Baby Sleep & The Holidays
Holidays are so much FUN but they are also overstimulating and can really impact your baby’s sleep! Therefore, for my family, part of enjoying the holidays is keeping our boys on their schedule and getting the right amount of sleep to avoid crankiness and them being overtired!
Here are some tips for maintaining your baby’s sleep habits around the holidays:
If you’re traveling a short distance by car:
If your baby is on multiple naps, plan to leave your house during a nap so baby can sleep in the car. When you arrive you can feed him/her. Plan to bring a pack and play, white noise, room darkeners.
If you do not have a slumber pod /traveling shades, you can easily put aluminum foil / garbage bags or blanket on the windows or just put the pack n play in a master closet that doesn’t have windows!
If you have a tiny babe, plan to wear them for their nap (and bonus, this can give you some quiet time away from the crowd too).
If your child is on one nap, you can plan activities before or after the nap, or bring their sleep stuff with you.
** for babies on multiple naps, I would recommend having the first nap at home, so you know you had 1 quality nap! **
Multiple Stops?
If you are traveling for the holidays and making multiple stops, just plan your day around their schedule. Try to make your traveling time during their nap times! This will also work great for babes who are on 1 nap! Go to your first stop in the morning, leave during nap, get to your second stop!
Yes, your babe will not have as much sleep but at least they are getting some rest and you can potentially do an earlier bedtime. If you can’t, it’s one day and it’s worth the memories/time spent with friends and family.
Do you have family ./ friends who do not understand your schedule?
If you are like me, you will have family who will say “it is the holidays!!! He is fine, let him stay up!!” For me (and my anxiety) that was never an option when they were really young. Keeping my boys up always meant early mornings and screaming bedtimes! THEY are happier when they sleep - WE are happier when they sleep!
Tips:
⁃ Tell your family / friends ahead of time of your schedule… tell them that you plan to have your child nap there at this time.
⁃ If you have a toddler who you know will NOT nap, plan to leave early for an early bedtime!
You know what works best for you and your family— no one else. You can very simply say, “This is what works for them!” and leave it at that. You don’t have to justify anything.
And it’s also okay if you want to push the boundaries sometimes— especially if you’re dealing with some sleep perfectionism.
If you’ve recently traveled, had a lot of “off” nights, and are struggling to get back on track, set up a basic chat with me to get a plan of action.
xo, Jenna
