The holiday season is filled with joy, family gatherings, and endless activities, but it can also throw your little one’s sleep schedule into chaos. With so much going on, it’s easy for sleep to fall apart—but it doesn’t have to. With a little planning and a few simple strategies, you can maintain healthy sleep habits and keep your little one well-rested throughout the festivities.
Here are answers to the most common questions I get about navigating baby and toddler sleep during the holiday season:
How to Handle Naps on the Go
The holidays often mean being out and about, which can make naps tricky. Here are some tips to help your little one catch those much-needed zzz’s:
- Plan Ahead: Aim to prioritise at least one solid nap at home each day if you can. If you’re traveling during nap time, bring a portable sleep setup, like a travel crib or stroller with a good recline.
- Use Motion Sleep Wisely: Car or stroller naps can be lifesavers when you’re on the go, but try not to rely on them too much. Motion sleep isn’t as restorative as crib sleep, so use these sparingly.
- Protect the Nap Routine: Even on busy days, follow your little one’s usual nap wind-down routine—like a story, song, or cuddle—to help signal it’s time for sleep.
How to Handle New Environments
Sleeping in a new place can be challenging for little ones. Here’s how to help them adjust:
- Recreate Their Sleep Space: Bring familiar items like their lovey, sleep sack, or white noise machine to make the new environment feel like home.
- Do a Quick Room Check: Make the room as dark as possible, use white noise to drown out unfamiliar sounds, and ensure it’s at a comfortable temperature.
- Practice Beforehand: If you’re traveling, let your baby nap in their travel crib at home a few times before the trip so it feels familiar.
- Be Patient: Some more sensitive little ones need time to adjust to their new environment so expect settling to take a bit longer the first night.
How to Keep Day Sleep on Track During Busy Days
When the holidays are packed with activities, it’s tempting to skip naps or stretch wake windows too far. Avoid this by:
- Protecting Their Naps: If following your schedule is too stressful or not possible, then make sure you are protecting your little one’s need for sleep by respecting their wake windows. If an event overlaps with nap time, arrive late or leave early to ensure they get their nap in.
- Building in Rest Days: After particularly busy days, plan a quieter day at home to help your little one recharge.
- Bring Bedtime Earlier: If you’ve had a poor day of naps, you might need to bring bedtime earlier to avoid your little one becoming overtired.
Top Tips for Preventing Sleep from Falling Apart
Consistency is your best friend during the holidays. Here’s how to stay on track:
- Stick to the Routine: Keep bedtime and nap routines consistent, even if the timing shifts slightly.
- Use Boundaries: If your little one is already an independent settler and sleeper, stick to this during the holidays to prevent regression. Avoid introducing new sleep habits (like rocking to sleep) unless you’re okay continuing them after the holidays.
- Be Realistic: It’s okay if things aren’t perfect. A short nap or a slightly later bedtime won’t undo all your hard work—just aim to get back on track when you can.
How to Avoid New Sleep Habits That Are Hard to Break
It’s easy to fall into patterns over the holidays that become tricky to undo later. To maintain healthy habits:
- Offer Reassurance Without Overhelping: If your little one struggles with sleep in a new environment, offer comfort in a way that supports their independence. For example, use a soothing voice or gentle touch rather than rocking them all the way to sleep.
- Lean On Your Sleep Tools: Stick to tools like white noise or a lovey that are already part of your routine rather than introducing new ones.
- The 3 Day Rule: If your little one does need some extra support to get to sleep while on holiday, try to avoid doing this for more than 3 days. This is how long it takes for a little one to form a new sleep habit/association.
How to Handle Tricky Family Members Who Don’t Understand Your Sleep Approach
Dealing with family members who question or criticise your sleep practices can be stressful. Here’s how to navigate these conversations:
- Stay Confident: Remember, you know your child best. Politely but firmly explain that the sleep routine you’ve chosen is what works for your family.
- Set Boundaries: If relatives offer unsolicited advice or try to interfere, thank them for their concern but make it clear you’re sticking to your plan.
- Enlist Support: Share your reasoning with a supportive family member who can back you up if needed. Getting your partner on board with this is key too.
How to Get Back on Track After the Holidays
Even with the best intentions, holiday sleep disruptions happen. The good news is that babies and toddlers are incredibly resilient and sleep is fluid. Once the festivities are over, you can reset their routine and get back to consistent, healthy sleep.
Check out my blog post on getting back on track after the holidays for a step-by-step guide to restoring your little one’s sleep.
The holidays should be a time of joy and connection, not stress over sleep. By staying consistent and using these tips, you can enjoy the festive season while ensuring your little one stays well-rested and happy.
If you’re looking for more support, my Sleep Well System offers tailored strategies for every stage of sleep.
Have a restful holiday season!
