UncategorizedDecember 4, 2021by Saja Hayek0Holiday Sleep Tips

It’s the most wonderful time of the year!

It’s also packed with family events and plans with friends that can make you feel like you’re stretched in a million different directions – especially because parenting is 24/7 even during the holidays!

Take a deep breath, remember your priorities, and accept that you might have to say “no” to an event occasionally to maintain your family’s well-being.

I think you’ll agree with me when I say that sleep is an essential component of your family’s well-being (and your sanity too). The excitement of the holidays can sometimes be too much for our little ones, so it’s not uncommon for them to have more meltdowns at this time of the year. If their sleep is disrupted on top of that, then they’re more likely to have tantrums. Here are a few tips on how to minimize disruptions to your child’s sleep during the upcoming holidays:

  • Prioritize events and figure out which ones are ok to miss so that you can maintain your child’s sleep schedule as consistently as possible.
  • But it’s the holiday season! There’s so much to do and you don’t want them to miss out. If you’re expecting a night out past bedtime, make sure your little one’s naps remain on schedule. If, on the other hand, you’re expecting a busy day, then make sure that bedtime is a priority.
  • Family and friends will want to hold your baby; keep in mind that being passed from one person to another can overstimulate a baby.
  • Add some quiet time before the bedtime routine to help your child relax. You can cuddle with them and sing lullabies, read a book, or color to help them wind down from the day’s excitement.
  • If you’re staying away from home, take their blanket, their favorite stuffed animal (if their age allows), white noise machine, etc… with you to create a sleep environment that is similar to the one at home.
  • Keep the same bedtime routine that you follow at home. They might struggle to fall asleep the first few days. Show them where they will be sleeping before bedtime and offer some extra hugs for comfort.
  • Try to stay consistent with your sleep schedule 80% of the time and lenient 20% of the time. This means that if you stay consistent for 5 days, you can be lenient for 1 day. This will help you preserve your child’s healthy sleep habits.

When the holidays are over, go back to your established sleep routine and schedule. It might take your little one a week or so to get back on track. If that doesn’t happen and you need some guidance then click here to book a free call!

 

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