Even for us adults sleeping in a hotel room for the first night may be challenging; let alone children. Trying to get used to sleeping in a completely foreign environment, adapting to the too soft or too hard pillows or mattress, and the different smell may be disruptive to our sleep pattern. When you are halfway around the world on this well earned family holiday, the last thing you want is sleep deprived, insomniac (and cranky) children.
Here are our 8 Simple Ways to Help Your Child Sleep Better When Travelling:
1. Request a quiet room
Put in the request at time of booking. Mention that you will be travelling with a young child and request a quiet room, away from the elevators or stairway to reduce the amount of foot traffic.
2. Book a bigger room
If your budget allows, book a bigger room or an adjoining room. That extra space allows you to enjoy the evening with a glass of wine while your little ones sleep nearby. If you are sharing a room and the child usually sleep in their own rooms at home, consider creating a visual barrier between yourself and the kids to discourage visual stimulation.
3. Bring your own portacot
Many hotels provide baby cot free of charge. If cots are not available, bring your own portacot with pillow case and bed sheet from home so bedding smells familiar and comforting.
4. Assess your surroundings
Check around the hotel room to see if you need to child proof any section. If your child tends to roll over in all sorts of directions in their sleep, use the provided extra pillows as a barrier on the floor and next to the side table.
5. Stick to the same sleeping schedule
Try and stick to your usual sleeping schedule as you would back home (with some flexibility). On days that you know you will go over their bedtime, take their pyjamas with you. This way you can change them on the way back to the hotel and if they fall asleep, you can transfer them into their beds straight away.
6. Recreate bedtime routines
Despite changes of schedules and sleeping environment, try to keep your bedtime routines constant. If books and song are parts of your normal routine, stick to them.
7. Bring their comforter
Bring your child’s usual sleeping blanket and favourite toy (in our son’s case a Hot Wheels car) to sleep with. Turn on soothing music to help relax your child and to block the noise from the hallway and the outside.
8. Close the curtain gaps
Sunlight creeping through curtain gaps is a sure way to cause everyone to wake up way earlier than expected. Close the gaps with pegs or skirt hangers or pile pillows on the floor for tighter fit.
If despite all the above your child still refuse to sleep just know you have done the best you possibly can. The memories you create will far outweigh the sleepless nights that might follow.
