Yes, sleep is important, and a well-rested little one will make your festive celebrations and family gatherings so much more enjoyable. But these special times often require flexibility. Let's talk about how you can make the most of the holidays, enjoy family gatherings, and set your baby up for the best sleep possible.
How can I help my baby stay well-rested over the festive period?
1. Start with a good sleeper
Truly, this is my best tip for a well-rested baby over the holidays. If your little one is already a great sleeper before the festive season, they're much more likely to be flexible with sleep when things aren't as routine.
If sleep is always a struggle and you need a plan to follow, our Sleep Guides can help. Our method looks at three key areas which all work together harmoniously for good sleep: sleep environment, routine, and self-settling. Once these three are working together, your baby's sleep can dramatically improve within days.
Pro Tip: If sleep doesn’t feel in a great place yet and your baby is over 3 months, check out my FREE Self Settling Masterclass here, or if your baby is under 3 months, watch my Newborn Secrets Masterclass here.
2. Plan for at least one good nap each day
During your festive celebrations, set your days up for success by getting at least one solid nap in the crib/cot. This can make a huge difference by minimising potential over-tiredness with lots more stimulation that usual.
So make this your goal: at least one good nap a day in their crib. If the other naps need to happen on-the-go, while baby-wearing, or in your arms, so be it. That one good nap will make for a much happier baby and (hopefully!) happier holidays.
3. Pay attention to age-appropriate schedules
To prevent an overtired little one, follow an age-appropriate schedule. You may find that with all the additional excitement and stimulation of the holidays that they are ready to nap/sleep earlier than usual. That's why it's so important to balance what you know about schedules with your little one's cues.
I know that sleepy cues can be harder to spot in the busy-ness of festive gatherings, but try your best to watch your little one so that you can offer a nap or bedtime when it's needed. Remember, you know them best!
4. Provide additional support if needed
If you miss those sleepy cues and your baby becomes overtired, you may need to provide some additional support to help them get to sleep. Overtired little ones often catch a "second wind" and become either cranky or extremely silly (for toddlers). This is when it can be harder for them to get the sleep they need.
To support them, take your baby into a dark, quiet space to lie down. You may need to sit with your little one as they fall asleep, even if they're normally an independent sleeper. Don't let this stress you: helping your little one sleep on the day of a festive party or family gathering won't ruin anything. This extra support may be exactly what's needed to get restful sleep.
5. Consider adjusting your baby's schedule for the day
Adjusting your baby's schedule could look like waking them earlier in the morning to fit in the first nap before a gathering, allowing a nap to go longer to shift bedtime later, waking them early from a nap to make it to an event on time, adding an extra catnap to help shift bedtime later, carving out quiet time for those who won't catnap, or moving bedtime earlier to adjust for missed daytime sleep.
These adjustments may not follow your typical schedule, but it's okay to be flexible to make your festive plans work. Our goal is to have a well-rested baby so they can be their best selves to enjoy family gatherings and festive events.
Don't stress about sticking to a rigid schedule that could ruin your day. Instead, be flexible and responsive to what you know about your child and what you see.
Is it okay to let my baby stay up late during the festive period?
Yes, it's okay to let your baby stay up past their typical bedtime for a special occasion. I want you to have a great little sleeper so that you have the freedom to enjoy making memories with your family during the holidays, knowing that you won't "mess things up."
Do you have any tips for hosting overnight guests during the festive season?
Yes! Be sure to read all of the tips above, but I do have a few extra tips just for hosting family or friends overnight around the holidays:
1. Keep your baby in their normal sleep environment if possible
If it's possible for your little one to stay in their normal sleeping environment, do that.
I understand that not all homes have a guest bedroom and you may be sharing a room. But bring as much familiarity as possible with you - slept-in crib sheet, slept-in sleeping bag, comforter, pacifier, white noise machine. All of these will help this new sleep environment feel more familiar and more like home.
2. If you have to decide whether to move a baby or an older child, move your baby
In my opinion, babies can adapt more easily than toddlers. Young children can be more easily thrown off by staying in a new room, especially in your own home.
3. If your baby is moved, recreate their normal sleep space as closely as possible
Remember to double-check your recreated environment for safe sleep and set up your baby's temporary space with familiar sleep cues like complete darkness and a sound machine.
What are your best festive travel tips?
If you're travelling during the festive period, plan naps around travel times and stay roughly on your routine timings where possible. Bring along your baby's familiar sleep essentials – sleeping bag, white noise machine, comforter, or pacifier. These familiar items will help signal to your baby that it's time to sleep, even in a new environment.
I like to get my son roughly onto local time when travelling and then stay roughly on his routine, but allow naps and early evening sleep in the pram wherever possible. Be flexible but not chaotic. Having some structure will help your little one feel secure and sleep better.
Pro Tip: Visit our Amazon store for travel essentials like portable cots, travel blackout blinds, and compact white noise machines that make travelling with a baby so much easier.
One more important thing: safe sleep is non-negotiable.
This cannot be emphasised enough. No matter how busy the festive season gets, safe sleep practices must always be followed. Always place your baby on their back to sleep, keep the sleep space clear of toys and loose blankets, use car seats only for sleep while in the car, never leave your baby unsupervised on an adult bed or sofa, and maintain a safe room temperature (16-20 degrees Celsius).
How do I get my baby's sleep back on track after the festive period?
The best way to get your baby's sleep back on track is to return to your sleep plan. Don't allow any new habits to extend beyond the festive break.
If sleep is always a struggle and you need a plan to follow, our Sleep Guides and Guide + Call packages can help. Our step-by-step guides give you a clear approach for teaching your little one to sleep in the crib while still providing emotionally-connected reassurance.
These are plans for restful nights and peace of mind, knowing your little one can prepare for and recover from an exciting festive season.
Need a step-by-step plan?
Our Sleep Guides give you the blueprint to follow to help your baby learn to sleep well every night and nap like a champ! Choose your little one's age below.
Final thoughts
The festive period is a special time for making memories with family and friends. With a bit of planning, flexibility, and realistic expectations, you can navigate the season while maintaining healthy sleep habits for your little one.
Remember: you can be flexible for a few days without ruining all your hard work. A well-rested baby who has good sleep foundations will bounce back quickly once you return to your normal routine. So enjoy the festivities, be present with your family, and don't stress about the occasional late bedtime or missed nap.
If you need more support with your little one's sleep, whether it's preparing for the festive period or getting back on track afterwards, take a look at our guides here or if you are ready for 1:1 support then you can book that here.
