Sleep Schedule on Vacation: How to Stick to It
Why order is more important than time, and what to bring along to keep things familiar.
A child who sleeps through the night just fine at home may suddenly wake up at five o'clock while on vacation. This is rarely due to the bed and almost always due to the child's sleep rhythm. Below are some practical tips that work best.
Follow the order, not the clock
A bedtime routine is essentially a series of familiar steps: eating, washing up, putting on pajamas, a bedtime story, and turning off the light. You can stick to this order no matter where you are, even if the time shifts. Your child will recognize what’s coming and fall asleep more quickly than if you rigidly stick to the schedule you follow at home.
Bring one familiar item with you
Bringing your own sleeping bag, fitted sheet, or stuffed animal does more than you might think. It smells familiar and turns a strange room into a familiar place. That’s all it takes; a bag full of stuff just makes packing harder.
Find a place of your own
Sleeping in your bed might seem easy, but it usually doesn't give anyone a good night's rest. Having your own place to sleep that looks the same every night works better, whether it's in a hotel room or at a campground. Read more about how to arrange your own sleeping space when staying overnight.
Be flexible about the afternoon nap
On vacation, afternoon naps are more likely to happen in the stroller or the car than in bed. That’s fine. What’s more important is that your child isn’t overtired at the end of the day, because that will actually make for a more restless night.
If things do go wrong, focus on the first night instead of the whole week. Often, one calm, predictable night is enough to get back on track.
