Summer Travel Sleep Tips

Summer is such a special season for making memories: lake days, road trips, beach vacations, or just visiting loved ones. But if you’re traveling with a baby or toddler, you may be wondering: What will happen to their sleep?

The good news is with a little planning; you can protect their rest while still enjoying your trip.

Travel can be anxiety inducing and stressful for sure! I’ve been there and am still currently in the thick of traveling with little ones!

Here are my top travel sleep tips:

1. Try to bring sleep comforts from home
   Pack your little one’s sleep sack, favorite lovey (if age-appropriate), background noise machine, and crib sheets that smell like home. Familiarity makes a big difference.

2. Aim for flexible consistency
   While it’s okay to stretch nap or bedtime a bit, try to stick to your usual routines as much as possible. Keep the same bedtime wind-down steps, even in a new space.

3. Create a dark, separate sleep space
   Use blackout shades (or trash bags, aluminum foil, or painter’s tape in a pinch!) to keep the room dark. If you’re sharing a room, try to set up a visual divider like a blanket over a pack-n-play or using the bathroom for naps. Can’t tell you how many times we’ve squeezed a pack-n-play into the bathroom for our babies!

4. Plan travel around sleep when you can
   If you’re driving, try to leave at nap time so your baby or toddler can snooze in the car. For flights, consider nap-friendly time slots, and always have snacks, comfort items, and distractions ready.

5. Give grace & rest when you return
   Sleep might not be perfect on the road, and that’s okay. Once you're home, re-establish your normal routines. Most little ones bounce back within a few days.

Whether you’re heading to visit family or the beach, I hope you soak up the joy of summer with confidence and calm. These are days when the best memories are made!

And if travel throws your baby or toddler’s sleep off more than expected, I’m here to help you get back on track.