How To Bounce Back After The Holidays
Sleep is SO important and the foundation of everything, and in this season of parenting and holidays it can be hard to come by.
Read on for tips on how to bounce back after late nights, missed naps, and having babysitters.
I’m currently working with a family who on night 7 of our sleep training work together, the child was doing so well mom and dad felt comfortable going on a date night out, leaving their children with grandma!
Mom and dad had done amazing staying consistent with the plan to have their child sleeping through the night by night 2, and had left instructions for grandma on what to do if he woke.
They enjoyed a great date night, totally uninterrupted so heading home they figured everyone was sleeping great!
Imagine mom and dad’s surprise when they came home at 9:30pm to their child eating snacks and watching Cocomelon!!
Grandma said he made a little peep and she was worried he would wake, so we brought him downstairs to relax. (WHY!?!)
Luckily - mom and dad knew just what to do after having my in-home support to get their little one back on track!
If a situation like that makes you stressed and anxious about what to do next, I’m here to help!
This is the exact advice I offer all of my clients when you are either skipping naps due to holiday events or… (hopefully not) you come back from a date night to find your babysitter and child watching TV at 10pm!
Missing Naps:
Traveling during the day or know you will be out when it is typically your little ones naptime? Let’s get creative. It is important to get your little one naps during the day to protect night sleep (overtired children aren’t fun!), so how can we keep them on track? If you have a ride, try to time it up with naptime so they can get some sleep before you arrive at your destination. If that won’t work, try to have some downtime during the day to be in a calm/quieter/dim environment away from others to give them the chance to rest. Throwing a pack n play and Slumberpod (Code BABYOANDI$20 saves!) in the trunk could save your naps!
Having Babysitters:
Having time away for you and for you and your spouse is so important in parenting, so enjoy all the holiday parties this season brings! Give them the outline of your bedtime routine and timing, while setting out all the things they will need to make it as easy for them as possible. While they won’t do it exactly like you, having a routine that is consistent will help your child fall asleep easier, even if the person is a bit less familiar. Come home to something you weren’t expecting like my story above? No worries, just hop back on track and get your little one to bed as soon as you can!
Considering having baby spend the night at a grandparents or other family members house? THIS blog post can help ensure great sleep away from home!
Late Nights:
They happen! If you know you will be out past bedtime, try to adjust naps that day to let them sleep longer or adjust to be later so that they won’t be overtired and losing it while at the holiday dinner table. Have to drive back home after bedtime? Do a modified bedtime routine including a feed and changing them into pj’s, so when they fall asleep in the car you can easily transfer them into bed. Not sure on how to set a great bedtime routine? Grab my free 4-6 month bedtime guide HERE
As your family enjoys this holiday season and all the skipping naps and late nights it may bring, I hope you are able to enjoy every little bit and create memories to last for years.
Looking for more? Book a free 15 minute call to find out how I can get your family sleeping in the new year.