Trying to encourage the kiddos to go to bed can feel like mission impossible at times, especially when you’re away. For those of you who are lucky enough to be jetting away over the next few months, these tips will make life that little bit easier.
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Let your children nap. An overtired baby will be harder to settle so let them snooze, especially when you’re driving around
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Pack a blanket that they are familiar with for the journey. If your child has a bedtime companion, teddy or soft toy perhaps, ensure this is with you while travelling also. These items from home will help to make them comfortable and feel secure on the move.
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Pack good quality black bin liners and sellotape into your suitcase. A darkened room is essential for sleep as it promotes the production of the sleepy hormone melatonin. Simply stick some black bin liners to the windows and you have DIY black out blinds! You’ll thank me for this tip in the future!
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On the day you arrive ensure your baby gets to bed close to their normal bedtime. This will stop overtiredness setting in, making them even harder to settle. You will see the benefit of this the following day when your child has had a good rest.
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Obviously your baby’s sleep environment will be brand new to them while away, so allow them some time to get used to their new cot upon arrival. Pop some toys in give them some time playing there while you are getting settled in and unpacking the cases!
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Bring your own fitted sheet for the cot. Hotels & other accommodation will provide a cot, if requested in advance, however they may not have an appropriate fitted sheet. This sheet will fit securely to the mattress and will not come loose. Loose bedding is not recommended under safe sleep guidelines.
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Bring your monitor with you if you are not room sharing. It will leave you feeling secure that you will hear or see your baby if they wake and allow you to get a good nights sleep, which is also very important.
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Room sharing on holidays can be hard on everyone if regular room sharing is something you have moved on from. If your baby wakes during the night and is still feeding at night then do your feed as normal & settle your baby back in their cot as normal. If you baby wakes and is no longer feeding at night I would give your child reassurance and return to your own bed. You may need to repeat this a number of times for you child to feel secure in their new environment and return to sleep.
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Holiday time is one for getting out and about and enjoying new experiences. Routine however is very important when it comes to healthy sleep. I would encourage that you try for at least one cot nap a day. That way your child is getting some hard core consolidated sleep that will keep overtiredness at bay. The rest of the naps can be on the go!
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Have fun. If some habits outside of your normal routine start to form while on holiday, don’t fret. By practising a consistent routine and getting back on track as soon as possible when you get home you will have regained the gift of sleep within a couple of days.
