Sleep Through the Holidays
The holiday season is upon us and for most people that means exciting parties, late nights, fun family traditions and some time off work. While all that sounds exciting and great, for most parents this time of year can result in overtired, overstimulated, cranky children which can quickly turn the holidays into a less than enjoyable time.
Surrounding kids with family, traveling, and inevitably getting them off their schedule can throw some kids for a loop, but there are some things you can do to prevent things from totally going haywire this holiday season.
#1 Deep Breaths.
There is only so much control you’ll have over your child’s schedule with all of your holiday obligations. Breathe and try to enjoy the time with family and friends. Everything can and will get back to normal once the celebrations die down. Try not to let the anxiety around your child's sleep ruin your time this holiday season.
#2 Prioritize Naps.
Do what you have to do in order to get those naps in. They all may not take place in the ideal environment, like their crib, but try as hard as you can to remain on schedule. Bring a pack-n-play with you and set it up in a quiet space. Going for a walk or planning to travel around naptime in order to get that nap in the car will help ensure that naps happen when they should. Investing in a portable sound machine will also help to drown out any outside noise and help recreate your child's sleep environment on the go. If you know that you are going to have a later night than normal, there is nothing wrong with offering a catnap in the evening to help them make it to that later bedtime. We like to recommend following the 80/20 rule if you can. 80% of naps are “normal” while 20% of them are on the go and altered.
#3 Early Bedtime
Early bedtimes are key for an overtired baby or toddler. If naps don’t go as planned, there is nothing wrong with a 6:00 or even 5:30 bedtime if your child is acting tired or skipped a nap during the day. This early bedtime will help them recoup the sleep they missed during the day and reset their mood for the next day. Don’t stress about an early morning wake! Because they need the rest, they should wake at their normal time.
#4 Pick & Choose
This goes for two things, pick and choose your battles with your child and which events you attend. Go into the holidays knowing which things for your child’s sleep will be non-negotiable. I personally, won’t apologize for showing up somewhere an hour late if it means my toddler gets to finish her nap. Will your family think you’re crazy? Maybe. But you and your child will both be happier if they are well rested. Secondly, know that with the schedule demands of the holiday season, attending everything may not be possible. For example, if you have two late night activities, choose one to attend and adjust that schedule accordingly. Maybe forgo the next night's event so your child’s sleep has a chance to catch up.
The holidays are meant to be enjoyable. Do what you can in order to help your little one sleep through the fun but don’t lose sight of what this season is really about- making memories with your family and children. If your child goes into the holiday season with a solid sleep foundation, there should be no reason they can’t bounce right back once the holidays are over.
