The whole naps while traveling issue is a pretty pivotal one. Your baby or toddler will already be experiencing new things and will be prone to overstimulation (and meltdowns). Adding sleep deprivation into the mix is not recommended.
On the flip side, though, you can't spend your vacation tethered to your hotel room, and naps tend to fall right during the peak sightseeing time of the day.
Instead, pick one of these tactics to balance naps with travel.
Napping on the Go
The easiest option for parents is to let your baby or toddler nap on the go. While that sounds easy, it isn't always so. Babies and toddlers who are often napping on the go take well to this. If your child has always napped snug in his or her crib, don't expect it to happen so easily.
Try these tips to set yourself up for napping on the go success:
- First of all, be sure the "on the go" transportation (usually a stroller) is nap-friendly. Does the stroller recline? Is it soft and padded? Is there a sun shield?
- If the transportation is an infant or baby carrier, be sure it's comfortable enough for the adult to wear through an extended nap and that the child can lay his or her head down comfortably.
- Keep a small pillow and blankie in the basket of the stroller or in the diaper bag to give your child for nap time.
- Keep your child out for some on the go naps several times before your trip, and if you can try to do it for several days in a row beforehand. That way, your child will get used to it while still in the less-stress situation of the home territory.
- If your child loves to sleep in moving transportation, like automobiles or trains, try to time it so you are on the move during nap times. That way, the child can catch up on sleep during those times when you're en route.
Napping in the Lodging
You may be one of those people whose child will not sleep on the go. Simple as that. That is OK, too. You can still have an enjoyable vacation with as little interruption as possible. Here are some tips:
- Replicate the routines and the atmosphere of home as much as possible, and you might consider bringing your own travel bed.
- Divide your day in two: before nap and after nap. Plan accordingly. For example, hit the busy museum as soon as it opens, then return to put baby down for nap. If you bring carryout luncj (or, better yet, local farmers market finds), you can eat lunch and relax while baby naps. You might find you actually enjoy the downtime. Then have a separate itinerary for after nap.
- If you will be in a new time zone, adjust all routines accordingly and try to spend the week before the trip moving your baby to the new time.
- If a nap simply must be missed, try to at least give your child a stretch of less stimulation, then opt for an early bed time that night.
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