Cranky and Tired kids make summer vacations less than desirable. Here are my top tips for keeping your babies and toddlers well rested on your summer adventures. If you haven't already please check out my summer sleep tip.
#1 Relax and enjoy your time away.
Approach a family vacation as a fun change of location. Many sleep as much of a priority as you can and know that you might have a few rocky days while getting back to normal when you return home.
#2 Keep your sleep routines the same.
Bedtime routines are best when you respond to your child's cues that sleep is coming soon. If you always give two kisses and read a story then continue. If your little one always naps by 1 pm - try to be home for naps or bring a reclining stroller for naps on the go. You might also bring sunglasses for your child to help increase the level of dark.
Be careful draping blankets over strollers as these can actually increase the temperature inside the stroller and cause your child to overheat.
#3 Keep Regular sleep times.
Help keep your babies on their normal sleep schedule with continuing wake ups at 6:30 am or 7:00 am. This will enable your child to stay rested and happier while on vacation. If your child wakes at 7 am at home, keep this and alternate with family getting up with them so you can have a break. Naps, as mentioned previously, should be kept the same time but if you miss one or two don’t fret, just be prepared. Again keep bedtime as close to normal as possible as well. If naps have been skipped and you are able to try an earlier bedtime this will help make up for the missed nap.
#4 Keep meal times as regular.
Am I sounding like a broken record? If you eat as soon as you wake up at home, try to repeat this on vacation. Pushing your kids to wait for a hotel buffet, restaurants or even for other family members to wake up can cause unnecessary friction. Prepare for this by having a box of cereal and milk, muffins, fruit etc ready for quick simple breakfasts. If you have a snacker try to have a couple of extra snacks prepared.
#5 Make the room dark.
At home, your child should be sleeping in a dark, almost black room. You are lucky if your room will have black-out blinds but if not try adding garbage bag, cardboard or tinfoil to the windows with Painters Tape. This will increase the darkness and not hurt the paint.
EXTRA TIP - use the painter's tape to cover outlets and close cabinets as well.
#6 Bring Sleep Props from home.
Bring as many items as possible to help recreate your child's sleep environment.
Top sheet from the crib. I will wash the sheets a few days before we leave and bring this ‘clean’ sheet to place in the pack’n’play or crib.
Bring your own pillow (for older children - babies and toddlers should not be using a pillow) - this again will be helpful to make sleep easier for the whole family.
Stuffed Animals or Lovelies - let your child bring their bear, bunny or tiger. These will add a level of comfort to both the routines and sleep. Just be careful to keep track of it and double check you have it before you leave every location.
Sound Machines - Many models are portable or download an app for your phone.
Sleep Sacs - if you use one at home bring one with you on vacation.
Night Lights - I always bring a few with me on vacation. With older kids, these can really help. (coming soon will be a post about night lights)
Extra tips: Other helpful items to bring to make your trip easier
Extra changing pad to set up a changing station in your room.
Extras of things like soothers, small spoons, diapers, wipes etc.
1 set of plastic dishes per child. I carried these in my diaper bag for eating out.
A small amount of dish soap for washing dishes etc
Childs Toilet seat
Small stool to reach the sink or ask the hotel for a second plastic garbage can be used as a make shift stool.
Flashlight and headphones for parents to watch tv or read.
I often pack in laundry baskets or Large Plastic Containers when travelling by car.
Ziplock bags.... lots of ziplock bags. They have so many uses, left over, wet clothing, keeping organized, etc. the list goes on and on.
#7 Jet Leg Tips.
This can be a hard one. Know that it will take a few days to adjust to the new time zone. If you are travelling for a few days you might make everyone's life easier to keep your kids in your home time. This is not always easy (I’ve tried). Going West is usually easier than going East. If you are travelling over more than 3 times zones it might be worth slowly making adjustments by 15-30 minutes for a few days before leaving. Check out my post on Time Changes.
Assume that the day of travel will be a hard and stressful one for your children. Try and get some rest or sleep yourself when possible. Between aeroplanes and airports, it will be challenging.
Upon arriving and getting settled in your vacation location move to your normal wake up, naps and bedtimes.
Get outside as natural sunlight will help your body clock reset your circadian rhythms. This will also help your body with the natural process of producing melatonin.
Get some exercise.
#8 Car Travel.
This can be just as hard as air travel. Long car rides can be hard on kids. Every family has different strategies. Some parents choose to drive through the night while kids sleep then wake kids early. Whatever strategy you choose is fine.
Stop every 2-3 hours to give your kids bathroom breaks/diaper changes and snacks. These can increase the time of your journey but will likely make your kids happy.
We give our kids their pillows, blankets and stuffed animals to help encourage sleep and comfort.
Activities can include simple games, eye-spy, car Bingo etc. I make each of my kids a travel box filled with simple toys, activity books and snacks.
If you have a video player these can also help… try to limit their use in the dark as the blue light will interfere with melatonin production.
Family vacation for mom and dad are still a ton of work as they are more than just a change of location. They are so important for building bonds with family, learning about others, and enriching your kid's memories. I still have fond memories of long car trips to the Maritimes and North Eastern United States. I hope to make these memories with my girls in the coming years. The important part is to enjoy your time away and you will be able to rest when you return home and get back to your normal routines, even if it involves work.
If sleep falls off the wagon remember to try and get your little one as much sleep as possible. When you get home, get back to your regular sleep training methods and understand it will take a few weeks to get back to your day to day routine.
Happy Summer and please get in touch if you have any questions or concerns and remember to check out the summer sale at Cheeky Sleeper. You can reach me at alison@cheekysleeper.com
Happy Sleep
Alisonxx