Sleep Survival Guide: how to keep your sanity while travelling with kids
Traveling with kids can be an adventure in itself, and one of the biggest challenges is managing sleep routines on the go. From sharing a hotel room to surviving long flights, and figuring out how to squeeze in naps, it's a sleep-deprived rollercoaster.
But fear not, I’m here to equip you with some practical tips from my own adventures, to help your family enjoy your summer adventures.
1. Sharing a Hotel Room:
Sharing a hotel room with your baby or young child can easily become a game of musical beds, which makes it much harder to go back to separate sleep spaces and independent sleep when you get back home. Here are my recommendations:
Separate Sleep Space - for those with babes, I highly recommend investing in a Pack N’ Play or borrowing a crib from the hotel. Set it up in a cozy corner of the hotel room and hang a double sheet (from the closet doors, a coat rack, or get creative) to provide a ‘separate’ sleep space for them. This worked like a charm for us when the kiddos were younger. You can also invest in a SnoozeShade Pack n’ Play cover while room-sharing to create a visual barrier (and dark sleep space for baby) – see below for more info on this option!
The Pillow Wall - for those with young children, have them sleep in their own bed in the hotel room so they don’t except to bed-share with you when they get back home. If you have two kids sleeping in the same bed, create a pillow wall between them to provide a sense of privacy and separation. It's an excellent barrier against those middle of the night kicks (there is always one person in the family that moves and flails, and in our house, that is Myles!).
2. Surviving Airplane Adventures:
Air travel with kids can be the ultimate test of parental patience. Here are tips to make the journey as smooth as possible:
Seat Selection Strategy – choosing the right seats can make a significant difference in your child’s comfort and sleep on the plane. If you are traveling with an infant, book seats with a bassinet attachment option, often available in bulkhead rows. These bassinets provide a cozy sleeping space for your baby during the flight, allowing you to enjoy some hands-free moments. For toddlers and older kids, opt for a window seat. The window provides a built-in headrest, gives them a visual distraction and a sense of privacy.
Cozy Sleep Gear - dress your baby or toddler in comfortable, loose-fitting clothing suitable for the cabin temperature. Bring along a soft blanket, sleep sack or comfort object for added coziness. I always dress my kids in layers as you never know what to expect with plane cabin temperatures.
Scheduling and Naps – If you can, offer naps around the same time as your child would normally sleep at home. If you are between flights, encourage a stroller nap. If you are on the airplane, it is 100% okay to help your baby to sleep with some gentle rubbing, rocking, or walking up and down the aisle. One ‘off’ day of sleep won’t make or break strong sleep habits!
3. Staying at Family and Friends
Staying with loved ones can be a wonderful way to connect and spend time together. However, maintaining sleep routine sin unfamiliar environments can be challenging. To ensure a restful sleep for both you and your child, I recommend the following:
Set the Stage - with a sleep-friendly environment. When you arrive, make it a priority to get your child’s sleep space set-up and spend time in that room so they can explore and get comfortable. This way it isn’t a big surprise when they go in there for a nap or bedtime!
Stick to Routine - Maintain your child’s regular bedtime routine as much as possible. Consistency in routine can help signal to your child that it is time for sleep, even in a different setting. Read a bedtime story together, and bring along familiar sleep items, such as a comfort object or special blanket (sleep sack for babies). My kids both get to choose one special stuffy to bring when we travel and we always put them in the carry-on just in case our luggage gets lost!
4. My Favourite Travel Sleep Products
Here are a few handy products that will make a big difference in your travel sleep success:
Elesories Travel-sized Sound Machine - Compact and portable, I use this specific sound machine all the time for travel (and at home!). It drowns out noise in hotels or late family gatherings, so your little one can drift off into dreamland. I especially like that it has multiple volume settings so you can choose the right level for the circumstances (quieter for general ambiance, louder at noisy places).
SnoozeShade Stroller Sun & Sleep Shade - Perfect for naps on the go to keep your sleep schedule on track, this shade covers your child’s stroller providing them with a dark space and protection from the sun. I love that there are options for both bassinet and stroller. Enjoy 10% off with code CMSLEEP.
Amazon Basics Portable Blackout Curtain –This budget-friendly and light-weight shade has suction cups that affix to the window to keep the sun out. This is especially handy for bedrooms that do not have curtains to darken the space, like a cottage or a friend’s home.
SnoozeShade Cover for Pack n’ Plays – This is the ultimate solution for 0-12 month old babes, taking under a minute to set up and can be used anywhere (hotel rooms, cottages, camping, even the airport before or between flights). I wish I knew about this product when my son was first born! Save 10% off with code CMSLEEP.
There you have it - traveling with kids and managing sleep may seem like a daunting task, but it can be an enjoyable experience. Embrace the adventure, make the most of the unexpected detours, and remember that even some sleepless days can become cherished memories down the road. Bon voyage and sweet dreams!
Ready for some more tips on sleep? Head over to @caramyresleep on Instagram now.
