The holidays are supposed to be magical, but if you have a toddler or big kid, they can also be a little chaotic. Late nights, long drives, a different bed, a house full of relatives, and a schedule that goes out the window can all add up to a child who sleeps differently than usual. The good news is that you don’t need a perfect routine to get through it. A few simple choices can help protect your child’s sleep, and your own sanity, from Thanksgiving through New Year’s.
Why the Holidays Can Shake Up Toddler Sleep
Even happy changes can be a lot for a small body. Holiday travel and gatherings often come with:
A new sleep space. Different rooms, different beds, and unfamiliar sounds can make it harder for some children to settle.
More light. Hotel rooms and guest rooms often have thin curtains, hallway lights, or streetlights that may keep a room brighter than your child is used to.
A thrown-off schedule. Skipped naps, later bedtimes, and car naps at odd times can leave a child overtired, which can make sleep harder, not easier.
More stimulation. New faces, lots of noise, and extra excitement can make it tougher to wind down.
None of this means your child’s sleep is broken. It usually means they’re reacting to a lot of change at once, and that’s very normal.
Protect the Basics
You can’t control everything on a holiday, so pick the few things that matter most. For many families, that might be a consistent bedtime on most nights, protecting a nap when able to, the same bedtime routine from home, or a few familiar sleep items that bring comfort.
Keeping your bedtime routine the same can also help. Even in a hotel room or at Grandma’s house, the same bath, books, song, or cuddle tells your child’s body that sleep is coming. Familiar things from home, like a sleep sack, a lovey, a favorite blanket, a sound machine, or an okay-to-wake light if your child uses one, can make an unfamiliar room feel a little more like theirs.
Children who already have a solid sleep foundation often handle holiday disruptions more easily, because they have strong habits to return to. If your child doesn’t have that foundation yet, reaching out before the holidays start can help you head into the busiest season with a plan.
Set Up the Sleep Space Wherever You Are
One of the biggest differences between sleeping at home and sleeping away is the room itself. A dark, quiet space can make a big difference, and it’s one of the easiest things to bring along.
This post contains affiliate links, marked with an asterisk, which means I may earn a small commission if you purchase through them, at no extra cost to you. Sleepout also sent me a set of their portable blackout curtains to try. I’m only sharing products I’d feel comfortable recommending to the families I work with, and my opinions are my own.
For younger children, the SlumberPod is a great option. The SlumberPod* is a blackout cover designed to go over a portable crib, playard, mini crib, or toddler cot, and it’s recommended for ages 4 months to 5 years. It creates a dark, cozy space for your child to sleep, and it’s designed to let air in while keeping light out. It’s also a great option if you’re sharing a room, because it gives your baby or toddler their own separate sleep space, so your light, phone, or movement may be less likely to disturb them. You can use code COUNTINGSLEEPWITHCOURTNEY for 10% off, and sometimes more when they’re running a sale. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions for setup, and if you have a baby under 12 months, make sure you’re following the AAP’s safe sleep guidelines.
For older kids, or when you want to pack light, Sleepout portable blackout curtains are a great choice. Sleepout Portable Blackout Curtains* attach to a window via suction cups that have Velcro on them. They’re much smaller and lighter than a SlumberPod, which makes it easier to tuck into a suitcase when you’re already juggling a car seat, a stroller, and everyone’s holiday outfits. It works well for big kids in a regular bed or travel bed, and it’s a good pick for any trip where space is tight. Because it covers the window instead of the bed, it also works for kids who have outgrown a crib or cot.
When You’re Staying With Family
Staying with relatives comes with its own set of challenges. A few things that can help:
Talk about bedtime with your family ahead of time. A quick, friendly heads-up that your child goes to bed at a certain time helps everyone plan the evening around it.
Ask where your child will sleep. If you can, choose a quiet room away from the main party, and set it up before bedtime so there’s no scramble.
Prepare your child for the changes. In the week or so leading up to your trip, talk about what’s coming in simple, positive words, like “We’re going to sleep at Grandma’s house, and we’ll bring your favorite sleep things with us. You will still have your lovey, sound machine, and sleep sack.” If you can, show them photos of where they’ll sleep, and once you arrive, let them explore the space before bedtime. Bring their favorite sleep items and keep the routine familiar. Bonus: If you’ll be using a SlumberPod, set it up at home in the week leading up to the trip so they can explore it and get familiar with it during awake time.
Plan for an early start. A new place can sometimes lead to early wakings, so it helps to have a quiet activity ready if your little one wakes before the rest of your family. If early mornings become a pattern, my post on early morning wakings can help you troubleshoot.
It’s Okay if Sleep Isn’t Perfect
Here’s the part I want you to hear: a couple of late nights, some skipped naps, or a few rough nights away from home does not undo your hard work. Holidays are meant to be enjoyed, and it’s okay to let your child stay up for the tree lighting or the family dinner. What matters most is how you get back to normal afterward.
Once you’re home, go back to your usual bedtime and routine as soon as you can. Many children settle back in within a few days, especially if they had a solid sleep foundation prior to travel.
Getting Back on Track After the Holidays
If your child’s sleep still feels off a week or two after the holidays, it may be worth looking at the whole picture. Maybe your child used to be a great sleeper, and you’re wondering what changed, or maybe holiday habits have turned into new ones, like extra help at bedtime or ending up in your bed. For some families, sleep was already a struggle before the holidays, and their child never had a solid sleep foundation to begin with. After the holiday chaos, the fresh start of a new year is a great time to get sleep support.
Every toddler and big kid sleep plan starts with the Ready, Set, Sleep Prep Plan™ and then moves into a custom sleep plan built around their family. You never have to figure it out alone.
Want More Help Getting Sleep on Track?
Grab my free Travel Guide for tips to protect sleep while you’re away, including time zone change tips, plus a packing list so nothing gets forgotten. And if the holidays have left your family in a sleep slump, book your free 15-minute discovery call and let’s talk about what would help.
