—timing and length were very important to me. I was that deranged-looking woman pacing up and down with my baby in her pram! With my second, I was far more relaxed, and in all honesty, some of her best sleeps were when she was being held in someone’s arms at the meal table, amidst all the hilarity!
Travelling
Now wouldn’t life be so much easier for us parents if flights fit in with our little one’s usual schedules, but that’s rarely the case, right?! When it comes to naps, you have options: try to squeeze in a nap before travelling, especially if you think your little one will struggle to sleep on the plane. However for some littlies, the noise of the plane acts as white noise, so if that’s the case with your baby keep them awake until you’ve boarded. Or just go with the flow—a good option if you have a laid-back baby. Some babies thrive on the excitement and new experiences of travel, adjusting their sleep patterns easily and loving all the attention. Others struggle with even the tiniest change in routine. Do what suits your baby best. Remember, there is no right or wrong approach, just what is right for your baby.
If you’re hoping for your little one to nap on the plane, pack all the ‘stuff’ you think will help in your hand luggage. Dress your baby in layers, as planes can range from almost arctic conditions to stiflingly warm. And if the nap doesn’t go according to plan, just focus on the fact you tried—that’s all anyone can do.
A good tip, especially if you have an active toddler, is to factor in a good run-around before you board the plane. Not only will it release some pent-up energy, but if you’re hoping they will nap on the plane, it will hopefully tire them out successfully! When our first daughter was young, many airports we flew from or transferred at had indoor play areas, which were absolute godsends!
Adjusting to Time Zones
As parents, we tend to stress about this, but try not to get too worked up. My advice is on landing, try to work to the new time as soon as you can. This may mean putting in an extra nap, (which you may need to cap to prevent a wakeful one during the night!) so your baby makes it through to bedtime. Of course the difference in time zones you’ll be adjusting to will play a part in how quickly you all adapt. Expose your baby to as much daylight as possible and get out first thing in the morning to help reset their circadian rhythm. You’ll benefit too! Don’t be surprised if your baby wakes more in the night, has false starts, or early morning wake-ups. As adults, we struggle to adapt to a new time zone, so of course, your baby will most likely be the same.
Sleep Space
Once at your accommodation, I’d make setting up your baby’s sleep space one of your first jobs. If you can, introduce your baby to it while they’re still awake and alert. If you can follow your normal bedtime routine, with the usual sleep environment set up if possible, these familiar cues will signal to your baby that it’s time for sleep, even if the environment is quite different. With my four children, I always found the first night rather rocky, but things generally then settled down.
What to Pack for Sleep
If you can bring some bedding from home, the familiar smell and texture should help your baby feel more comfortable and settled. Also, if you’re planning on using a travel cot, consider packing a mattress topper. The bases of those travel cots can be awfully hard! We experienced many unsettled nights, I’m sure, due to that!
A travel blackout blind, in my opinion, is an essential bit of travel kit! We’ve been amazed at how many places we’ve stayed at have zero curtains or curtains so thin you could shoot peas through them! If your baby is used to having white noise, pack a mobile unit.
Pack small plastic stacking pots—they’re an easily transportable toy that doubles as a bathtime toy. Also, pack a couple of favourite bedtime books, cuddlies, dummies, sleeping bags, or whatever else is essential for your baby’s bedtime.
Naps
When it comes to napping, your baby may struggle, especially if you’re out and about during naps. If you can, just go with the flow! There’s a high probability naps will happen at different times, in different locations, and for different lengths of time. Don’t worry if routines do get a shake up. Remember it’s only temporary and you will get back on track once home. However if sticking to the usual napping routine will make you far less stressed then give a shot! There is no wrong or right way, whatever suits your family and helps you all get the most out of the holiday.
And of course your baby’s temperament and how your baby usually naps, will play a big part in how you approach the napping game. If your baby is used to naps on the go, there shouldn’t be too much disruption. However, if your baby takes all their naps in a cot, naps may go adrift if you’re on outings. If you think this may be the case, try practising one nap a day in a carrier or pram before you go away.
If you think your baby will struggle with naps while you’re away, aim for one decent nap a day. And if you have a bad day of naps with a cranky baby, it’s not the end of the world—your baby isn’t broken! Stay calm, and you might find that within a day or two, they will adjust to the new norm. New surroundings and new experiences can wear out our little ones!
Remember this: your job is to offer the nap with the sleep environment as conducive as possible. It’s your baby’s job to decide whether to take it or not! You cannot make them sleep, even when you know they really need to.
Bedtime
If it suits you and your baby, stick to your usual bedtime routine, especially if you think your baby will be a mess of emotions if you don’t! But don’t be fearful of stepping out of the usual routine. That’s what holidays are all about. You may find that the odd late night is fine, and some babies will be okay with late nights every night. Temperament is a big factor, again! It’s always temperament, isn’t it?! Our first baby would happily stay up late (she is naturally an owl!) and luckily for us, she would sleep in later in the morning. Our second is the opposite. She struggled to stay up late and whatever time she went to bed, she’d be up with the lark! I believe the actual routine of the bedtime is more important than specific timings whilst away. Those sleep cues, like story and milk, signal to your baby that it's bedtime. I’m not saying follow the routine to the rule. You can skip a few bits or shorten it, but keeping to the rough outline helps your little one settle down for the night.
Evening Meal
For many of us, sharing a meal with family and friends is the perfect end to a busy day. But with a baby in tow, it can be stressful. There is no right or wrong way to approach this. You know your baby best, so do what you feel is best. You can stick to your baby’s usual mealtime and bedtime or go for a later evening meal.
Feed before you head out, pop them in PJs, and get them to sleep in a pram or carrier before you leave, on your way, or later during the meal. Fingers crossed they sleep so you can enjoy your meal in peace! Or feed them during your meal and then get them off to sleep in a pram, carrier, or your arms once they’re showing signs of being tired. Like a lot of parenting, it’s going to be a case of trial and error. Don’t be surprised if what worked one evening doesn’t work another!
Final Thoughts
Finally, please don’t worry or stress if the routine goes completely out the window. Naps may go to pot, bedtimes will be all over the place, and let’s not talk about the bed-sharing which you swore would never happen! In all seriousness, I firmly believe that holidays are the time to ‘break the rules.’ It’s all about having the best time. From my experience, babies seem to know and accept that things may be different in different places or when they’re with different people. Things will settle down, long before you’ve got all that damn sand out of the socks! Why is it always the socks?!
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