Sleeping Away from Home: Travelling with children, is it possible to nail it?
I know I should have had a word with my friends who are parents before writing this post.
But to be honest, I am quite sure that travelling with babies and toddlers often involves a lot of preparation, research and adapting to new sleep environments.
Preparing for travel with toddlers and babies, especially when it comes to their sleep, requires careful planning to ensure both their comfort and peace of mind.
After all, all children are unique and what can work for one child may not work for another.
In this guide, we’ll explore tips and strategies for ensuring your little one gets the rest they need while away from home.
Whether you’re co-sleeping or using portable cribs, we’ve got you covered.
Creating a Comfortable Sleep Environment
Keeping children’s sleeping patterns during the travel holidays can be a bit challenging. Remember that some disruption in sleep patterns is normal when travelling, and it may take a few days for your child to adapt to the new environment.
The trick is being patient, flexible, and attentive to their needs. But I can imagine you will feel a bit overwhelmed when your child can’t relax and have a nice night of sleep.
I guess a few tricks can help you, to help kids to settle into a new sleep routine, and your trip will become more enjoyable for everyone.
The way you can make it easier is packing familiar bedding with you. Bring along your child’s favourite blanket, stuffed animal, or sleep sack. These items can provide a sense of comfort and familiarity in an unfamiliar place.
Bring familiar blankets, stuffed animals, or sleep toys that your child associates with sleep. Besides, comfortable clothing can also be happy. Something like baby tees, and other items that can be found at favourite places such as y2k shop where you find cute pieces such as y2k tops and y2k sweatshirts.
These items can provide comfort and security in an unfamiliar environment. If necessary, pack extra changes of clothes, diapers, and baby wipes for any unexpected accidents.
If the room you’re staying in is brightly lit, consider using portable blackout curtains to create a dark and sleep-inducing environment for naps and bedtime.
Also, invest in a lightweight and easy-to-assemble portable crib or travel bassinet that meets safety standards. This provides a familiar and safe sleeping space for your baby.
White Noise Machine
I don’t know about you, but I love sleeping with the sound of the rain. It is relaxing and makes me feel good. So, I can imagine it has the same effect in many people.
The truth is that a white noise machine can help drown out unfamiliar sounds and create consistent and soothing background noise for sleep.
It’s quite efficient to create a calming and familiar environment for children. It can mimic the sounds they hear in the womb, which can be comforting and help them relax.
They are also excellent ways of mascaraed disruptive noises in the environment, such as car honks, barking dogs, or household noises. This can help prevent these sounds from waking your child and disrupting their sleep.
According to some studies, white noise can help children sleep for longer periods, as it can help them stay asleep even during brief awakenings between sleep cycles.
Maintain Routine Elements
Keeping a sleeping routine is an excellent way of keeping your child relaxed in any ambient.
If you stick to the bedtime routine, such as reading a story, giving a warm bath, or singing lullabies, they will probably get used to it and understand that it’s time to sleep.
If you choose to co-sleep, ensure that the sleeping surface is firm, and remove any pillows or heavy blankets. Position your baby on their back and within arm’s reach.
Try to maintain a consistent bedtime even while travelling. This helps regulate your child’s internal body clock and reduces the chances of sleep disturbances.
Be patient and understanding if your child experiences disruptions in their sleep schedule. Try to maintain consistency with your parenting approach and routines as much as possible.
Keep in mind that travel and new experiences can be stimulating for children. An earlier bedtime might be necessary to prevent overtiredness.
Plan your daily activities around your child’s nap schedule. Ensuring they get their usual naps can prevent crankiness and overstimulation.
Conclusion:
Helping your child sleep well while travelling requires a mix of preparation, consistency, and adaptability.
By creating a comfortable sleep environment and maintaining familiar elements of your bedtime routine, you can ensure that your little one gets the rest they need, allowing you to enjoy your travels with fewer disruptions.
*This is a collaborative post
