This is something that varies from child to child where each of them has separate sleeping patterns, and it is you who has to ensure that the vacations aren’t ruined for you and the baby. The way your vacations were before they arrived was different when compared to now when you have a child accompanying you. You are not just to have fun outdoors but also ensure that your baby isn’t cranky and moody just because they haven’t received adequate sleep all thanks to the busy schedule during the vacations.
It is not surprising to see mommies carrying along toys, sheets, sleeping bags, baby cups and plates to the place they intend to spend their vacation. The reason why they do it is to create an environment that the child can relate to while they sleep. Not all children can adjust themselves to a new place whether it is a hotel, a condo or a friend’s house and so familiarity is the key.
While parents have their way of handling their kids and their needs, here are a few common tips that you could follow the next time you go out for a holiday with your little one accompanying you.
Let them sleep well before the vacation
Usually, when kids have a fixed nap time that they follow daily, it often becomes difficult for them to adjust especially when you expect them to stay awake while on vacation. They tend to become cranky when losing sleep especially when you need to stay outdoors. Therefore, letting them get adequate sleep a few days before the departure can help their sleep tanks to be full while allowing their body to adjust to a new routine. It may happen that during their usual naptime, all of you are out on a sightseeing tour and that they miss out on their sleep. When they have received adequate rest, such changes won’t bother them.
Make arrangements for their sleep
If your child has the habit of sleeping alone in a bed of their own, you need to ensure that there are similar arrangements at the place that you would be staying. It could be a hotel or a condominium, ensure that you inform the concerned people to make arrangements. If you have the necessary means, you could book a suite or probably a room that is spacious enough to give the child their space. If you are traveling by road, you could carry their bedding and probably a roll up mattress along for a more comfortable sleep. Avoid letting them sleep with you on your bed as that may become a habit once you get home.
Allow your child to practice before the vacation
If you intend to make them sleep in sleeping bags or probably a crib that you intend to take along, conduct practice sessions for them before departure. This is likely to make them get used to the bedding and not make them feel uneasy once you get there. It is normal for them to not fall asleep in a place that they are not familiar with. Even if you do not carry out such sessions before you leave, consider taking along sheets and toys that they sleep with each night. This is likely to give that familiar smell and thus inducing sleep once you are in a new place.
Maintain the bedtime routines diligently
If your child is used to listening to stories at bedtime or probably likes listening to music, ensure that you do not forget to do the same even when you are on vacation. This is something that they are used to, and a sudden change may affect their sleep patterns and give them a disturbed sleep rather than a sound one. If you cannot do it, allow your spouse to do it or probably someone else who is accompanying you. As long as it is something that allows them to sleep well, it should be taken care of.
Let them sleep whenever they want to
Since you are out on vacation and it isn’t possible for you to follow the routine that they are used to at home, it is likely that you are somewhere outdoors at a park or a restaurant when it is time for them to sleep. When such times get missed out, you could try letting them sleep whenever there is free time. It could be during transits or probably the daytime when you aren’t outdoors. You as parents too can sleep along with them while giving all of you a fresh feeling to get on with the other half of the day.
Let them have fun as well
Even though there is the need to be disciplined with kids even when you are on vacation, you need to step back at times. Allowing them to have fun and break sleeping rules wouldn’t harm them in any way. The moment they get back home, you can start with the routine, and they would again get used to it. There are times when your kids would throw tantrums while sleeping or probably keep everyone else awake during the transit which is completely fine. You wouldn’t have to justify things to them as you wouldn’t be meeting them again.
Get back to normal once you reach home
You need to be clear with your child that even though they intend to break the rules while on vacation, things wouldn’t be the same once they get back home. They would have to get back to their normal routine all over again, and no excuses would be entertained. Even though they would cry and throw fits, you need to be stern with them while making them know that it is important for them to follow a strict routine and there is no way they can get out of it.
When you do all of these diligently while also following your own family rules, you are likely to have a fun outing rather than being a constant nanny running after your child.
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