Sleep Tips when travelling with babies and children — Travelling with small kids can be lots of fun, it also brings some challenges, particularly when it comes to sleeping arrangements. Anyone who has worked with me knows that I’m all for flexibility, especially when on holidays.

Here are some tips for hotel stays with your little ones whether they’re tiny tots or big kids.

🍼0-6 months - Babies this age will likely be still sharing a room with you so the adjustment is quite easy. It’s even easier if the bassinet of your stroller is suitable for overnight sleep as your baby can sleep beside your bed in an already familiar sleep space.

💕6-18 months - By this age, most babies are used to their own sleep space and can be quite disrupted by suddenly room sharing again. If you don’t have a separate room for your baby to sleep in, a walk-in wardrobe or bathroom can make a handy substitute. Just make sure there is sufficient airflow! If you’re not bringing your own travel cot, bring sheets from home so that the cot smells familiar.

🧸18 months + Little ones older than around 18 months, or even 15 months for some babies will be super aware of this exciting change! Some kiddos are more change averse and will be a bit apprehensive about it. Lots of explaining to them about where they will be sleeping for the next few days or the week will help them to feel comfortable in this new environment. Spend some time showing them everyone’s bed and where everyone in the family will be sleeping. Ensure them that you will be there when they wake up. Some kiddos this age will want additional support going to sleep in a new environment, support them as they need it, you will easily get back on track after you get back home.

✨3 years + For the kiddos that are no longer sleeping in a cot go even further than explaining to them about where you will all be sleeping - get into each bed and show them who is sleeping where. Make sure to let them know that you will be there too, and that they are safe here. Many hotels have family rooms with a separate sleeping space, or a room divider for children, which will give them ownership over their room. Some little ones this age will want to crawl into bed with their parents on holidays even if they never do this at home. Holidays are a great time for flexibility, if you’re ok with it, I say, take the pressure off and embrace this for the short time you’re on holidays. You will quickly get back into regular patterns when you are back home.

Are you ready to get better sleep? Book a free 15-minute call with a certified child sleep consultant today. As a paediatric sleep consultant and a mom to two young kids, I know the challenges sleepless nights can bring. I’m here to support you and help your whole family to get better sleep.