6 things you should do to help your kids sleep while travelling
10-06-2014
If you are going on a big trip overseas with your kids then there are number of things that you are going to need to think about. One of them is ensuring that your kids sleep well. Changing time zones and moving around a lot can play havoc with your children’s sleep patterns and if your kids are not sleeping well then chances are your sleep will be impacted and their behaviour during the trip will not be optimal... to say the least. That is why we have compiled a list of things you should do to help your kids sleep while travelling. Here goes:
1. Establish healthy sleep patterns beforehand
It is important that they are sleeping well before you go as if they aren’t then this will just magnify your problems during the trip. Most important is to make sure that they are going to bed at the same time and waking up at the same time every day. If they are still napping you need to make sure their nap is regularly scheduled as well.
2. Plan ahead
You need to work out each day of the trip. Where will you be during the night, does your child have a good place to sleep each night? You need to check with all your accommodation providers to ensure that your child has somewhere good to sleep each night. Often you need to organise for trundler beds ahead of time so plan and be prepared.
3. Bring any sleep accessories
Lots of young children have special attachments to toys, blankets and other sleep accessories. Make sure that you bring these along as they are a critical component in ensuring that your kids sleep ok on holiday. Also make sure that you have all the other items they will need like pajamas. It may pay to get them an eye mask and ear plugs depending on where you are going. The more of their personal belongings you can bring the better.
4. Stick to the sleep routine
You need to make sure that they stick as closely to their normal sleep routine as possible, while helping them to transition to the new time zone. Keep track of when they are going to bed and make sure that they are getting enough sleep. The first few days will be the hardest so you will have to play enforcer.
5. Help them adjust to changing time zones
While ensuring that they are sleeping enough you also need to help them with the time zone changes. Make sure you expose them to natural light and make sure that they get outside to play in the first few days in a new time zone as this will help.
6. Make sure that you help them when you return home
Don’t forget that getting home will require just as much adjustment as the trip itself so make sure that you follow all the above tips when you arrive home as well.
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