Okay parents, travelling with infants sounds like an extreme sport! Especially when you've figured out your baby's sleep routine and you are in two minds about risking it all for a weekend getaway (or a long vacation).
But mama, papa, please don't cancel your plans! Don't let the fear of sleepless nights rob you of sunsets, snuggles, and magical memories with your little bundle of joy. We understand that babies are unpredictable, and their sleep schedule can get a little wonky from time to time. But with the right prep, the right mindset, and the best baby sleep products from Cocoon Care, you can have your baby’s sleep routine during travel sorted for you.
How to Help Baby Sleep When Preparing for Travelling
Here are some useful travel sleep tips for travel-bound parents with infants who are wondering about how to maintain a baby’s sleep schedule when travelling:
1. Adjust Sleep Schedule in Advance
If you are traveling to a destination with a different time zone, you can start shifting your baby's nap and bedtime 15-30 minutes each day in advance. This transition can ease jetlag and help in keeping baby's sleep disruptions to a minimum.
2. Maintain a Familiar Sleep Routine
One of the most important baby sleep travel tips is that you must stick to your baby's usual bedtime routine. Do the storytime, lullabies, and cuddles before slipping them into the newborn baby sleeping bag, no matter where you are. This routine plays a significant role in comforting your baby in a new environment.
Check out our newborn baby sleeping time and baby sleep patterns by age explained to understand your baby’s sleep needs as they grow.
3. Pack a Sleep-Friendly Travel Kit
Do not forget to pack your child's sleep essentials while travelling with infants. This can include their favourite infant night suits, newborn sleep suits, sleep pods, etc. All this will help recreate a familiar sleep setup when you're traveling.
4. Keep Baby Comfortable
Use soft and breathable clothing and newborn sleep suits for your child while traveling. Try to keep their favorite soft toy or blanket and cushion by their side so that travel sleep feels just like home to them.
5. Adjust Quickly to the New Time Zone
Expose your child to natural light and keep naps in sync with the local time. A few days of consistency will help your little one adjust their sleep rhythm.
6. Plan Travel Around Nap Times
Okay, this travel sleep tip for infants is basically a game-changer. Try scheduling your flights or your road trips, or long train rides during your child's nap schedule. Motion can soothe your child to sleep, making travel time a perfect opportunity for you and your little one to get some shut-eye. This is, hands down, one of the smartest ways to maintain your baby's sleep schedule when traveling.
For more insights on your baby’s sleep development, check out the month by month breakdown of how much sleep is normal for a baby.
7. Adjust Feeding Times Gradually
Feeding and sleep for babies are closely linked. In the week or 10 days before your trip, start slowly shifting your child's sleep times to get it in sync with their destination's time zone. This will greatly help in realigning the baby's sleep routine during travel. It will also help to prevent them from being wide awake at midnight.
8. Be Patient & Flexible
Parents, there's a very high chance that your baby might skip a nap or take a cat nap. And that's perfectly fine. Patience and a flexible mindset will help you navigate the situation like a pro and even comfort your kid to help your baby sleep while traveling.
For more baby sleep tips, check out how to make a baby sleep fast: 7 tricks that work.
Conclusion
Your baby is not going to remember missed naps, but he or she will definitely remember the smiles, the silly songs, and the joy of being with you at a new place. To maintain your baby's sleep schedule while traveling, you just have to take care of your child's comfort, routine and give him or her a lot of cuddles.
To that end, you can visit Cocoon Care, which is one of the best places for online baby shopping in India. We have an excellent range of infant night suits, sleep pods, newborn sleeping bags, and muslin swaddle wraps that can really help you give your little one the nap-friendly travel comfort. Remember, kids cannot just sleep while traveling, but they can actually sleep like a dream if everything is taken care of.
Frequently Asked Questions On Baby Sleep Travel Tips
1. How can I help my baby sleep well while travelling?
To help babies sleep while traveling, you can stick to their familiar bedtime routine. Create a comforting space for them with their favourite sleep essentials so that even on-the-go, sleep feels like home to them.
2. Should I adjust my baby’s sleep schedule before travelling?
Yes, the right prep in terms of realigning your child’s sleep schedule is a great way to manage jet lag and protect your baby's sleep routine during travel.
3. What’s the best way to handle naps while travelling?
Try planning your travel around your kid's nap time. Since motion works like magic for travel sleep, it will make the commute cosy and comfortable for you and your child.
4. How can I help my baby sleep on a plane?
Choose flight times that align with your child's nap or bedtime. Dress them in breathable clothes and snuggle in with their favourite toy or blanket. Once the lights around you become dim, it will cue your child that it's time to sleep, even mid-air.
5. What are the must-haves for baby sleep while travelling?
Some of the must-haves to include in your travel kit to help your baby sleep well are newborn baby sleeping bags, infant night suits, familiar sleep objects, portable sleep pods, white noise apps etc.
With Love, from Cocoon Care
Dear Parent,
No matter where you are, your baby deserves gentle beginnings and comforting care. At Cocooncare, we pour love into every stitch. From soft muslin swaddles to cozy sleep pods and thoughtfully made newborn clothing, our essentials hold your baby with the same tenderness as you do. You can find baby essentials on our website and also on Amazon, Firstcry, Myntra, Nykaafashion and DuckDuck baby.
Because every baby deserves to be cocooned in care.
About the Author: The Cocoon Care Editorial Team works with pediatric consultants and experienced parents to bring you baby care tips you can trust.
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