So you are off on your summer holiday soon, maybe abroad? somewhere exotic perhaps? or are you off to stay with the in-laws or friends for a few days? or is it a caravan park by the sea? No matter where you go you will have to prepare when you have a little one in tow!
Here are Sweet Little Dream Seekers top tips to make your holiday sleep go smoothly..
- Take a well rested baby on holiday. What I mean by this is , make sure over the days leading up to your break that your little one gets lots of day and night time sleep. So no skipping naps or late bedtimes. Filling up the ‘sleep tank’ will help with the holiday transition.
- Think ahead. Where is your child going to sleep ? Have a plan, so as sleep disruption is kept to a minimum.
- Don’t forget to take the comforter and other bits ‘n pieces that are part of your child’s everyday sleep routine. This will make for a more familiar sleep environment and hopefully smooth the sleep waters. Worth saying that if your little one does not have a ‘comforter’ at this point, that you introduce one, this will help with sleep at home or away. Also a good idea is to take a sheet that smells of home for him to lie on, again the familiar scent may aid sleep.
- If he is of an age that he understands. Talk to him about the holiday sleep plan, where he will be sleeping etc. So, for example, if he is going to be sleeping in the same bed as you , make it clear that this is temporary and when you get home the normal routine will resume.
- Try and stick loosely to a sleep schedule, obviously you are all on holiday to have fun and things will be more relaxed, but your little guy still needs his sleep even when away from home. This will keep him happy and on top form to enjoy the break and it will make the transition back to sleeping at home much easier.
- If you are travelling through time zones. It is worth over the days leading up to the holiday gently starting to adjust his sleeping pattern(by 30 mins or so each day) so as it is more in step with the country you are travelling to. Hopefully having prepared, once arriving, it may take you only a day or so to adjust his sleep to the new time zone.
- Finally, as soon as you return home, put the washing machine on,, pick up the dog from the kennels, water the plants, read the mail and most importantly, get right back into your child’s normal bedtime routine.
Really hope this helps
Happy holidays!
