How to keep baby and toddler sleep on track while traveling
If you are planning to sleep away from home, here are 5 tips to help keep your child’s sleep on track:
Stick to – and slightly extend – the bedtime routine you normally do at home
I always suggest a 20-30 minute routine for bedtime (the longer end typically includes a feed for babies and a bath). If you’re visiting grandparents or other relatives, there’s a good chance you’re going to have a harder time at bedtime, simply because your little one doesn’t want to miss out on all the fun! What I suggest is adding a few minutes to your normal routine of something calming that you normally don’t do, or usually do for a short time – singing, massage/back rub, etc – to help your child wind down.
Be careful, though, that your child doesn’t get drowsy! You want to put your child in the crib awake, just like you would do at home. (If you’re not doing that yet, I suspect your child is still waking up in the middle of the night? If so, let’s chat and get that fixed!)
Recreate your child’s bedroom atmosphere
If you use a white noise machine at home, bring it along. If you have a toddler clock at home, bring it along. If your child requests the same board book 9 nights out of 10…you guessed, bring it along. Does your child sleep with a favorite lovey? Bring it..and a spare lovey too! (I always suggest having at least two identical ones that you wash and rotate with the crib sheets so they get “loved” equally.)
I would also make sure you have “gear” to cover the windows and get rid of any perimeter light. Sleeping in a new place can contribute to early morning wakings, so we don’t want natural light to contribute to it as well! Aluminum foil and painter’s tape are a quick fix or paper shades work too.
If you’d like to see which items I recommend for white noise, toddler clocks and room darkening shades, visit my Resources Page!
Keep nap and bedtime times consistent
Having a slightly later bedtime one night isn’t too big of a deal, but 3-4 nights in a row will wreak havoc with your child’s sleep. Sticking to their normal sleep times, even in a new environment, will help them fall asleep faster. Remember that they thrive with consistency.
Make sure to get fresh air and physical activity each day
Have you noticed on those icky, winter days when you stay inside and you only get 1500 steps that that night you don’t sleep as well? Fresh air and exercise are so important for sleep, for you and your child! So take them sledding, run through the snow, have a snowball fight if there’s white stuff on the ground, otherwise just bundle up and kick a soccer ball or beach ball or walk around the neighborhood!
Ideally this happens after naptime or well before bedtime so they aren’t over-stimulated, especially if you’ll be offering a cup of hot cocoa or cookie when you get back inside!
Whatever you do…don’t bring your child into your bed!
This is s common occurrence with travel and one that will likely be the cause of a sleep training reboot when you get back home! Once your toddler sees how cozy it is sleeping in the parents’ bed, it’ll be really hard to get them back into their own bed at home without some struggles!
The ideal situation is a crib or pack n play and in a separate sleeping space for toddlers. If everyone will be sharing the same room, have your child’s crib as far away from you as possible and see if there’s a way to create some sort of partition so they can’t actually see you.
If you want even more tips on packing lists, roadtrips, airplane travel, adjusting to different time zones - and optimizing sleep while you’re away from home! - check out my TRAVEL FOR LITTLES GUIDE!
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This post is for informational purposes only and may not be the best fit for you, your child and/or your personal situation. It shall not be construed as medical advice. The information and education provided here is not intended or implied to supplement or replace professional medical treatment, advice, and/or diagnosis. Always check with your child’s physician or medical professional before trying or implementing any information read here.