Sleeping Series #3: Vacation and Sleep by Kathy C. of Dreamy Babies

Vacation and Your Child's Sleep

By Kathy C.

www.dreamybabies.ca

Summer is an exciting time for families as they begin to plan for vacation.  While some parents don't think twice about how their child will sleep; for some parents - like myself - it's a source of anxiety.  

Realistically, when you're on vacation, it's hard, if not impossible, to stick to the regular schedule that you have at home.  Planned excursions, family visits or exploring the local area makes it hard to go back and forth to the hotel (or wherever you are staying) to maintain your child's sleep schedule.  Since vacation is a time for fun and really, only a temporary disruption' in your child's schedule, my suggestion is to go with the flow.  Do what you can to get and let your child sleep - if you're out and it's time for a nap, let him nap in the stroller or car.  Try and get him to bed early but if you can’t, put him down for a snooze in the evening if he needs it and then put him to bed when you get back to your hotel.  

Here are some ways to encourage sleep during nap time and bedtime for your children:

Try and plan outings when your child’s naptime begins.  If you’re driving to your destination, try and leave around the time when your child’s nap starts so that he falls asleep in the car.  You can leave a little earlier to give your little one some time to get sleepy and then let him fall asleep.  Even a snooze in the car can be enough to recharge your child’s battery to make it through the day or to the next nap.

If you are planning on going out in the evening, bring your child’s PJs and whatever he usually needs to relax before bedtime.  While it may seem silly at first to have your child in PJs if you’re at a restaurant, it will make things a little easier when it’s time to leave, he falls asleep in the car and you then you just have to transfer him into the crib/bed/playpen.

Try and replicate your child's sleep environment as best as you can.  If you are able to get a crib, bring sheets from home, your child's favorite blanket, pillow or a lovey so that familiar objects and scents are with him during sleep times.  If your child sleeps with white noise or any kind of lullaby music, bring those along.  It will also help drown out external noises.

If a crib is not an option, you can co-sleep.  Make sure the bed has tight-fitted sheets, prepare the area around the bed with any pillows in case your child happens to roll off the bed or place pillows around the edge of the bed to prevent him from rolling.  Avoid any large, loose blankets that your child could get trapped under.  

Try and book a flight at night (your local time) so that when you land, it’s already day time at your destination.

In all likelihood, you are probably going to have to “break the rules” when it comes to sleeping.  If that means lying down with your child until he falls asleep, then so be it.  If that means you have to hold him for naps if you’re out, then hold him for naps.  If that means he wakes up afraid and you have to bring him into your bed or lie down with him again, do it.  You can’t form “bad habits” within a week or two - it takes about a month for habits to form so if you’re only “breaking the rules” for a week or two, it will only take a few days of readjustment when you get back home. 

Thank you Kathy for you wonderful contribution on Everything Mom and Baby!

Now I ask you dear reader, do you have any tales to tell on how you dealt with traveling with baby?