Travel Sleep Tips for Babies & Kids from a Child Sleep Expert

Getting good sleep while on vacation is one of the biggest challenges of traveling with kids. Read these eight travel sleeping tips for babies, toddlers and kids from a child sleep expert to ensure restful nights during your family getaway.

I learned how to pack in restful vacations for the whole family during an interview with Davis Ehrler, postpartum doula and child sleep counselor. Her 3 Day Sleep Solution program teaches parents of kids aged newborn to 8 years how to instill good childhood sleep habits. The focus is on understanding children's biological needs. As the mother of three daughters, Davis knows how challenging it can be to get a good night's rest while traveling with children. Here are her travel sleeping tips for babies, toddlers and kids to help the whole family sleep well during your travels.

It may take a few days for kids to adjust to sleeping well on vacation (Photo credit: svetamart, Depositphotos.com)

1. Be patient.

According to Davis, it will take two to three nights for your child to adjust to the new surroundings and schedule while traveling. She says, “The first couple of nights you don’t sleep well on vacation. We adults might watch TV until we fall asleep or read longer than usual, even if we don’t do that at home. And some of us will even have a glass of wine or two.”

Davis advises, “Children are no different than we are. Parents expect too much from themselves and from children while traveling. Know that [children] need some time to adjust. Period.”

Grab naps where you can when traveling with babies and young children (Photo credit: gorchichko, Depositphotos.com)

2. Squeeze in naps.

If your child is still taking naps, Davis suggests returning to the hotel room to put your child down midday. When I asked what she thinks of using long car rides or stroller walks to induce vacation naps, Davis said although she insists on regular naps in the child's crib or bed at home, “On vacation the naps may take place in strollers and in cars and at the beach. It’s sleep, but it’s junky sleep. But you have to do what you can to make [the naps] happen.”

Try to arrive before bedtime to establish good sleep habits (Photo credit: Wavebreakmedia, Depositphotos.com)

3. Arrive before bedtime.

Reaching your destination before your child’s bedtime allows the family to start off your vacation on the right foot, according to Davis. Getting a good first night of sleep is better than playing catch-up throughout your stay.

It's important to recreate bedtime routines when traveling with children (Photo credit: FamVeldman, Depositphotos.com)

4. Recreate bedtime routines.

Davis says, “You (might) blow their naps, but be sure get them to sleep at night.” To do that, you should stick to at-home bedtime rituals even while on vacation. This includes reading stories, taking a bath, or singing lullabies.

A beloved stuffed toy can help kids feel more secure away from home (Photo credit: romrodinka, Depositphotos.com)

5. Make it feel familiar.

Bringing along your own crib sheets so the new environment will feel like home, says Davis. This is because babies and young children rely much more on their sense of smell than do older kids and adults. A lovey or beloved stuffed toy from home can be comforting, too.

If your child is used to sleeping on his own at home, seeing mom and dad in the same room can make him disrupt sleep on vacation (Photo credit: leungchopan, Depositphotos.com)

6. Book more than one room or divide the room in two.

If you can, book more than one room while traveling with children. Davis says, “If you can, get a suite or condo. It will always make your vacation so much better.”

If you must bunk down with the kids, Davis recommends using a visual barrier by hanging a bed sheet so your children can’t see you. “If they can see you, they’re going to want mommy and daddy.”

Take a look at VRBO vacation rental options for plenty of room to spread out and sleep well while traveling with kids.

You may need to break bedtime rules a bit while on vacation (Photo credit: michaeljung, Depositphotos.com)

7. Break some rules.

You should follow strict guidelines for ensuring good sleep 80 percent of the time, according to Davis. She says, “Break the rules 20 percent of the time. Vacation should be your 20 percent.” That may mean allowing a child to co-sleep with you, even if you don't co-sleep at home, or doing naps in the stroller instead of the crib. She compared strict sleep habits to a strict diet while on vacation, saying, “No one wants to eat salad every night on vacation!”

Following these travel sleep tips will help your child better on vacation (Photo credit: shirotie, Depositphotos.com)

8. Get back on track at home.

Davis says, “Have a blast on vacation. Then, have the tools to get back on track when you get home.” She warns that it will take another two to three days for the family’s schedule to return to normal after the trip, just as it took a few days of adjustment at the start of the vacation. To do that, get back into a regular nap and bedtime routine right away. “Don’t bring your vacation habits home with you.”

Get back to good bedtime habits as soon as your family returns home (Photo credit: FamVeldman, Depositphotos.com)

Additional Helpful Resources for Parents

If traveling with a baby or toddler, you may want to take a look at our Airplane Kit for Babies and Toddlers. (Psst! It works great for road trips, too!) Also helpful is our list of Travel Toys for All Ages, from Babies to Teens. For additional tips for traveling with babies and young children, I think you'll really enjoy my book, The Travel Mamas' Guide.

Do you agree with these travel sleeping tips for babies, toddlers and kids? Do you have any additional tips you’d like to share? Let us know in the comments below!