Sleep & Celebrations: Navigating Your Child’s Schedule This Festive Season
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Managing your baby or toddler's sleep schedule during the festive period can feel like a juggling act. While sleep is important, it’s also okay to prioritise family time and embrace the joy of the season.
Here are some practical tips to help you strike a balance without feeling overwhelmed.
Manage your Expectations
Festive gatherings can be unpredictable, so expect that there may be some sleep disruption. Remember, it's okay if things don't go according to plan so try not to worry about every detail.
Strike the Right Balance for your Family
Some families choose to prioritize sleep, while others focus on family time, and both approaches are perfectly fine. What works best for you depends on your little one’s needs and your family’s plans.
Trust Your Instincts
Well-meaning friends and family may have opinions on your child’s schedule, and often their advice can be helpful. But ultimately you know your little one best. If tuning out the noise feels right for you, trust your instincts and focus on what works for your child - you’re the one managing any potential fallout from changes, so do what feels right for them.
What to Consider when Tailoring Holiday Schedules:
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Your goals: Would you prefer a skipped nap or a slightly later bedtime?
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Your child’s age: Newborns and infants typically need more consistency, while older babies and toddlers are often more adaptable.
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Your child’s temperament: Sensitive or easily overstimulated children may struggle more with schedule changes, while adaptable children can usually handle more flexibility.
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Your parenting style: Some parents are comfortable with off-schedule days, while others feel more confident sticking to the routine - and both are perfectly fine.
Practical Tips for Flexibility
If your child’s routine needs tweaking during the festivities, here are some practical suggestions:
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Morning Nap: Try to keep this consistent if your child still takes one, as it helps to support better sleep for the rest of the day. (Morning naps are typically dropped between 15-18 months.)
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Midday Nap:
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If traveling, consider a nap on the go
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If you know they will have a later bedtime, aim for an earlier, longer nap to build up their sleep reserves.
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Alternatively, delay this nap, but be cautious of overtiredness, which can lead to nap resistance or a shorter nap
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Afternoon Nap: For infants still taking this nap (usually dropped by 7-9 months), it can help compensate for missed daytime sleep and bridge the gap to bedtime.
Stick to Familiar Routines
Even with a flexible schedule, try to replicate familiar nap and bedtime routines as much as possible. These cues - like playing their favourite lullaby, portable blackout blinds or giving a soft toy can all help signal to your child that it’s time to wind down and rest.
Naps on the Go
If naps happen while traveling, create a sleep-friendly environment. Portable blackout blinds, white noise, their sleeping bag, or a favourite soft toy can all help to recreate a sleep-friendly environment and signal that it is sleep time.
Handling Overtiredness
If your child misses a nap or bedtime gets delayed, they may become overtired, making it harder for them to settle and stay asleep. Consider an earlier bedtime the next day or an extra nap for younger children to help them recover.
Later Bedtime
If your child falls asleep before getting home, transfer them to their cot or sleep space when you get home. If they wake during the transfer, simply repeat their usual nighttime sleep cues to help them resettle.
Limit Overstimulation
Holiday events are often busy and full of excitement, Even if naps are on track, overstimulation can still lead to overtiredness, making bedtime harder. To help them recharge, try incorporating quiet time during the day.
Things like listening to a story on a Tonie’s box, watching a Christmas movie, reading a book together, or colouring can all help.
Watch the Sweet Treats
Christmas is the season for treats, but managing sugar intake can help prevent hyperactivity that may make it harder for your child to settle at nap or bedtime. Try to choose alternatives when possible.
Don’t forget Snacks
We all know hunger and “hangriness” can sneak up on little ones - keeping snacks handy can be a lifesaver!
Prioritise Milk Feeds
For younger babies, find a quiet space for feeds. This helps ensure they get a full, efficient feed, keeping them settled and rested.
Reset after the Festivities
It’s normal for your child’s sleep to take a little time to adjust after all the festive excitement. Gradually reintroduce your usual routine, and with consistency, things will fall back into place.
Give yourself some grace
This season is about creating memories. It’s okay if your child’s sleep isn’t perfect for a few days, so try to enjoy the special moments without worry
Enjoy the Festivities - And Rest Easy
These tips are designed to help you feel more confident about navigating the festive season - whether you stick to your routine or embrace a more relaxed approach. Sleep disruptions are temporary, and with a little patience and consistency, your child will get back on track.
If you’d like support resetting your child’s sleep after the holidays, I’m here to help - book a free 15-minute discovery call to learn how my sleep packages can help you.
In the meantime, enjoy those special festive moments, knowing you can get back on track once Christmas is over.