The holidays are full of magic - family dinners, late nights, holiday parties, and travel. But with a baby or toddler in tow, all that excitement can sometimes come at the expense of sleep. If you’re worried about how to enjoy the celebrations and keep your little one settled, you’re not alone. Here’s a simple, realistic guide to navigating the Christmas/ New Year season without sacrificing rest for the whole family.
Why The Festive Season Can Disrupt Sleep?
Holiday fun often means late evenings, changed routines, extra stimulation, travel - all of which can throw off a baby’s internal clock and sleep rhythm. When naps are skipped or bedtime is pushed, overtiredness sneaks in. That overtiredness can lead to night-waking, early rising, fussiness, and general sleep chaos.
Five Ways to Help Sleep Survive the Festivities
1. Prioritise One Good Nap (or Two) - If naps are interrupted by holiday events, aim to get at least one solid nap in bubs cot, carrier, or contact nap. A quiet, restorative sleep during the day helps your baby handle the extra stimulation and delays the “overtired meltdown.” If a full nap isn’t possible, a short 10-15 minute “bridging nap” (pram, car, carrier or contact) can help keep bigger sleep issues at bay.
2. Try the 80/20 Rule - It’s okay to bend the schedule for special occasions. If you skip or shift bedtime one night, don’t panic, just aim to return to your routine for the next few nights. Consistency over time helps reset your baby’s internal clock without too much upheaval.
3. Bring Familiar Sleep Cues With You - Travel or attending someone else’s home? Pack familiar sleep tools - white noise, sleeping bag, muslin or comforter, and even a favourite bedtime book. Recreating your baby’s usual sleep cues helps them feel safe and more likely to settle.
4. Wind Down With a Mini Bedtime Routine - You don’t need a full evening routine after a busy holiday day - just a simplified wind-down works wonders. Think a cuddle & a song, soft lighting, white noise or familiar sleep items, then a calm settle. 5–10 minutes is enough to cue sleep mode.
5. Expect a Little Wobble. Then Reset! - It’s common to see a night or two of disrupted sleep after a fun day out. Early rises, additional wakings or fussy nights happen sometimes. Try your regular settling routine the next night, prioritise naps the next day, and give your baby time to bounce back.
Bonus: Use Light and Sleep Environment to Your Advantage
If you’re travelling or changing time zones, morning light is your friend. Morning sunshine helps regulate melatonin production and reset your baby’s internal clock. Keep sleep spaces as familiar as you can - similar bedding, noise environment, darkness for sleep to help cue rest even when surroundings change.
Holidays don’t have to be a sleep-free zone. With a little planning: one good nap, familiar sleep cues, a simple wind-down, and consistency, you can enjoy social nights, travel, and festive fun without leaving your baby’s sleep in tatters.
If you’d like a ready-to-go sleep plan, with routines and tips for naps, bedtime and travel, check out our age appropriate sleep guides - https://thesleepteacher.com.au/collections/sleep-guides-consults
Let the festive fun begin🎄
