The thoughts of just staying home creep in even more…

The answer is maybe, maybe staying home would keep things simple, but guess what… let’s think about those sweet memories that can be created. Let’s pull a pen and paper out now and discuss what is really needed when it comes to ensuring your child still receives their best sleep even when they are away from their bed at home.

Now that we have a pen and paper ready to document all the necessities for the family trip approaching let’s start out by writing the most important sentence in BIG BOLD letters, at the top… HAVE NO EXPECTATIONS. This may seem hard, especially for the type A moms like me, but it is needed. Those long beach days, late pool nights and jumping in and out of the car is over in this season of life, but I hear it will return. Or maybe, it’s not technically over… it just looks a tad different.

Alright, here we go. If you have a little one 0-4 months your list, for getting great sleep away from home, includes the following:

Safe Sleep Space
Feeding Supplies
Diaper/Wipes
Sound Machine
Dark Shades
Monitor/Camera

During naps, if they are on-the-go or, outside of the crib just ensure that they are safely sleeping. Always place the baby on their back in a safe sleeping space with no other items.

For bedtime and nap-time, mimic the bedroom environment that they have at home. Ensure that their safe sleep space is set up, and their sound machine is ready to be used and the room is completely dark. Black out shades are the best for babies under four months, aluminum foil is cheap and works great! Even better if there is a walk-in closet you can shove them in.

For ages 4-6 months (or those on 3 naps) and ages 6-12 months (or those on two naps) bring the following to receive the best sleep away from home:

Safe Sleeping Area
Sleep Sack
Sound Machine
Slumberpod (or black out shade of choice)
Bedtime Routine Items (book, loves for over 12 months, bath items)
Feeding Items
Diaper/Wipes
Monitor/Camera

THREE NAPS

During the 3-nap stage ensure that you are still following wake windows (see free wake-window download). Following appropriate wake windows, even while on a family trip is important to beat the over-tired crankiness. Try your hardest to get 1-2 solid naps in a day and have the last nap an on-the-go or outside of their safe sleeping space.

TWO NAPS

During the 2-nap stage ensure that you are attempting to get them to fall asleep at their appropriate nap times. IF you can bank on one solid nap in their sleeping area and then, having the second nap on-the-go or missed, and an early bedtime.

Know that the first few days could be hit or miss due to the fact of being in a new area and the excitement of the new place. Follow through with the sleep techniques that you have put in place and keep things in routine.

Mimic the sleeping area. This could look like, but is not limited to a safe sleeping area with a slumbered covering the pack-n-play or travel crib. Our family has resorted to all types of room darkening areas including a master closet on spare bathroom. You use whatever will work.

Try your best not to rush into their area to settle them if they are having night waking’s. A lot of people mention not wanting to wake the guest, but honestly, they’re going on a family trip with children, they can get over it.

If your little one can’t seem to settle, and you need to go check in on them, that is fine. You will not mess up their sleeping habits. Remember this is different for everyone and sometimes they just need you to reassure them that they can do it.

If, it is an off night try and ensure one or two naps are solid in their sleeping space and consider an earlier bedtime if they are having a rough day.

If not, just know when you return home…be strict with the bedtime routine and sleep techniques used to get them to sleep. A family trip will not create a disaster, maybe just a disruption.

ONE NAP

Families who have children who are on a one nap schedule, this may be the trickiest schedule to adjust to.

Plan to bring the following:

Safe Sleep Space
Sound Machine
Sleep Sack
Potty Items (Travel Potty/Underwear)
Monitor/Camera
Slumberpod (Blackout Shades/Aluminum Foil)
Bedtime Routine Items
Regular Sleep Items (Snuggy/Pillow)

My best suggestion at this age is to plan morning plans, come home for a nap and then, have afternoon plans and push bedtime later to not rush back to do bedtime.

If you are going to be out past bedtime routine time then, pack some pajamas in a car with a wash cloth and bottle water. Complete the bedtime routine in the back of the vehicle and discuss with them (20 months and older) that when they get home they will get straight into bed.

Mimic the sleeping area for them to make them feel as at home and comfortable as they can be. Ensure the room is pitch black and there is no light shining through, have their sound machines ready to go and their snuggy/pillows (if age appropriate).

NO NAP

Families who are traveling with children 3 and older, or on no nap have the most flexibility and have reached my favorite stage for family trips! There is so much new freedom in this stage and the new memories that are about to be made are going to be life changing!

Plan to have the following items:

A safe bed to sleep in. (toddler blow up-mattress/cots)
Room darkening shades (cots fit in Slumberpods too)
Sound Machine
Pajamas
Pillow/snuggy
Bedtime Routine items (Books, Coloring books, quiet time items)

My biggest suggestion for this age group is to either have a quiet time some point in the day, or an early bedtime to offset the hustle and bustle. There is freedom either way and no contemplating leaving your plans for a nap or trying to sneak a nap in where you are.

Room Sharing with siblings:

Ensure the room is dark.
Have multiple sound machines.
Consider the youngest being laid down first.
The oldest being laid down second (or whomever is the one to fall asleep the fastest).
Consider a Slumbered for one or both.

Again, my biggest suggestion is to follow the BIG BOLD letters at the top of your list, Have No Expectations.

Sleep will look different, but it should not be a disaster. If your little one only sleeps 10.5 hours instead of 12, that’s okay! We know how to get them back on track when home from the family trip!

IF sleep is a mystery even when you are home, let’s book a FREE call.