Baby Sleep and the Holidays

12/01/2015

Baby sleep and the holidays

Everyone knows that December can be a pretty hectic month; work functions, friends’ parties, children’s events, fun outings, visiting with family and travelling. But it is also a time for making unique and fun memories with your children. So to help you get through some of the turmoil Christmas can bring, here are a few tips to help your children get proper sleep while you are travelling to make some special family moments:

1. Before you travel, make sure you have a well-established nap and bedtime routine. When your child knows what is expected of them, they can be more flexible when they are away from home.
2. Bring your child’s sleep “lovey”. Does your child have a safe, favorite stuffed animal, blanket or toy to sleep with? Make sure you bring this as it will provide comfort when they are trying to relax and go to sleep for naps and nighttime. It will also smell like home which will keep them at ease in a different environment.
3. Stick to schedules as much as you can without sacrificing fun! Children enjoy themselves much more when they are well rested; they are more alert, less clumsy and fussy and enjoy new experiences. Try to preserve nap times and bedtimes to ensure they can continue to charm all of your family and friends.
4. Try and plan a good place for your child to sleep when they arrive at your destination. Bringing a bassinet, play pen or portable child bed are great ideas to make sure your child has a proper and safe place to sleep. Arrange for a room in the house that is free from noises and distractions.
5. When you return home from your fun festivities, put the kids back on to a good routine. It might take a few days for them to unwind from all the fun they had, but they will fall back into a predictable schedule with your guidance.

At Cave Babies, Infant and Child Sleep Consulting, we understand that great sleep doesn’t always come easily. Call for a free 15-minute preliminary phone evaluation to see if our program is right for your family. Visit us at cavebabies.ca to learn more.