Miya Pearson
Travelling with an 8-month-old baby can be challenging, especially when it comes to sleep. A change in environment, long travel, and jetlag can affect your baby's sleep. Here are some tips to help your 8-month-old sleep in a hotel: stick to your baby's regular bedtime routine, bring familiar items such as their bedding and sleep sack, use white noise or a sound machine, ensure the room is dark with blackout curtains, and create a separate sleep space for your baby if possible. Additionally, consider bringing your own crib or bassinet if you are unsure about the hotel's options.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Crib | Bring your own crib or bassinet if possible, as hotel cribs may be unsafe or uncomfortable. |
| Bedding | Bring your own baby bedding, including a comfortable crib sheet. |
| White Noise Machine | Bring a white noise machine to help your baby sleep and block out potential sleep-disrupting sounds. |
| Blackout Curtains | Invest in travel blackout curtains to block out light and help your baby sleep. |
| Baby Monitor | Bring a baby monitor to keep an eye on your baby in a separate sleep space. |
| Bedtime Routine | Stick to your baby's regular bedtime routine as much as possible, including dimming the lights and using a white noise machine. |
| Child-proofing | Bring items to child-proof the hotel room, such as masking tape to cover electrical outlets and secure cabinet handles. |
| Breakfast | Plan for early mornings and potential hunger by bringing snacks or requesting milk, fruit, or snacks from the hotel. |
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What You'll Learn
Baby-proofing the hotel room
Hotel rooms are often not designed with babies in mind, and they can be rife with risks. To baby-proof your hotel room, you can take some safety measures yourself or request the hotel's baby-proofing services, if available. Here are some tips to baby-proof your hotel room:
Before Your Trip:
- Call the hotel directly to inquire about their child-safety measures and baby-proofing services. Some hotels offer baby-proofing kits, while others may provide items like outlet covers, strollers, car seats, baby tubs, books, and toys.
- If the hotel does not offer baby-proofing services, consider bringing your own baby-proofing kit. This may include items such as power outlet covers, adhesive corner covers, tape and washcloths for sharp corners, sterile wipes or spray to clean surfaces, and a baby playpen that can double as a travel crib.
Upon Arrival:
- Do an initial check for hazardous items on the floor, under furniture, and in drawers. Look for items such as paper clips, pens, safety pins, or other small objects that could pose a choking hazard.
- If the room has a balcony, ensure there is a safety net.
- Tape down any loose electric cords, phone cords, or wires to the floor or wall.
- Use rubber bands or hair ties to keep low cabinet doors closed.
- Tape over the bathroom door lock to prevent children from locking themselves in.
- Cover any sharp furniture corners or wall corners with tape and a washcloth.
- Move furniture away from windows and doors to prevent climbing or falling hazards.
- If there is a phone in the room, unplug it and put it out of reach if you don't expect any calls.
- If the room has a suite or separate areas, set up the baby's sleep space away from your own to minimize distractions.
By taking these precautions and making some modifications, you can create a safer environment for your 8-month-old to sleep and explore during your hotel stay.
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Cribs and bedding
When it comes to cribs and bedding for your 8-month-old while staying in a hotel, there are a few options and considerations to keep in mind. Firstly, maintaining consistency in your baby's sleeping arrangements is important. If your baby sleeps in a crib at home, it is advisable to bring your own portable crib or bassinet when travelling. This ensures familiarity and safety, as hotel cribs may vary in quality and safety standards. The Guava Lotus Travel Crib, for example, is a highly-rated option that can be carried as a backpack. Alternatively, the Pamo Babe crib is a more affordable option that comes with a carry bag. Remember to bring a comfortable crib sheet, preferably washed in your familiar detergent, to create a cosy and recognisable sleeping environment.
If your baby has been sleeping in a larger space at home, consider booking a hotel room with a suite or a separate bedroom. This allows you to create a dedicated sleep space for your baby, minimising distractions and maintaining their regular bedtime routine. If a separate bedroom is not available, get creative by utilising walk-in closets, hallways, or bathrooms as potential sleep areas. Just ensure proper ventilation and childproofing.
Inflatable bed rails or pool noodles placed under the sheets can help create a safe boundary for your baby's sleep space, especially if they are sharing a bed with you. However, always prioritise safe sleeping practices and avoid bed-sharing with babies under one year old. Additionally, maintain a consistent bedtime routine, including dimming the lights and using white noise or lullabies to signal sleep time.
If you decide to use the hotel's crib, carefully inspect it to ensure it meets safety standards. The mattress should be firm and flat, and the crib should be free from potential hazards. If you're unsure about the quality of the crib, it's better to bring your own or opt for a different sleeping arrangement, such as a pack-and-play or a bassinet. Remember, your baby's safety and comfort should be the top priority when choosing a sleeping arrangement in a hotel.
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Creating a separate sleep space
Choose the Right Accommodation:
When booking your hotel, opt for a suite or a room with a division between the sleeping and living areas. This provides some separation, allowing you to relax or watch TV without disturbing your baby's sleep. If your budget allows, consider booking an adjoining room specifically for your baby. This way, you can maintain separate sleep spaces and enjoy some "me time" before turning in for the night.
Request a Quiet Room:
When reserving your hotel room, request a quiet room on a higher floor, away from the lobby, elevators, and other potentially noisy areas. This reduces the chances of your baby being disturbed by unexpected sounds or high foot traffic.
Bring Your Own Baby Bedding:
Consider bringing your own baby bedding, such as a trusted travel crib or a familiar crib sheet. This ensures your baby has a safe and comfortable sleep environment. If your baby uses a SNOO, bring it along if possible, as familiarity can aid sleep in an unfamiliar setting. Alternatively, a product like the Slumberpod fits over a travel crib to provide a visual barrier and is made of blackout fabric.
Create Visual and Auditory Barriers:
Visual barriers can trick your baby into thinking they have their own room, reducing the excitement of seeing you nearby. If the hotel room has a front entry hallway or a walk-in closet, use these areas as your baby's sleep space. Alternatively, hang a curtain or blanket to create a visual separation. For older children, pool noodles or inflatable bed rails can be placed under the sheets to delineate their sleep space. To block out light and create darkness, use travel blackout curtains, or get creative with trash bags and tape. Additionally, a white noise machine can help mask unfamiliar sounds and activate your baby's natural calming reflex.
Stick to a Consistent Bedtime Routine:
Maintain your baby's regular bedtime routine as much as possible. This includes their sleep sack, lovie blanket, and any special stories or snuggle time. By bringing these familiar cues, you can help your baby understand that it's sleep time, even in a new environment.
Remember, creating a separate sleep space in a hotel room requires some ingenuity. With the right tools and preparation, you can ensure your baby gets the restful sleep they need while still enjoying your vacation.
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Sticking to a bedtime routine
Firstly, it is important to ensure your baby has a full wake window before bed. Being overtired or not tired enough can make falling asleep difficult. A bedtime "range" of about 30-60 minutes is ideal, for example, 7:00-8:00 pm or 7:15-7:45 pm. This allows for flexibility based on when their last nap ended. You may need to wake your baby from their last nap of the day to get a full wake window.
Secondly, soothing activities that lead up to bedtime can help relax your baby. A warm bath followed by stories or singing will signal the end of the day. These activities can be used at bedtime for years to come. You can also include a baby massage as part of your bedtime routine. It is important to be consistent with the activities you choose, as consistency after the bath helps.
Thirdly, you'll want to invest in and bring familiar items that your baby associates with bedtime. This could include their sleep sack, lovey blanket, crib sheet, and sound machine or lullabies. If your baby has been getting lulled to sleep with a white noise machine, bring it along and play it an hour before lights out, just like at home.
Finally, it is important to stick to safe-sleep rules, including resisting the temptation to bed-share with babies under a year old. Make sure your baby falls asleep on their own. Put your baby in their crib while they're drowsy but still awake. If they cry, stay away for a few minutes. They may settle down and go to sleep. If the crying continues, soothe your baby without picking them up.
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Child-safety items
When travelling with an 8-month-old, it is important to ensure that the hotel room is childproofed and safe for your baby. Here are some child-safety items and tips to consider:
Childproofing the Hotel Room
- Electrical Outlets: Cover electrical outlets with masking tape or duct tape to prevent your baby from accidentally touching them.
- Cabinets and Drawers: Use tape to secure cabinet handles together, especially in the kitchenette area, to keep your baby from accessing the contents inside.
- Sharp Objects: Identify any sharp-edged objects in the room, such as coffee tables, and move them against the walls or out of your baby's reach.
- Bathroom: Keep the bathroom door closed, and the toilet seat down, to prevent any accidents or unsupervised access.
- Doors: If your baby is capable of unlocking doors, consider a way to prevent them from leaving the room unsupervised while still ensuring easy exit in case of an emergency.
Baby Bedding and Sleeping Arrangements
- Crib or Pack 'n' Play: Bring your own crib or Pack 'n' Play if you are unsure about the quality or safety of the hotel's provided crib. The Guava Lotus Travel Crib is a highly-rated option that is firm, comfortable, and can be carried as a backpack. Alternatively, Pamo Babe offers a more affordable and lightweight option that includes a carry bag.
- Bedding: Don't forget to bring a crib sheet for the hotel's crib or your own crib. Wash the sheet with your familiar detergent or rub it with your deodorant or body lotion to help your baby sleep better.
- Visual Barrier: Create a visual barrier between your sleeping area and your baby's crib or play yard to give your child the impression of having their own separate sleep space. This can be achieved by using a blanket or a portable travel crib with sides.
- Bed Rails: If your baby will be sleeping in a bed, bring inflatable bed rails or a portable bed rail that breaks down for easy packing. This will provide a safe sleeping environment and prevent your baby from rolling out of bed.
- Baby Monitor: Consider bringing a baby monitor to keep a close eye on your baby while they sleep. This will allow you to position yourself farther away from the crib while still being able to supervise your baby.
- White Noise Machine: Bring a white noise machine or use white noise apps on your phone to help your baby sleep better and block out any potential sleep-disrupting sounds in the hotel.
- Blackout Curtains: Most hotels have blackout curtains, but if they don't, consider investing in travel blackout curtains with suction cups to keep the light out and create a darker sleep environment.
Remember to stick to your baby's regular bedtime routine as much as possible, including the use of sleep sacks, lovie blankets, and any other familiar items that cue your baby that it's sleep time. Safe travels and sweet dreams to your little one!
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Frequently asked questions
It is recommended to bring your own baby bedding and a crib or bassinet if possible. Cribs provided by hotels may be unsafe or uncomfortable, so it is best to bring your own if you can. If you are flying, the Guava Lotus Travel Crib can be carried as a backpack. If you are driving, the Lotus Travel Crib is a good option as it is longer than a pack and play and can be zipped from the side.
It is important to stick to your baby's regular bedtime routine as much as possible. This includes any activities you usually do before tuck-in time, such as dimming the lights or using a white noise machine. You should also try to create a separate sleep space for your baby, such as in a walk-in closet or in the living room of a suite.
If your baby is sleep-trained, you may need to create a visual barrier so that they cannot see you. This can be done by using a Snooze Shade or hanging a curtain or blanket. It is also important to set the thermostat to the right temperature and use blackout curtains or make your own by hanging a blanket over the window.
