Helping your little one get a good night’s sleep when you’re away from home.

When you're away from home, bedtime can be something of a struggle with little ones in tow. I mean, we all like our home comforts, don't we? Just as you might find the hotel pillows less than perfect while you're on holiday, there's a good chance your little ones might find it hard to sleep in a strange environment too.

Here are three top tips for helping your baby to sleep on holiday.

Stick to Your Routine Wherever You Can

It's important to remember that while you're on holiday, flexibility is key - but that doesn't mean you should drop your whole baby sleep routine altogether. In fact, sticking to your routine wherever you can is probably the most important thing you can do if you want to help your bubs sleep. We humans are creatures of comfort and that goes for babies and adults alike. We need to know what we're doing and when and for babies this is essential if you want them to sleep well. So, stick to your routine wherever you can.

Try these tips to help your baby sleep on holiday:

• Take your SnoozeShade with you for naps on the go! If you're out and about and it's nap time, there's no need to cut things short or change your plans. If you have SnoozeShade with you, simply pop it over the pushchair to create an instant darkened sleeping environment. This will help to eliminate distractions and protect your bubs from the sun's rays too, so don't leave home without it!
• Plan your day around your baby’s naps. If you know that you're likely to be out for most of the morning, try to stick to the same routine as you normally would at home, returning to your hotel or villa in time for your baby’s usual nap. Alternatively, return to the pool and pop your bubs in their pushchair with SnoozeShade. Don't worry if you're a little late for the nap, or if your baby was up a little later than usual; adjust your timings as necessary.
• Don't skip naps. This is probably one of the worst things you can do while you're on holiday. An over-tired bubs doesn't sleep better at night.
• Let your baby lead the way. If she is ready for a nap a little earlier than usual, go with it. I she doesn't sleep at bedtime until a little later, go with that too. Things will settle back down again once you're home and back to reality.

Take Home Comforts With You

It might not be possible to take everything that your baby usually relies on for sleep but there are a few home comforts you can pack with you to make bedtime a little easier. Favourite blankets, comforters and so on are all important and essential tools when it comes to helping bubs sleep on holiday. Write a list of the things that your baby needs and make sure you pack them!

Stay Sun Safe

If you're going somewhere hot, take precautions throughout the day to limit the amount of sunshine your baby is exposed to and keep her cool and shaded. Obviously, SnoozeShade will play an important role in this! At other times, follow this guidance for easy ways to protect kids from the sun:

• Remember that babies under the age of six months cannot use sunscreen
• Make sure you avoid the sun completely at its hottest
• Find as much shade as you can for the rest of the day
• Dress them in long sleeved, long legged lightweight clothes and a sun hat

If your child does get too much sun, seek medical help. Be aware that too much sun exposure can not only be disastrous for night time sleep but can have serious health implications too. If unsure, stay out of the sun, cover up and always use sun protection. 

Further Reading:

Helping Your Toddler Sleep in Hot Weather
Helping Your Baby Sleep in Hot Weather
Tips for Sleeping Away from Home with Baby