My 4 Top Tips for Naps On-The-Go

Baby in car seat stroller.

Naps on-the-go…

…can be lovely as they provide you with more flexibility to take trips to the market, visit family and friends and other activities away from your home.  They are much needed for mama to socialize, get a change of scenery and fill up your cup!

We also want to balance that with helping your baby get enough daytime sleep (as this helps for better nights). Some children have a tendency to have short naps in the car or they will fall asleep randomly and well before their next nap is due. What is a mama to do?

How DO you balance naps on the go AND proper rest?  Here are some tips:

1.     Prioritize the first nap of the day at home or in their pack n’ play in the hotel room, as this is generally the longer of the naps and sets the tone for the day. You can then the other nap(s) on the go in the afternoon.

2.    Keep your child busy and awake until it is time for their regularly scheduled nap and THEN let them doze off in the stroller or car when sleep is due. My go-to was driving with the windows down to let the fresh air in and singing Old MacDonald Has a Farm. This seemed to do the trick!

3.    Bring along a portable sound machine. This helps block out noises that may distract them or disrupt a good solid nap.

4. If your child had a busy day with lots of stimulation, activity and napping on the go, then prioritize an early bedtime so they can catch up on missed rest.

Still have questions or concerns about sleep?  Book a free 15 minute phone consultation with Cara to learn more about your child’s sleep and get some sleep in less then 2 weeks.