Going on vacation? Here’s how to prep for better sleep!
Vacations are wonderful and amazing experiences - to see your kids take in a new environment with new sights, sounds, stimuli can be so fulfilling but also SO exhausting. The good news? You can prepare in advance to build an environment and schedule to support your baby & toddler’s sleep needs while enjoying all that your vacation has to offer. Here’s how:
Research and Scout: Know all there is to know about where you are staying and what your plans are. If you like to plan out your days, ensure you’re building in time for rest and/or naps or make a plan for how your kid will nap on the go. Bringing a travel crib with you is always a good option for consistency, but many hotels and house rentals offer this service for free or for a small fee if you like to travel light.
Meet Your Kid’s Needs: Are they sensitive to light? Message or call in advance to see if your room / house has blackout shades or bring along a SlumberPod or portable blackout curtains. Do they struggle napping on the go? Plan for at least one nap (their main nap) to be in your hotel room / house to ensure they don’t get overtired and struggle at bedtime.
Time Zones & Schedule: Try to determine in advance if you want or need to adjust to your destination’s time zone. If heading west (in USA), it’s often beneficial to adjust to the local timezone and try to do so right away (you can give your baby or toddler an extra late afternoon nap the first day to ensure they make it to bedtime). If heading east (in USA), I often recommend keeping kids on PST (e.g., if their normal bedtime is 7pm, you would put them to bed at 10 p.m. EST / 7 p.m. PST) to avoid having to adjust to a new schedule and make the evenings more enjoyable.
Above all else, go with the flow! Schedule disruptions happen on vacation all the time, so continue to stay flexible. It’s ok if your kid needs extra soothing to go to sleep or takes a super late nap. That’s the joy of vacation! You’ll be able to get them back on track when you return home with memories of your fantastic family vacation.
