After a child is born, every mundane act turns into an adventure. It is only when the baby sleeps that the mother has time “off duty”, or to tend to herself and her needs. That is why the baby needs to maintain a consistent newborn sleep routine. Which can become challenging when one is travelling. Be it a change in time zones, weather, modes of travelling or just excessive movement in general along with packing, managing an itinerary it all starts to feel more like a mission than travel.
Keeping a routine intact allows the baby’s body to know when it is time to sleep, meanwhile helping their emotional and physical development, disruptions to which can lead to crankiness, missed naps and the most dreaded split nights; when the baby wakes up in middle of the night and takes a long time to fall back asleep.
Prepare well for the trip!
1. Packing the essentials :
Babies thrive on comfort and familiarity and replicating their home-sleep environment can make all the difference you need. Pack up some sleep essentials to give your baby a home-like feel
- It can be a portable crib that your baby regularly uses
- Your baby’s blanket or a favourite stuffed toy.
These items can create a sense of normalcy for your baby, making it easier to calm them down irrespective of the place you are at.
2. Plan Your Travel Around the Sleep Schedule
Timing is everything while you travel with a baby, try to book flights trains or road trips around your newborn’s sleep schedule. An afternoon flight might coincide directly with your little one’s usual nap time, allowing them to sleep through that part of your journey and minimising the chances of overstimulation.
3. Introduce Gradual Changes Before the Trip
If you’re heading to a different time zone, try to start adjusting your baby’s schedule a few days before departure like shifting their nap and bedtime routines by 15–30 minutes each day to align with your destination’s time zone.
This gradual change can help in avoiding the shock of an entirely new schedule while reducing the chances of split nights.
On the road
1. Familiarity with Bedtime Rituals
Babies are creatures of habit, so no matter where you are sticking to their usual bedtime rituals is a wise choice. It can be a warm bath, lullabies or bedtime stories, maintaining these routines will signal to your baby that it is time to go to bed.
2. Comfortable Sleep Space
Hotel rooms and guesthouses are generally not designed while keeping newborns in mind, but you can make them work.
- By setting up a bassinet or a portable crib in a more quieter corner of your room.
- Using blackout curtains to block lights from the windows
- Using lullabies or white noise machines/videos to drown out unfamiliar sounds
The goal is to follow your newborn’s sleep schedule and recreate that environment as closely as possible.
3. Avoid Overstimulation
Traveling with your baby is an exciting experience but it can also feel a bit overwhelming To avoid bedtime battles keeping activities low-key in the hour leading up to sleep helps.
Skip the loud restaurants or late-night sightseeing with the baby and instead focus on quiet, calming activities that do not disrupt your newborn’s sleep schedule.
4. Monitoring Nap Time
While it is tempting to let naps run long during travel, if you are not careful with the amount of sleep your newborn is getting you may fall prey to split nights, where your baby is wide awake in the middle of the night. Stick to your usual nap durations and ensure feeding times remain consistent to avoid any hunger-related wake-ups.
Overcoming Challenges While Traveling
1. Dealing with Time Zone Changes
Adjusting your new time zone can be tricky but it’s manageable with a little planning. Gradually adjust your newborn’s sleep schedule before departure, and once you arrive in a new place, expose your baby to natural light during the day to help reset their internal clock.
If your baby is up too early or struggling to fall asleep at bedtime, don’t stress as time zone adjustments can take a few days, just stay consistent with your routines and see your baby adapt gradually.
2. Handling Split Nights
Split nights can feel like a travel nightmare. To prevent this, avoid letting your baby nap too close to bedtime, even if they seem tired. Keep them engaged during the day and ensure they’re getting plenty of physical activity to tire them out naturally.
- If a split night does happen, make sure to stay calm.
- Avoid stimulating activities
- Keep the room dark and quiet
Gently encourage your baby back to sleep and eventually, you will the magic happen.
Tips for Returning to Your Baby’s Normal Sleep Routine
After the trip, it is natural for your newborn’s sleep schedule to feel a little off. The key is patience. Give the baby a few days to settle back into their normal sleep rhythm. Remember, consistency is more important than speed when it comes to resetting their sleep routine.
Conclusion
Travelling with a baby can be a demanding act, but with thoughtful planning and a focus on consistency, you can keep your newborn sleep routine intact. Embrace the adventure, but don’t hesitate to prioritize your baby’s rest because it’ll make the journey smoother and comfortable for the whole family.
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