Traveling with children can be lots of fun! There is something truly breathtaking about watching a young child experience new sites, sounds, places and activities for the very first time. We get to see the world through the innocent eyes of a child. The trips we take with our children are building memories that will last a lifetime.
But let’s be honest, traveling with children, although exciting and fun, can also be a logistical nightmare! First of all, the packing list is extensive. Strollers, pack’n’plays, clothes for each day of the trip plus backup clothing because, well, kids are messy.
Planning the trip itinerary can also be difficult. It’s not always easy to find appropriate activities that will engage all of your children, while also maintaining time throughout the trip for much-needed downtime.
However, when it comes to traveling with kids, one of the biggest questions I hear from concerned parents is:
“How on earth am I supposed to get my baby to sleep when we are sharing a hotel room?!”
For parents with little ones that have been sleep trained, this is an understandable concern. Your child is probably used to sleeping by herself in a dark room, maybe with a sound machine of some kind.
You’ve created the perfect sleeping environment for your child. It works beautifully! The idea of trying to get your baby to sleep in a hotel room, filled with other family members, strange noises, or light from the TV, can be downright anxiety inducing.
There’s NO WAY my baby will sleep if he can see me!
This will RUIN her good sleep habits.
The whole family will have to go to sleep at 7:00 pm to accommodate the baby’s schedule.
No one will sleep and our trip will be ruined.
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If any of these thoughts have crossed your mind as you’ve considered the logistics of sharing a hotel room with your little one, you’re not alone. These are common fears, especially amongst parents who’ve worked so hard to establish good sleep habits and routines at home.
Here’s the good news…
Sharing a hotel room with your baby or toddler is possible! Here are some of my best tips for handling sleep while room sharing while traveling with your children:
Don’t forget the equipment!
Write out your child’s bedtime routine and make a list of each important item that is a part of that routine. Seriously...write it down. You don’t want to accidentally forget something important.
If your child has a sound machine, pack it! If your bedtime routine begins with reading stories, grab a few to read in the hotel. If your little one sleeps with a lovey or special blanket, make sure those items are put in the bag. When it’s time for bed, walk through your normal bedtime routine, just as you would if you were home.If your baby sleeps alone at home, he should sleep alone while traveling.
The goal is to keep your child’s sleeping arrangements similar to what he experiences at home. If your child sleeps in his own bed at home, he needs to be in his own bed in the hotel. Don’t try to bed share...it won’t go well for any of you! Many hotels have the option of renting a rollaway crib, or you can bring a bassinet (for smaller babies) or pack‘n’play for your child to sleep in while you travel. Make sure to add this to your checklist!
Create a visual barrier between you and your child.
This may be the biggest concern among parents as they contemplate sharing a hotel room with their baby...if baby can see you, she probably won’t sleep. This can be rectified by creating some sort of visual barrier that gives your child the impression of being in her own room. If your hotel room has a front entry hallway or walk-in closet, these areas could serve as your “baby room” for the duration of your stay. You can also hang a curtain to create some visual separation.
When I know that we will be staying in a hotel room, I ask the front desk if they can give us a room that has a quiet nook where we can tuck the crib. They usually are happy to help if they can, especially if the person you ask has kids. :)
Stick to your daily routine (as best as you can).
Do your best to stick to the regular routine and schedule of your day to day life. If your baby usually wakes up at 7:00 am, wake him up at 7:00 am. If bedtime is typically at 7:30 pm, guess what, bedtime should still be at roughly 7:30 pm. Obviously, you may have to make some adjustments to accommodate your travel plans for the day, and that’s okay! If your little one needs to “nap on the go” in order to squeeze a morning nap in, do what you can to make that happen.
A trick from a pro for ages 3-6 years.
I don't love having to climb into bed at 7:30 PM when on vacation, so I came up with a solution to the problem. With older children who do not nap regularly at home, I will enforce a midafternoon nap when we travel. This may take a little planning, convincing and motivational reward, but the results are worth it. It allows my little ones to have a little downtime from all the stimulation from the day which prevents afternoon meltdowns and makes the activities more enjoyable for all. The best part is that it allows us to stay up a little later. If they napped 90 minutes, then we get an extra 90 minutes tacked onto the end of our day!
Traveling with babies can be challenging, but with some thought and preparation, it can be low stress and lots of fun! Check out this blog post for more tips on Traveling With Babies.
What are YOUR best tips for traveling with kiddos?? Let me know in the comments below.
