Happy November!
I LOVE traveling. We’ve been so many places with our children over the years.
One thing I’ve learned is that traveling with a baby NEVER goes as planned!
Another thing I’ve learned is that traveling with a great sleeper makes it SO much easier.
Normally, after 1 night both of my kiddos adjust to a new environment and sleep amazing, just like at home.
With the holidays fast approaching I thought it would be a good idea to remind parents of some travel tips to remember when you are traveling with little ones.
Gone are the days when you can travel carefree and only take into consideration yourself and maybe your partner.
When planning a family vacation with a little one, it’s important to thing about how your travel plans will affect their sleep.
You’ll enjoy your holiday much more if you plan your trip in a way that honors your child’s sleep with as little disruption as possible to their schedule.
If you do this then your baby will get the rest she needs to be happy and alert for your adventure- which means mom and dad will be happier, too!
Here are some tips to help your baby gets the sleep he needs during your holiday travels:
Tip 1: Don’t over-schedule
One of the biggest mistakes parents make, they try to do just as much as they did in their “child-free” days.
When you travel with a baby, it’s a good idea to not go hiking in the morning, snorkeling in the early afternoon, parasailing in the late afternoon, and go on a late night dinner cruise.
It’s a much better idea to slow down and ensure your baby is getting regular naps and early bedtimes, similar to your schedule at home.
Tip 2: Be consistent with naps and bedtime
Try to stick to your baby’s sleep schedule as much as possible.
An occasional stroller nap or late bedtime probably won’t do too much harm provided your baby is well-rested. But, if you start doing this everyday, your going to have a very cranky baby and you’ll be headed for a meltdown.
Tip 3: Be patient as your baby acclimatizes to the new environment
You might have the best sleeper at home but, when you’re in a new environment it can be an adjustment for everyone. It’s normal for kiddos to have trouble falling asleep in the first few days and even test the boundaries around sleep when traveling.
It’s important to keep expectations the same even when at Grandma’s house!
Be consistent and your child will adjust to the new environment quickly.
Tip 4. Make sure you bring your child’s sleeping toy and/or blanket
If your baby has a lovey or favorite blanket, make sure you bring it. This little bit of comfort and familiarity will go a long way to help baby feel safe and fall asleep easier. Forget it at your peril!
Tip 5. If you’re not a co-sleeping family, don’t start now
Another big mistake parents make is they decide it’s easier to bedshare when they’re traveling. Even a few nights of this and your baby will decide this is the preferred way of sleeping.
You’ll have a huge problem on your hands when you get home and try to put baby back into a crib!
The good news is, most hotels have a crib you can use or rent. You could also take your portable playpen along and use that as a crib.
Traveling can be challenging with kids.
But, I can gurantee that you’ll enjoy your travels MUCH more if your baby is already a great sleeper.
If your baby is having trouble falling asleep at bedtime and not staying asleep all night long, nows the time to teach your baby to be a great sleeper.
My clients tell me over and over that they should’ve hired me sooner!
Book a totally FREE discovery call with me today.
Together, we’ll get your baby sleeping through the night in a few short nights!
Here’s to a well-rested family,
