by Beth McCartney
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by Beth McCartney
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We all deserve a holiday, they are SO important for us to regroup, relax and enjoy something new and exciting. They also allow our kids to experience new things. If you live remote like me, just some yummy food is a luxury let alone a theme park!
A lot of parents worry- what if my baby won’t sleep and we end up back at square one? My advice, don’t let yourself go back to square one, keep consistent with what happens every other night and we should only see some slight resistance to sleep, if any. Lets be real, a new room, new environment, new faces, potential time zone change, thing will be disrupted but if we stay consistent, we see sleep.
Some travel tips are below to help your child continue to sleep well, even on holidays and in unfamiliar territory.
- For the long plane rides, if possible financially, pay for a seat for your baby/toddler even if they are under the age of 1. Otherwise, you can end up very cramped on a full flight with a baby on your lap. Not to mention that you cannot fold your table down, which means mealtimes can be difficult.
- Change to the new time zone before you go. Depending on if you’re going backward/forward in time, your baby might need an extra nap for the day or they might skip a nap. You can do this by 20mins in whatever direction you are heading to (backward/forward)
- As soon as you land, start operating on local time meaning you feed and put baby down for naps when they would typically eat and take naps at home.
- It is very important to follow your normal awake time between naps and bedtime. It is also important to follow your normal routine at bedtime so your baby can recognize all the sleep cues. On the first morning, follow your normal routine at the local time.
- I always recommend taking travel blackout blinds (like GRO blinds or cut costs and buy some aluminum foil). Your baby’s sleep will be a lot better if the room is dark. At your destination, try to get organised as soon as possible. Set up the room to make it as close to home as possible. Settling in will help you remain organised (and sane) throughout your stay.
- Book the right room(s) at your destination. If all of you are going to be in one room, that means no sleep. Consider booking a suite/connecting rooms.
- It is really important you stick to your normal routine and rules. Do not bend the rules just because you’re on holiday. In saying that, enjoy your holiday, a few naps in the carrier or stroller or a few short naps is normal and fine! You are holidays! If you can only keep one thing consistent, then make that the bedtime routine.
Sleep well and enjoy your holiday, you and I both know you deserve it x