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THE HOLIDAYS AND SLEEP
Wow! The holidays are
here—and you are
dreading how they’ll
disrupt your now well-trained little sleeper. No need to fear, I’m here to help you get it all sorted out, just in time to enjoy all the fun that the season brings. Just follow my sleep plans for different scenarios and your holidays are guaranteed to be a dream—well, you know, minus the in-laws, the stressful last-minute shopping, overspending and hangovers.
FOR THE HOLIDAYS AT YOUR HOME
This is obviously the best scenario, because your child’s sleep won’t be disrupted that much at all—plus you will be in total control of when and where he sleeps. All you have to do is plan your holiday function around your child’s nap and/or bedtime. Stay firm when you get the puppy-dog eyes from aunts and uncles and the “can’t he stay up just a little longer?” wails from Grandma and Grandpa. If you can commit to your child’s well-being, then you will have a much happier little one on your hands—not to mention how much less stressful it will be for you.
FOR THE HOLIDAYS AT SOMEONE ELSE’S HOME
Yes, this scenario is more difficult than the one above, but not as tricky as you might think (or dread!). It’s you who will have to be disciplined enough to make a plan and stick to it. Stay firm when you get the “why can’t he stay up a little longer?” whines from your family members. Since most of you will likely be sharing your bedroom with your little one, make sure that you bring a portable crib or playpen for him to sleep in. Worst-case scenario: The room is too small and your child has to sleep in the bed with you. If this is the case, just do what you have to do. Having said that, it’s still vital that you keep to his bedtime and do his regular bedtime routine and naptime routine. Try to make the room as dark as possible and take his sound machine with you so he can feel like he’s sleeping in a familiar environment. Your goal is to make the room seem as much like his room at home as possible.
FOR THE HOLIDAYS IN A HOTEL
This scenario is pretty similar to the one above but with a bit of a bonus: You have the privacy of your very own accommodations. If your little one is sharing a room with you, you can place his crib in the bathroom or a big closet and create a makeshift nursery of sorts, minus too many sleep-interrupting distractions. Again, the biggest task is going to be having the discipline to leave dinner or a party in time to get Baby to sleep at his regular bedtime. You might want to stay out, but a cranky baby is no fun for anyone. So, be sure to get your little one the proper rest he needs to ensure that your holidays and his are happy.
Kathy Sinclair, CNCS, CPD, CLE, CHBE, graduated from Australia’s prestigious Charlton Brown Nanny College and began her professional career as a nanny in 1993. Kathy developed her specialty with infant sleep while working as a newborn care specialist in Los Angeles. Currently the founder of Baby Sleep Solutions, Kathy provides one-on-one individualized sleep consultations, leads Mommy & Infant groups for new moms, and lectures on sleep in and around Los Angeles. She lives in Ventura, Calif., with her husband and three dogs. She may be contacted through her website at www.babysleepsolutionsla.com.
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