Are you travelling with little ones this festive season?

The silly season has begun which means Christmas catch ups, late nights and the temptation to overindulge and break routine!

Then comes holidays! Getting away as a family is never an easy feat even for the bravehearted. Many parents are anxious about whether their efforts in achieving self settling independent sleepers will all go out the window when it comes to holidays.

There are many ways to enjoy the Christmas & New Year festive period without totally losing track of your normal routine. There may be a few minor bumps in the road but all in all an enjoyable holiday is achievable.

Here are some tips & tricks for surviving Christmas and keeping your cool this summer.

Make a list, and check it twice!

Travelling with little ones requires a lot of effort and organisation. Being well prepared will prevent under/over packing and the need to make unnecessary purchases and stops along the way.

Routine, Routine, Routine

I know you have heard it all before, but kids thrive on routine!

In the excitement of holidays it is tempting to let your little one stay up late or wake earlier. Food, light and social interaction are the three elements that reset our internal body clock. Keeping feed and nap times at roughly the same time each day helps your little one adjust and keeps their routine on track.

Keeping your little one awake longer in the evening will not make them sleep longer in the morning!

Keep Things Familiar

Wherever you are holidaying this festive season, your little one’s sleep environment will be different and just like adults, there will be an adjustment period. This is completely normal.

Try to replicate your little one’s usual sleep environment. Be sure to pack your little one’s lovee/cuddly, sleep bag, favourite toy or pillow so they find comfort in unfamiliar environments.

Follow your normal bedtime routine. It may be a new sleep environment, but the familiarity of the bedtime routine will make your little one feel comfortable and settle smoothly at bedtime. Do you need a bedtime routine? Check out Snug Bug’s ideal sleep routine below.

Ensure your little one’s sleep environment is nice and dark, temperature optimal for sleep (18 to 22 degrees) and use white noise if age appropriate. White noise is great for drowning out any unusual noises where you are holidaying or celebrations in the background.

If you don’t have black out travel blinds, a quick, cheap option is a roll of tin foil! I know you’re thinking ‘she’s crazy’, but this really is a great, short term fix. Wipe the door or window down with a wet cloth and then stick the foil to it. Voila! Sleepy Sundays also do a fabulous reusable block out film which I highly recommend. Check it out https://sleepysundays.co/.  

Sunlight

Although we want your little one’s sleep environment as dark as possible for sleep, exposure to sunlight throughout the day and early evening works wonders for night time settling and early morning wakings, so use it to your advantage!

Exposure to sunlight makes our bodies produce serotonin which is then converted to melatonin (the sleep hormone) in darkness. Melatonin helps our bodies relax and ready for sleep.

Get your little one out and about in the sunshine during the day and early evening before bedtime to tank up on serotonin (of course being sun smart in the process). The more serotonin their little bodies produce, the more that is converted to melatonin at sleep time.

Avoid Quick Fixes

In the interests of maintaining harmony on holidays, parents often give up on their normal strategies to quickly reduce noise or crying as they become overwhelmed being in the spotlight.

If your little one usually falls to sleep independently at home, give them the chance to try this while away, even if there is a little (or a lot) of protest. It may take a little longer than usual to fall asleep in their holiday environment and you may need to pop in and offer reassurance the first couple of nights, but ultimately maintaining self settling will be easier for everyone in the long run.

If your toddler normally sleeps in a bed of their own, ensure they have their own bed to sleep in at your destination, even if it is in the same room as you. Try and block off a section of the room just for them.

Associations like rocking or motion, feed to sleep and co-sleeping can very quickly become your little one’s preferred way of going to sleep so remember any negative sleep associations introduced on holidays will more than likely return home from holidays with you!

Remain consistent with your usual approaches and strategies to bedtime and overnight wakings.

Car Travel

There is no doubt about it, car travel is boring! Sitting in the same spot for long periods of time is no fun for anyone, not to mention a toddler!

If your vacation involves car travel, schedule driving time over nap time where possible. Although car naps are not as restorative as naps at home, a nap on the go is better than no nap at all.

Plan some fun stops along the way. A visit to a local attraction or picnic in a park is great for everyone to get out of the car, stretch the legs and take in some sunshine and fresh air. Pack plenty of activities to keep toddlers occupied, books, colouring in, even the iPad to make the trip more relaxing for everyone.

Make sure you have plenty of snacks on board for the journey. When kids are bored they instantly think of food! Stock up on healthy snacks (with a few unhealthy ones as a bargaining tool) to keep them occupied that bit longer and limit fluid intake!

 If your little one is prone to travel sickness, make sure to pack your motion sickness survival kit for any hiccups along the way.

Stimulation/Overstimulation

Yes it is Christmas and excitement is at an all time high but family and friends really must respect your little one’s need to sleep and quiet time. Although everyone wants your little one to be part of the action, with all the attention, indulgences and craziness, this can quickly send your little one into stimulation overdrive.

Maintain your nap schedule and ensure there is a nice quiet space for some low key down time. The end result will be a well rested happy child that can enjoy the festivities without being overtired and grizzly.

If your little one has had short naps and/or busy days, pop them to bed early to combat any overtiredness creeping in. Skipping naps and keeping your little one up later than normal will only introduce a whole new set of sleep issues when you return home from holidays.

Yes, you are allowed to turn a blind eye here and there, however maintaining your broad routine while you are away will allow you to plan some much needed rest & relaxation time for yourself and your partner while your little one is sleeping.

Most importantly, enjoy the festive season & your holiday!