So you have booked your summer holiday! How exciting, but going away especially to a different country can feel quite daunting with a little one, especially if it is the first time you have travelled like this.
But fear not! I am here to give you all my top tips for keeping sleep on track and helping them to settle in their new environment.
1) Do your best to re-create your home environment – if you can bring their sleeping bag from home and even some bedding like their fitted sheet it can help them to adjust as it will smell like home, don’t forget their favourite teddy or comforter too.
2) Try and stick to your bedtime routine as much as possible as this gives them cues that bedtime is approaching and gives them some familiarity. Make the room as dark as possible too (this is good for the production of melatonin – the sleepy hormone), a portable black out blind might be a good idea but you can just stick black bin bags to the window if you want a cheap temporary fix.
3) Bring a white noise machine with you as this will drown out any unfamiliar sounds whilst they are drifting off to sleep and it should prevent them from getting disturbed during the night.
4) Buy a cheap plug in baby monitor which does not rely on wifi. These are inexpensive but really good to keep an ear out for your little one whilst you are relaxing on the balcony! If you use a toddler clock take that with you, so they know when it is ‘morning.’
5) Invest in a Snooze Shade! I have a discount code for 10% off with my code CATCHINGLITTLEDREAMS they are fantastic for naps on the go as they stop your little one getting distracted and also can help if you want to go for dinner in the evening as your little one can get some sleep whilst you eat. They have been designed to keep your child cool in the heat and have been vigorously tested for safety.
6) Try and be conscious of wake windows. Although you are away and may be keen to do lots, making sure your little one doesn’t get too overtired is important. Overtiredness is one of the main reasons babies and toddlers struggle with their sleep so making sure your little naps at the right time can be a game changer!
I hope you found these tips helpful, but more importantly enjoy your holiday!
Bon Voyage