How to keep baby sleep routine (as much as possible) on holiday

8 replies

Mandraki · 08/05/2018 19:48

We’re going away in a couple of weeks, only in this country in a cottage, so time difference will not be an issue. Our baby sleeps pretty well for the most part but I am a little worried and almost superstitious of taking her out of routine and messing her sleep pattern. When she was born I had severe anxiety and most of it was to do with sleep, I was obsessed with getting sleep and when she would sleep through. Am well now and I realise my worries were unfounded but in the back of my mind I’m still a bit worried about taking her away and her being out of routine. She is 8 months so not a tiny baby now.

Anyone been away at a similar age and any tips for keeping things as normal as possible, or do I need to just go with it?

OP posts:

123456kent · 08/05/2018 22:10

I’m similar in terms of anxieties re sleep (or lack of). I really stress about it all.
We are back from a holiday today with a 7 month old. Bed routine went a little out the window in order for us all to enjoy ourselves.
So far, back at home tonight, things seem fine.
You will remember the lovely things you did on holiday ‘throwing caution to the wind’ with routine etc, but you won’t remember if sleep went a little wrong for a little time because of it. Nice memories are so much more important.

123456kent · 08/05/2018 22:12

We took away with us everything we possibly could to replicate her nighttime routine though, and it did go well. But we went out for a meal one night and got in at 9.30pm ish and she was awake. Watched sunset on the beach, well worth the late night!

Eggzandbacon · 08/05/2018 22:28

We often planned the day around drives/naps, just because DD was a horror otherwise.

Billi77 · 09/05/2018 00:02

Controversial as it may sound, how about using the time away to completely ignore the routine and see what happens? You'll be on holiday so won't be governed by the kind of stress and timings that makes you need a routine at home. I speak from experience, but my DD still gets her 12-14 hours sleep within 24 and I find relaxing things very, well, relaxing.....

Billi77 · 09/05/2018 00:03

Personal experience!

And yes, saving naps for drives is always good, although also quite nice to save them for when you want some 'grown up time'

Original poster

Mandraki · 09/05/2018 09:35

All good advice ladies (and gents? Sorry haha!) thank you. Will be taking her Ewan the sheep and sleeping bags etc so hopefully she’ll still get the idea of sleep time. You’re right PP about making nice memories rather than worrying about a break in routine for a few days!

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Sipperskipper · 09/05/2018 10:16

Oh my god, I could have written this post. I had, and still have to a much milder extent, the same anxieties. DD will be one next week - sleeps and naps fantastically, but we have a very strict routine.

We are going to Mallorca in a month and I have the same worries. We are in a villa, and I will be taking pretty much our whole home set up! (Sleepyhead grand, sleeping bags, sleepytot, white noise, blackout blinds.....) and am hoping we can sort of loosely stick to the routine.

We shall see!

123456kent · 09/05/2018 10:58

In a villa/cottage it’s much easier (allowing for time difference, even if only one hour - makes a difference!)
It’s hotels that we found a slight issue with, because of eating out/sharing a room etc. But we got round it and no lasting harm done (hopefully!)

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