Gina Johnson
Traveling with toddlers can be challenging, especially when it comes to maintaining their sleep schedule. While some parents embrace extra desserts and late bedtimes during vacations, others prefer to stick to their routines. To help your toddler sleep while traveling, it is recommended to recreate their sleep environment as much as possible. This could include bringing items such as their pillow, blanket, favorite books, or a portable sound machine. Additionally, using products like SlumberPod or travel blackout blinds can help block out light and create a comfortable sleep space. It is also important to communicate your expectations to your loved ones and balance late nights with early ones to minimize overtiredness. Remember, it's okay to break the rules from home temporarily, and you can always get back to your routines once you return.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Maintain a familiar bedtime routine | If you typically do a bath, give a mini massage, dress in jammies, feed, and then read a book, continue to do that while you travel. |
| Stick to a sleep schedule | If your little one is taking more than one nap a day, aim for one nap to be at the hotel. |
| Use blackout blinds or curtains | Use a SlumberPod, or travel blackout blinds to keep the room dark. |
| Bring familiar items | Bring your toddler's pillow, blanket, lovey, or comfort item. |
| Be flexible | You may need to adapt your sleep strategy as your child gets older or depending on their personality. |
| Bed sharing | This requires no gear or preparation, but may not be suitable for all families. |
| Portable travel crib | A Pack 'n Play style portable travel crib can work well for infants and toddlers up to about 30 pounds. |
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What You'll Learn
Maintaining a familiar bedtime routine
Travelling can be fun and exciting for toddlers, but it can also be tiring and challenging for them to adjust to new places and sleep in unfamiliar settings. Here are some tips to maintain a familiar bedtime routine while travelling with a toddler:
Stick to your bedtime routine: Consistency is key when it comes to toddler sleep, even when travelling. If your typical bedtime routine involves a bath, a mini massage, putting on pajamas, feeding, and reading a book, try to continue doing the same while away from home. This predictable series of events will signal to your toddler that bedtime is approaching, even if the surroundings are different or the timing is slightly off.
Bring familiar items: Pack your toddler's favorite comfort items, such as their blanket, lovey, pillow, or any other sleep aids they usually use. If your toddler sleeps with a specific item or toy, make sure to bring it along. These familiar items can help your toddler feel more secure and comfortable in a new environment.
Create a cozy sleep space: Make your toddler's sleep space feel similar to what they are used to at home. If possible, set up a separate, quiet space for them to sleep, especially if they are used to sleeping in their own room. You can use travel blackout blinds or a SlumberPod to block out light and create a cozy, private area. This can be especially helpful if you are all sharing a hotel room or if your toddler is sharing a room with siblings.
Manage light exposure: If you are travelling across time zones or experiencing a significant time change, light exposure can be a helpful tool. During your toddler's awake time, expose them to as much daylight or bright indoor light as possible to help adjust to the local time. Conversely, keep their sleep space as dark as possible during early morning hours and sleep times to promote better sleep and facilitate adjustment to the new time zone.
Be flexible and adaptable: While consistency is important, it's also crucial to be flexible and adaptable when travelling with a toddler. Understand that your sleep strategy may need to change with each trip as your toddler grows and their needs evolve. Be prepared to make adjustments based on their age, personality, and comfort level. Remember that some late nights and early nights may be necessary to minimize overtiredness and maintain a balanced sleep schedule.
Remember, it's okay to relax your usual sleep rules while on vacation, and you can always return to your normal routine once you're back home.
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Using a SlumberPod or other blackout solutions
SlumberPod is a patented blackout sleep tent for babies and toddlers, designed to make room-sharing less stressful and more restful. It is a small, portable, blacked-out pod that can be used over a playpen, play-yard, mini crib, or toddler air mattress. It can also be stretched to fit over a toddler bed.
The SlumberPod is lightweight, easy to assemble, and blocks out 90% of light, eliminating the need for blackout shades when travelling. It is large enough to fit over a toddler bed but small and light enough to be easily transported. The SlumberPod is a great way to create a boundary when sharing a room with a child, allowing parents to still have a light on while their child sleeps.
The SlumberPod is a more expensive option, retailing at $260.99 CAD or $179.99 USD, but it is reusable and can be passed down to other children. It is also possible to find discount codes online.
If you don't have access to a SlumberPod, there are other blackout options when travelling. For example, portable blackout blinds can be attached to windows with suction cups, and blackout curtains can be hung over windows or cribs.
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Packing familiar comfort items
Travelling can be challenging for parents who have worked hard to improve their toddler's sleep routine. It is important to remember that children may feel anxious about falling asleep in a new place. To help your toddler sleep better while travelling, it is recommended to bring familiar comfort items from home. Here are some tips for packing these items:
Pack Their Favourite Comfort Items
If your toddler has a favourite comfort item such as a blanket, lovey, or pillow, make sure to bring it along. These familiar items can help your toddler feel more secure and comfortable in a new environment. If your child is attached to a particular item, consider bringing multiples of it or having a backup plan in case it gets lost or forgotten.
Maintain Sleep Associations
If your toddler associates certain items or routines with sleep, try to replicate them while travelling. For example, if your toddler usually sleeps with a particular stuffed animal or book, bring those items along. If they are used to a bedtime story, bring their favourite bedtime books to read while away from home. Maintaining these sleep associations can help cue your toddler's brain that it's time to sleep, even in a different environment.
Stick to Their Sleep Schedule
As much as possible, try to stick to your toddler's sleep schedule while travelling. This may mean planning activities around their nap times or adjusting their bedtime to accommodate for time zone differences. A well-rested toddler is more likely to adapt to new surroundings and maintain their sleep routine.
Create a Familiar Sleep Environment
In addition to bringing familiar items, try to replicate your toddler's sleep environment from home. If they usually sleep with a night light or sound machine, bring a portable version. If they need complete darkness to sleep, consider investing in a SlumberPod or travel blackout blinds to block out any unwanted light. Creating a familiar sleep environment can help your toddler feel more at ease in a new place.
Prepare Them for the Trip
Before the trip, talk to your toddler about the upcoming changes. Let them know where they will be sleeping and bring along their favourite comfort items. If they are old enough, explain any necessary adjustments to their sleep routine and involve them in the process. Preparing them in advance can help reduce anxiety and make them more receptive to the new sleeping arrangements.
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Adjusting to time zone differences
Travelling with toddlers can be fun, but it can also be challenging when it comes to maintaining their sleep schedule. Here are some tips to help your toddler adjust to time zone differences while travelling:
Plan Ahead:
If you have a longer trip planned or are crossing multiple time zones, it is advisable to start adjusting your toddler's sleep schedule gradually before your trip. Nilong Vyas, MD, a pediatrician, suggests starting the adjustment process a couple of weeks in advance. This can make the transition smoother and help your toddler adjust to the new time zone more easily.
Stick to Familiar Routines:
Maintaining consistency in your toddler's bedtime routine is essential. If your routine includes a bath, a mini massage, jammies, a feed, and reading a book, try to replicate this while travelling. This predictable series of events will signal to your toddler that bedtime is approaching, even in a new environment. Familiar items, such as their favourite bedtime books, a lovey or comfort item, or a toddler clock, can also help them feel more secure and facilitate sleep.
Leverage Natural Sunlight:
Natural sunlight plays a crucial role in regulating melatonin, the sleepy hormone, and adjusting the body's internal clock or circadian rhythm. When travelling across time zones, use sunlight strategically. If travelling east, get morning sunlight to advance your toddler's body clock for an earlier bedtime. If travelling west, expose them to light in the evening to delay their internal clock for a later bedtime. Spending time outdoors and engaging in physical activities during the day can also help adjust their body clock.
Be Flexible:
While maintaining a sleep schedule is important, it's also crucial to be flexible. Your toddler may need extra cat naps or slight adjustments to their bedtime while they adapt to the new time zone. If the time zone difference is only an hour or two, you might decide to keep them on their regular schedule, adjusting meal times and bedtime accordingly. For larger time differences, gradually shifting their schedule or allowing for extra naps can make the transition smoother.
Use Light and Dark Strategically:
Light plays a significant role in regulating the body's internal clock. During the day, expose your toddler to natural sunlight, especially in the morning shortly after they wake up. In the evening, dim the lights about an hour before their expected bedtime. Keep the nighttime environment dark, as this will help signal to their body that it's time for sleep.
Remember that adjusting to time zone differences can take a couple of weeks, and it may be challenging at first. However, with flexibility, consistency, and the use of natural sunlight and darkness, you can help your toddler adjust to the new time zone and ensure a smoother travel experience for the whole family.
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Sharing a bed
When travelling with a toddler, one option for their sleep arrangement is to share a bed with them. This can be a convenient and comforting solution, especially if your child is used to co-sleeping at home. Here are some considerations and tips for sharing a bed with your toddler while travelling:
Ensure the bed is safe and comfortable for both you and your toddler. Choose a bed that is large enough for both of you to sleep comfortably without the risk of your toddler rolling off. If the bed is too soft or has a lot of pillows and blankets, remove some to create a You may want to see also Maintaining your toddler's sleep schedule while traveling can be challenging, but here are some tips to help: - Recreate their sleep environment as much as possible. Bring items such as their pillow, blanket, favourite books, or comfort items. - Use blackout blinds or a SlumberPod to block out light and create a cosy space. - Stick to their familiar bedtime routine to cue their brain that it's time for sleep. - Balance late nights with early nights to minimize overtiredness. There are a few options for travel sleep solutions depending on your toddler's age and preferences: - Bed sharing is a simple solution that requires no extra gear, but may not work for all families. - A Pack 'n Play style portable travel crib is versatile and can be set up in various locations. - A SlumberPod is a blackout pod that fits over a mini-crib or toddler cot, providing darkness and a sense of boundaries. Preparing your toddler ahead of time can help ease their anxiety about sleeping in an unfamiliar setting: - Give them factual details about the trip, including where they will be sleeping. - Set up their sleep space as similarly as possible to their space at home. - Communicate your sleep expectations to your travel companions. Traveling may require some flexibility with your toddler's sleep schedule: - Aim for consistency in their bedtime routine, even if bedtime itself is later than usual. - Plan for naps during the day, either at your accommodation or while out exploring. - Be prepared to offer extra sleep support, such as holding or rocking them to sleep.Unlocking Skin Hydration: Moisturizing Sleep Masks
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