Sleep and Travel
Here at Hey Abby Sleep Consulting, it is VERY important to me that families feel freedom around sleep! I want families to have rested babies and enjoy life! And let me tell you, those both can happen!! Yes, traveling can throw some kinks in your baby’s sleep and things won’t be perfect, but with a few tips and planning, both you and your baby can enjoy vacation while getting some rest! In this blog post, I’ll share some valuable sleep tips that will help you and your baby have a comfortable and enjoyable trip!
1. Memories Matter Most
Memories matter most. Yes, if you are exhausted on vacation you won’t have a good time, but don’t sacrifice memories just to get the perfect nap or for fear of “messing up” your baby's sleep. Take the trip. Make the memories. Sleep may not be perfect, but that’s okay because nothing in life is. I am always here to help you get back on track after travel too!
2. Start with an independent sleeper
I cannot stress this enough. When you have a baby who sleeps well, chances are sleep won’t be completely derailed on vacation. They have the skills, their body knows how to do it, and with a few of these other tips, sleep can continue to be solid on vacation! I’d love to help you teach your little one these skills! Email me today!
3. Stick to your routine:
Babies thrive on routines, so it is helpful to maintain some semblance of their regular sleep schedule, even when you're traveling. Try to keep their naps and bedtime around the same times as their typical naps and bedtime. With that said, it won’t be always possible, and don’t stress. Enjoy the moment, get a nap in when you can, and do an early bedtime to help prevent overtiredness when appropriate!
ALSO–having an established bedtime and naptime routine can greatly help your baby with sleep on vacation! Even if the timing is off a little, the familiarity of the routine will help the baby sleep better. A consistent bedtime routine can signal to your baby that it's time to wind down and prepare for sleep.Whatever your routine is, aim to stick with it. That will help your baby relax and transition into sleep mode, regardless of where you are.
4. Think about your accommodations
When selecting accommodations, try to think through where you will be staying. What items may you need to help facilitate the best sleep for you and your baby? Will you be sharing a room? Should you bring your own pack-n-play or toddler air mattress? Do you need to pack black our curtains? Slumberpod (I have a discount code: Heyabbysleepconsulting)? One item I ALWAYS pack is an extra extension cord in case there are no plugs close enough to where my baby sleeps to plug in the monitor and sound machine!
Here’s my own personal checklist for traveling and sleep: (mostly amazon affiliate links but I truly use all these products)
slumberpod (code: Heyabbysleepconsulting) for $10 off!
monitor (we like to bring our Nest cam as a monitor so we can sit out on the porch or be slightly further away and trust the monitor will reach since it’s wifi!)
hatch sound machine (for big boys)
black out curtains (for big boys) (trash bags also work great—I use painter’s tape to attach to walls!)
5. Bring Familiar Sleep Items
Pack your baby's favorite sleep items, such as a beloved blanket, stuffed animal, or pacifier. Also, don’t forget the sound machine! These familiar objects can provide comfort and make unfamiliar surroundings feel more secure, aiding in a better night's sleep. Another great item to consider when traveling is a Slumberpod! Use HEYABBYSLEEPCONSULTING for $10 off your order!
6. Consider Jet Lag:
If you're crossing time zones, it's important to be mindful of the potential effects of jet lag on your baby's sleep. Babies typically recover from jetlag quicker than adults and I recommend using the travel day (which can feel kinda crazy!) to help baby adjust. Be mindful of baby’s waketime windows and sleepy cues. Aim to adjust to the new time zone as quickly as you can while being mindful of your baby’s sleep needs. I also think starting with an independent sleeper makes traveling across time zones much easier! (so see number 2!)
If you are traveling to a different time zone that is just an hour or two different and you will not be gone for very long, you may consider leaving baby’s body clock on your usual time zone. This may mean a little earlier or little later bedtime depending on which direction you are traveling. (West to East is usually a little easier and allows for a “later” bedtime while feeling like regular bedtime to your baby). If you are traveling East to West, try adding in an extra catnap in the evening to help bridge to a regular bedtime if needed.
7. Plan for Nap Times:
I don’t want your whole vacation to revolve around naps, but if you can aim for one good nap a day, that will help everyone’s mood! Keep in mind your baby’s waketime windows and still aim to get him or her naps throughout the day, but feel free to do some naps in a carrier, stroller, or in arms while relaxing on the beach.
8. Expectations are everything
Remember that traveling can be overwhelming for babies (and parents!!), and they (and us!!!) may take some time to adjust to new surroundings. Stay calm and patient, as your stress or frustration can affect your baby's sleep. Keep in mind that it's normal for their sleep patterns to be a bit off while traveling, and they will eventually settle back into their routine. I truly think expectations are everything. Set your expectations low and the only place to go is UP!
So in conclusion, traveling with a baby can present some challenges, but the memories are always worth it! Spend some time before the vacation thinking about what you can do to help baby get the best rest possible, have realistic expectations, control what you can, and let go of what you cannot. By maintaining routines, creating a familiar sleep environment, and being mindful of your baby's needs, you can help ensure a smoother transition and a more enjoyable travel experience for the whole family. Hope you guys have a great summer of memory making!
As always, I am only a click away if you need help resetting once back from vacation!