Holiday Travel Sleep Tips: How to Keep Your Child's Routine on Track
Whether you're packing up for a cross-country flight to visit family or hosting relatives in your home, the combination of schedule shifts, new environments, and excitement can feel like a recipe for sleep disaster. But here's the truth: holiday travel doesn't have to derail your child's sleep or your sanity.
With a little preparation and the right mindset, you can keep routines on track, help your child feel comfortable in new spaces, and still soak up all the joy the season has to offer. Here's how to make it happen.
Holiday Travel Sleep Tips by Age
Every age comes with its own sleep challenges and opportunities when you're traveling. Here's what to keep in mind based on where your child is developmentally.
For Infants (6 Months and Younger): Embrace Flexibility
If you're traveling with a baby, good news: infants are incredibly flexible! At this age, your little one is taking several naps throughout the day, which gives you plenty of opportunities to shift things around.
Here's what to remember:
You have options. If one nap is shorter than usual, you can make another one a little longer. If your baby falls asleep in the car on the way to Grandma's house, that's a perfectly good nap!
Use your tools. Always bring your baby carrier, sound machine (read more about white noise here), and stroller. These make naps on the go so much easier. Your baby can nap in the carrier while you're out at a holiday party, or in the stroller while you're walking through the town square to see the lights.
Don't stress about room sharing. At this age, babies aren't as aware of you being in the same room as they will be when they're older. As long as you're prioritizing safe sleep, not co-sleeping, and always placing your baby on their back in a crib, bassinet or pack and play, you're good to go.
Safe sleep is non-negotiable. Even when you're traveling, make sure your baby has a safe place to sleep. A pack-and-play or travel crib should always come with you, and remember: no pillows, blankets, or stuffed animals in the sleep space for babies under 12 months.
For Young Toddlers: Consistency is Key
As your child gets older and transitions to fewer naps, consistency becomes more important. Young toddlers are starting to become aware of their surroundings, and changes to their environment can feel unsettling.
Here's how to help them adjust:
Keep routines consistent. Even when you're away from home, stick to your usual bedtime routine as closely as possible. If you always read two books, sing a lullaby, and turn on the sound machine at home, do the same thing on vacation.
Bring familiar comfort items. Visual and verbal cues help young toddlers feel safe and comfortable. Pack their favorite book, their lovey, their sleep sack, and anything else that signals "it's time for sleep." Don't forget to sing the same songs you sing at home as part of the bedtime routine!
Create a sleep space that feels familiar. Even in a hotel room or at a relative's house, you can set up a little sleep nook for your toddler. Bring along their favorite crib sheet, use a sound machine to create white noise, and try to replicate the setup they're used to at home.
For Older Toddlers and Preschoolers: Talk It Out
By the time your child is a preschooler, they're capable of understanding and following expectations. This is where communication becomes your secret weapon.
Here's what to do before you travel:
Have the conversation. Before you even pack the car, sit down with your child and talk about the trip. Explain where you're going, what the sleeping setup will be, and what you expect from them. For example: "We're going to stay at Grandma's house for three nights! You'll have your own cozy bed in the guest room, and just like at home, it's important to stay quiet and rest your body at bedtime."
Involve them in the process. Let your child help pack their comfort items or set up their sleep space when you arrive. When kids feel like they're part of the plan, they're more likely to cooperate!
Set clear expectations. If you're room sharing, explain that they'll have their own sleep zone and that staying in their space is important so everyone can rest. Children often rise to the occasion when you give them the chance.
Bring a toddler air mattress or travel bed. Giving your child their own designated sleep space makes a huge difference. An inflatable toddler bed helps them feel independent while keeping them comfortable. Bonus: it keeps your bed from turning into a kickboxing arena at 2 am!
Pre-Travel Prep: Setting Yourself Up for Success
A little preparation goes a long way when it comes to holiday travel. Here's what to pack and plan before you leave:
Pack the Sleep Essentials
These items should always come with you, no matter where you're going:
Sound machine: This is non-negotiable! Whether you're dealing with noisy relatives, unfamiliar creaks in a hotel, or the excitement of kids running around, white noise helps drown out distractions. Bring a portable sound machine (Yogasleep makes a great one) or download a white noise app like "White Noise Lite" or "Sleep Pillow."
Comfort items: Bring along your child's favorite lovey, blanket, crib sheet, or pillow, anything that makes their sleep space feel like home.
Night light: If your child uses a night light at home, bring it along. Familiar lighting can help them feel secure in a new environment.
Travel crib or air mattress: Make sure your child has a safe, comfortable place to sleep, whether that's a pack-and-play for babies or a toddler air mattress for older kids.
Stick to Bedtime Routines
Even when you're away from home, consistency is key. Try to keep your bedtime routine as close to normal as possible, same books, same songs, same sequence. This helps signal to your child's brain that it's time to wind down, no matter where you are.
Set Realistic Expectations
Let's be honest: holiday travel probably won't deliver the best night of sleep you've ever had. And that's okay! Your goal is to keep things familiar and cozy, not to achieve perfection. Stay flexible, embrace the chaos, and remember that a few bumpy nights are part of the adventure.
Room Sharing Strategies for Holiday Travel
Sharing a room with your child during the holidays is often unavoidable, and it can be a challenge if you're not used to it. But with a few smart strategies, you can make it work.
Create Separate Sleep Zones
Even in a small space, you can give your child their own designated sleep area. Use a pack-and-play, or a sleeping bag and air mattress, to create a mini bedroom for them. This fosters independence, helps manage different bedtimes without waking each other up, and keeps them from creeping into your bed in the middle of the night.
Use Sound Machines as Noise Barriers
When everyone's in one room, even the smallest sounds can be disruptive. Set up sound machines on both sides of the room to create a buffer. This helps muffle middle-of-the-night shuffles and keeps everyone sleeping more soundly.
Get Creative with Dividers
If you want to create a little extra privacy, use furniture or a closet door as a room divider. Positioning a luggage rack or opening a closet door between your bed and your child's sleep spot can give them a sense of having their "own room" within the room.
Double-Check Safe Sleep
Remember: even when you're traveling, safe sleep rules still apply. Babies should always be put to sleep on their backs in a safe, empty sleep space. We do not recommend bed sharing or co-sleeping even while traveling. There are so many safe travel sleep options for infants.
What to Do When Things Go Off the Rails
Here's the reality: even with your best efforts, holiday travel can disrupt sleep. Your toddler might resist bedtime because they're overstimulated. Your baby might wake up more frequently in a new environment. Your preschooler might decide 5 AM is the perfect time to start the day.
And that's okay.
If your child's schedule gets thrown off, you can get back on track when you return home. As a general rule, give yourself one to one-and-a-half days of recovery for every day you were away. So if you're traveling for three days, plan for five to seven days to get back to your baseline routine.
The truth is, once you have kids, travel is for memory making, not resting. The disruptions are always worth the time spent as a family.
Managing Sleep Disruptions at Home (If You're Hosting)
Not traveling? Hosting family for the holidays comes with its own set of sleep challenges! Here's how to keep things on track when your house is full of guests:
Protect nap time and bedtime. Let your guests know your child's sleep schedule in advance, and don't feel guilty about stepping away for bedtime routines. Your child's rest is important!
Use white noise. Sound machines aren't just for travel: they're lifesavers when your house is louder than usual with guests chatting, cooking, and celebrating.
Stick to routines. Even with company in the house, try to keep your child's bedtime routine as consistent as possible. This predictability helps them settle down despite the excitement.
Set boundaries. If your toddler is getting wound up from all the activity, it's okay to take a break and have some quiet time before bed. This helps them transition from chaos to calm.
Let them help. I always say the sign of a solid bedtime routine is that anyone can do it. Use this as a chance for your child to practice falling asleep with someone new. Grandma and Grandpa love an excuse for a few extra snuggles, and you get a little breathing room. Win, win!
Final thoughts
The holidays are about connection, joy, and memory-making. Yes, sleep is important… but it's not more important than the moments you're creating with your family.
If bedtime is a little bumpy, if your child misses a nap, or if you end up with a night or two of fragmented sleep, that's part of the journey. What matters most is that you're present, you're flexible, and you're soaking up this precious time with your little ones.
With a little preparation, some smart strategies, and a whole lot of patience, you can absolutely keep your child's routine on track during holiday travel without losing your mind or missing out on the magic of the season.
Safe travels, happy holidays, and sweet dreams to you and your family! 🎄✨
Need help getting back on track after the holidays? If your routine at home feels more chaotic than consistent, we can help! Book your complimentary consultation call today, and we'll work together to establish a sleep plan that adapts to life's special moments including holiday travel.
Meg O'Leary is an Infant and Child Sleep Expert and the founder of A Restful Night. Based in Westchester County, NY, she leads a team of certified sleep coaches to provide virtual support to families across the US and around the world.
