How to Get Your Baby or Toddler to Nap When You’re on Vacation

If you’re like most parents, you probably dream of taking a vacation with your little one but worry about how you’ll ever get them to take a nap while you’re away from home. After all, nobody dreams of vacationing with a fidgety, restless child. But do not fear! With a little planning and preparation plus a slight mindset shift, you can definitely make it happen. We’ve compiled our best tips for taking naps on the go, so you and your little one can get some much-needed rest on your next trip.

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Here are a few tips to get your kid to nap while traveling:

1. Choose your destination carefully
   Where you go on vacation can make a difference in whether or not your baby or toddler will have an easy time taking a nap. If you’re traveling somewhere that is really new and different for them, they may have a hard time adjusting to the new surroundings and napping may be more difficult. On the other hand, if you pick a place that is similar to home (think grandma’s house), they may feel more comfortable and be more likely to take a nap. However, this does not mean that you can only go to familiar places. Just consider how you can make the new surroundings more familiar, e.g. by choosing to stay in an appartment with a homey feel or bringing a stroller that they normally nap in at home.
2. Plan ahead: The key to any successful nap is planning ahead. Plan your schedule for the day with nap-friendly activities – like strolling by the harbor or through a museum – at nap time. Talk to your kids about where or how they will be taking a nap well before you are close to nap time. Let them know when you expect them to sleep. This way, they won’t be surprised when it’s time to close their eyes and they’ll be more likely to cooperate.
3. Bring along some familiar bedtime items
   If your child has a special lovey, small blanket or toy that they sleep with at home, definitely pack it! Having something familiar from home will help them feel more comfortable in an unfamiliar place and may make it easier for them to fall asleep. It’s also a good idea to bring along any other bedtime items that they are used to. Just make sure you don’t forget these items when returning home!
4. Keep to their normal schedule as much as possible
   If your child normally takes a morning nap at 9 am and an afternoon nap at 1 pm, try your best to stick to that schedule while you’re on vacation. Sure, there will be times when things come up and you have to deviate from the plan but if you can stick as close to their regular schedule as possible, it will make naps much easier.
5. Make sure the sleeping area is fairly quiet and shielded from visual input
   It can be tough to find a completely silent place for napping when you’re traveling but do what you can to find a quiet spot for your child to sleep. If complete silence isn’t possible, just look for a place with consistent noise and not too many abrupt sounds. Some kids even sleep easier with some background noise from e.g. people chatting in a restaurant. We find that the most important thing is to shield your kid from visual input. So do bring a thin blanket, a cover or a big scarf to cover the crip or stroller.
6. Consider an earlier bedtime
   An earlier bedtime may not be ideal for mom and dad but if it means everyone gets some extra rest, it may be worth considering. An early bedtime will also help ensure that no one is overtired which can often lead to harder nighttime sleeps (and more meltdowns!).
7. Be a little creative about where to nap.
   Think a little out of the box when it comes to napping places. You don’t have to be chained to your hotel room at nap time. Sometimes the stroller is perfect but other places are good, too. Like a quiet stretch of the beach (with your kid wrapped in a towel), the shade under a palm tree at the local park, in the car seat during transport, or in the baby carrier during a hike. We have previously made a guide about which type of carrier to use.
8. Be prepared for setbacks
   Even if you follow all of these tips perfectly, there’s always a chance that your baby or toddler just won’t want to take a nap while you’re on vacation (it happens!). If this does happen, don’t stress too much – just try again tomorrow!
   

Final words

Taking a vacation with your little one doesn’t have to be stressful – with a little bit of planning ahead, you can definitely make it work! Just remember to plan your days with nap-friendly activities, bring along some familiar items from home, try to keep as close to their normal schedule as possible, and make sure they are shielded from visual input when sleeping. Oh, and don’t forget to pack some patience – things may not always go according to plan but that’s all part of the fun!

With these tips in mind, you’re sure to have a much smoother – and more restful – vacation with your kids next time around!