Summer Sleep Tips
SCHOOL’s OUT FOR SUMMER….
Okay, now that I have screamed my favorite Alice Cooper song, let’s chat about finding, or keeping, sleep in the Summer.
Sleep, no matter who you are, is a vital matter to all of our lives. Summer time sunshine and long days can be a great way to enjoy a tad bit of freedom, but ensuring sleep is happening is still important for you, and your little ones.
I know within my own family, Summer seems to be the time where we have multiple off days within the same week. There is just so many different activities that we want to enjoy, as a family, compared to other seasons.
If you, like our family enjoy the busy, fun packed Summer days then, this is just for you!
Let’s chat Sleep Training. Sleep Training, for so many families, is terrifying because they believe they are forever tied to their homes. Though Sleep Training your child can feel that way, it should not. Rather, Sleep Training should provide you and your little one with the confidence that Sleep can happen anywhere, as long as their safe sleep environment is provided. Sleep Training is not supposed to set you up for failure, but rather a motherhood of sleep success.
How does having a child with a great sleep foundation help with Summer activities? They quickly learn that sleep is important and necessary. Throwing a pack n play, blackout shades, and sound machine in their aunt Lucy’s master bathroom is of no concern. They know, it is time to sleep!
So below you will find all the tips on how my husband and I find sleep on off days or out of routine days.
No matter what there are three main necessities for finding and keeping sleep in the Summer. That is having a good sleeper, preparing the good sleeper and always being prepared for off days.
First things first,
Bag full of sleep items:
We keep a bag loaded in our car that has all of the sleep necessities. Within that bag is a sound machine, pajamas, diapers, underwear, blackout shades, portable fan and toiletries. This sets our family up for success, so we are never rushed away from family gatherings, birthday parties for little’s or oh crap naps on the go. With this bag full of sleep items, you have a bag full of items that have prepared you and your little one for an either expected or unexpected nap/night away from their own bed.
2. Friends and Family who are supportive:
Never missing a nap or rushing home for a bedtime can soon aggravate many family members and friends. Though it is your life, it is always great to prepare your family and friends if missing naps and bedtimes all in one day is not something you are willing to do. For me, I always send messages to friends who invite us over for their children’s birthday parties that we will be there, but during the party we will need a space for our little to take a nap. If it is a family gathering that starts immediately at nap-time we alert our family that we will either show late or arrive early, to have enough time for naps at their home.
3. Activities at other homes during naps and bedtime:
If you are enjoying activities a friend or family’s homes then, it is always best to prepare your child and yourself by arriving at their home before the actual nap time. Arriving at the time of nap, and then, trying to lay your child down will have them in major FOMO (This is disregarding babies under 5 months). When arriving to their home 45-60 mins earlier than the scheduled nap time your child will feel more prepared to then, take a nap. Same with bedtime. If the room where they will be sleeping is set up as their usual dark, cool, white noise environment, sleep will continue.
4. Trips near the water, or away from access to safe sleep environments:
This can seem to be the trickiest way to get your little one to sleep and will probably be the hardest. So, having no expectations and full grace with yourself, and your little one is necessary. Be okay, with helping your little one get to sleep. So, if that means cuddles, rocking or carrier naps for the day, then, that is how you get some sleep for them. If your child has an amazing sleep foundation then, this out of routine experience will not ruin that foundation. Enjoy the cuddles. Always, always, use a sound machine. Have it readily accessible wherever you are. A thirty-minute nap is always more restorative than no nap. Enjoy the day and offer an earlier bedtime.
5. Activities after bedtime:
If 6pm-7pm seems to be your child’s bedtime then, Summer nights can feel so rushed. Especially when most activities do not even begin until 7, or later. This is a time to consider having a later bedtime, not pushing past 8:30 or, just enjoying an off night, and getting back into a pretty strict routine the next three days.
Some of the major tips here are, if the child is still napping, let them nap longer pushing their wake windows longer for the night. If your little one naps one time a day from 1-3, let them sleep until 3:30-4, if they will. For children younger than 6 months, follow their wake- windows and offer naps in the sling, carrier, or stroller. Let them have an extra nap to push their wake window longer. Bedtime routine in the car is the best way to enjoy the later evening, but not rush home. Have an extra water bottle in the car with a washcloth and provide the child with a, “washcloth” bath and then, put on fresh pajamas. Let them fall asleep in the car and transfer them over into their cribs. Some will wake and stir, and some will stay asleep. Be ready to continue with their typical routine the following day and offer an early bedtime.
No matter what scenario you are having, know that an unordinary day will not destroy the sleep foundation your little one has. A strict routine for 3-4 days may need to be in place, but sleep will continue.
It is Summer, and I do not want you to miss the memories that are to be created!
For more support reach out to Brooke, support@therestingbee.com
Rest Bee-utifully,
Brooke
