My Top 5 Sleep Tips for a Summer Well-Spent
Today is the first day of summer, the sun is shining (hopefully), school is drawing to a close, and many families are busy planning adventures or simply savoring the thought of a slower summer spent at home. You’re picturing long, lazy evenings with a cold glass in your hand, warm afternoons spent wriggling your toes in the sand, reconnecting with family or friends, or finally exploring a new place you’ve always wanted to visit. And then a little niggle of doubt creeps in at the back of your mind…how will you enjoy these things and manage to keep your kids well rested and happy at the same time?
The good news is that you (and your kids) can enjoy your summer adventures, whether they’re close to home or miles away. A little extra thought and preparation can go a long way toward your whole family staying well rested and enjoying your time together.
My Top 5 Sleep Tips for Summer
Avoid overscheduling and overtiredness
We have a tendency to try to squeeze in as much as possible when visiting a new city or spending time with family and friends. I’m going to let you in on a little secret here: overtiredness is a baby’s worst enemy. A child who is overtired will struggle to get to sleep and stay asleep during naptime and nighttime, which results in less sleep for everyone. And when everyone is tired, no one is able to truly enjoy the experiences you have planned for your family. Make time in your day for your babe to get the sleep they need so you can all enjoy your time together.
Stick to your regular schedule as much as possible.
Whether you’re travelling or staying close to home, it can be challenging to balance your regular schedule with summer activities. Kids thrive on structure and predictability; it makes them feel safe and secure and gives them the confidence to explore new things. If you can’t be “home” for all of your naps, try to get in a good first nap before you venture out for the day and get creative with the rest of your naps. An occasional nap in the stroller, car seat, or carrier while you’re travelling shouldn’t cause major problems once you return home and it will give your child an opportunity to rest. Keeping your regular bedtime allows your child to get the consolidated sleep they need to be ready for the next day’s adventures!
Follow your regular routine
Kids love routine, and your bedtime and naptime routines help your child settle into sleep. Maintaining your regular routines while you’re on the road will help your babe get the sleep they need, even in a different environment. If a bath is part of your bedtime routine, plan ahead and find out if there is a bathtub, baby bath, or large sink you can use. If a story is routine for you, bring a book or borrow one from friends.
Re-create your child’s sleep environment
If you’re travelling, pack up your travel blackout blind, white noise machine, crib sheet, blankie, sleep sack, and hit the road. Plan ahead to borrow or rent a crib or playpen from friends or hotels. Taking along these familiar items will help your babe feel comfortable and safe, and help them get to sleep, even in an unfamiliar setting.
Create a separate sleeping space for your child
Whether you’re staying with friends or in an Airbnb, get creative and find a safe way to make a separate sleeping space for your little one. If your child can see you from the crib, you can expect they would much rather play with you than go to sleep. Call ahead to find out if there’s a safe, alternative space for your crib or playpen, or create a partition if you’re sharing a room.
Summers are meant to be spent with the ones you love, so go ahead and plan those beach days, camping trips, family dinners, adventures abroad, soccer games, and lazy evenings. Giving a little extra thought to your child’s sleep in advance means you’ll all be able to truly appreciate your time together.