40+ Brilliant Baby Sleep Tips for Vacation

Planning a trip with your little one? These baby sleep tips for vacation will help your entire family rest easier no matter where you go.

Traveling with a baby can be challenging, especially when it comes to sleep. In this guide, we’ll share practical baby sleep tips for vacation to help your little one rest peacefully, ensuring a more enjoyable trip for the whole family.

I know that getting your baby to sleep while on vacation can be a real challenge.

Whether you’re staying in a hotel, a friend’s house, or an Airbnb, the change in scenery and routine can disrupt even the most sleep-savvy babies.

But don’t worry, I’ve got you covered! In this post, I’m going to share some great tips to help you get your baby to sleep while you’re on vacation.

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Mom Approved Baby Sleep Tips for Vacation

Before Your Trip:

One of the most essential baby sleep tips for vacation is maintaining your usual bedtime routine—even if it’s slightly adjusted for the trip.

1. Stick to a consistent sleep schedule in the days leading up to your vacation.
2. Choose accommodations that offer a separate sleeping space for your baby.
3. Bring your baby’s familiar crib or portable crib if possible.
4. Pack your baby’s favorite blankets, loveys, and sleep toys.
5. Consider using blackout curtains or travel-sized blackout blinds.
6. Bring a white noise machine or use a white noise app on your phone.
7. Keep your baby’s bedtime routine as close to the usual one as possible.

According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, maintaining a consistent sleep environment is crucial for infant sleep health.

During Travel:

Don’t forget to pack essentials like a travel crib and blackout curtains—key items in any set of baby sleep tips for vacation.

8. Plan your travel times around your baby’s sleep schedule.
9. Dress your baby in comfortable, breathable layers for the journey.
10. Feed your baby during takeoff and landing to help with ear pressure changes.
11. Use a baby carrier for naps on the go.
12. Bring a portable crib or play yard for use at your destination.

At Your Destination:

If you’re crossing time zones, baby sleep tips for vacation include gradually adjusting your baby’s bedtime a few days before you leave.

13. Create a safe sleeping environment for your baby.
14. Set up the crib or sleeping space away from high-traffic areas.
15. Maintain a consistent sleep routine, including the same bedtime and naptime rituals.
16. Be mindful of time zone changes and adjust your baby’s schedule gradually.
17. Keep the room at a comfortable temperature.
18. Use a baby monitor to keep an eye on your baby while they sleep.
19. Avoid overstimulation before bedtime.
20. Ensure your baby gets enough daytime sleep to prevent overtiredness at night.
21. Consider room-sharing if you feel more comfortable with your baby nearby.
22. Use a white noise machine or app to drown out unfamiliar sounds.
23. Dim the lights in the room to signal that it’s bedtime.
24. Keep bedtime as calm and soothing as possible.
25. Try a gentle massage or warm bath before bedtime.
26. Offer a comfort feed or pacifier if your baby is used to it.
27. Maintain your usual bedtime routine, even on vacation.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention provides guidelines on safe sleep practices for babies.

Feeding and Comfort:

During our road trip last summer, we relied on these baby sleep tips for vacation to get through four different hotel stays without chaos.

28. Continue to breastfeed or bottle-feed on demand.
29. Bring enough formula or breast milk for the duration of your trip.
30. Stay hydrated and well-nourished to ensure a healthy milk supply.
31. Be prepared for changes in your baby’s appetite due to travel stress.
32. Keep comfort items like a favorite blanket or stuffed animal handy.

Adjusting to New Surroundings:

This portable sound machine is one of my favorite tools from the baby sleep tips for vacation toolkit.

33. Spend time in your vacation rental or hotel room during the day to help your baby acclimate.
34. Allow your baby to explore the new environment under supervision.
35. Maintain a consistent wake-up time to anchor your baby’s schedule.
36. Offer plenty of outdoor time and fresh air during the day.
37. Keep noise levels down in the evening.

Naps:

38. Create a dark, quiet space for daytime naps.
39. Use the same sleep cues for naps as you do for bedtime.
40. Stick to a flexible nap schedule, adjusting for your baby’s needs.
41. Be prepared to nap on the go if needed, using a stroller or carrier.

Safety:

Cozy baby sleeping in a travel bassinet—following baby sleep tips for vacation can make sleep easy on the road.

42. Babyproof your accommodations to ensure a safe sleeping environment.
43. Use a travel crib or playpen with mesh sides.
44. Remove any hazards from the sleeping area, such as cords or small objects.
45. Always follow safe sleep guidelines for infants.

Patience and Flexibility:

46. Be patient with your baby’s adjustment to the new environment.
47. Remember that it’s normal for sleep patterns to temporarily change during travel, and things will likely improve when you return home.

❓ FAQ

🛍️ Amazon Affiliate Product Recommendations

• Portable White Noise Machine: “A portable white noise machine, like the Hatch Rest Mini, can help mask unfamiliar sounds and soothe your baby to sleep.”​
• Travel Crib: “Consider the Lotus Travel Crib for a lightweight and easy-to-set-up sleeping solution.”​
• Blackout Curtains: “These portable blackout curtains can help create a dark sleep environment anywhere.”

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