How To Sleep Well In a Hotel With Kids

So, your thinking of staying in a hotel with kids. Who couldn't use a vacation right now?? Getting out of your house, away from your norm, and just taking a breather sounds amazing doesn't it?? However, with kids in tow, many parents think of a vacation as the total opposite -- something that will be horrendous, stressful, and begging you to return back to your day to day routine at home. Just because you have kids doesn't mean travel is off the table! You CAN have your cake and eat it too, while your kids are sleeping well! Read on to grab tips on ensuring your hotel stay will replicate your nights at home so you can fully enjoy those huge comfy hotel comforters!

Don't Over Schedule...

One of the main things about being some place new is the desire to see "all the things". Families want to visit this park, that beach, and shop in new stores not available back home. Before packing in a full day of sight-seeing fun, take a second to think about your little one and their needs too. We all know that children do best when they are well-rested, so ensuring naps and bedtimes remain consistent are a must. Yes, nap timing may be a little earlier or later. And yes, some naps may be on the go in a car seat/stroller/carrier. But the more you are able to replicate your little ones home sleep schedule, the better everyone's vacation will be. Bedtime should be non-negotiable.

Where Will My Child Sleep?

Being in a hotel may mean that your child won't have a designated room or independent sleep space like they are used to having at home. For infants under 6 months that may not be as much as a problem, but for older children this will present it's own set of challenges. Don't be afraid to pull out your interior decorator side and move any furniture possible. The goal is that your child will not be able to easily see you from their bed, as who wants to roll over and sleep when your favorite people are in sight? Hotels typically have large bathrooms and closets (both dark and pretty sound proof!) so these can be perfect sleep areas for your little one.

If you don't typically bed share at home, this is not the time to start. Think about all the different positions you find your child in throughout the night when you check the monitor. I know my boys start at one side of the crib, end up at the other side at one point, then are somewhere else when I wake up. No one sleeps well with an elbow in your ribs or a foot by your nose, so keeping them in their own sleep space will mean better rest and a more enjoyable trip for everyone.

If your hotel doesn't have a large enough closet, or you don't want to run to the lobby each time you have to use the bathroom, check out the Slumberpod. It is a breathable but blackout pod that covers a pack n play or toddler cot to give your child their own sleep space. Even better, there is a space for a monitor and a sound machine can easily be slipped under the bottom. These pods come folded neatly in a little case as well, so they are super portable and easy to pack in a suitcase. 

What Will My Child Sleep In?

Often hotels advertise having pack n plays or mini cribs available to have set up in the room upon arrival. Ensure to request a picture or a detailed description before arriving to know that it will work for your child. Depending on your child's age or size, it may not be appropriate or safe for them to sleep in.

My go to recommendation for when to sleep in is a pack n play for older infants and toddlers. If you are traveling with a small infant, this portable bassinet with stand is perfect to keep them close by your bedside while away from home. With older children that sleep in a toddler bed at home, these toddler cots or inflatable beds are similar to replicate what they are used to. Do not use anything with these sleep areas that do not come in the manufacturers box.

What Should I Pack?

Make sure to pack anything and everything your child typically uses for sleep situations.

What If My Child Cries?

This is a huge fear of parents while staying in a hotel with kids. No one wants to be "those" guests. And you certainly don't want to hotel security knocking at your door. Being in a new environment, it can be expected that a child will protest. Ways to get your child great overnight sleep is to keep bedtime the same, and ensure they aren't going down overtired. Overtired children protest harder and fight sleep longer then if they are well rested, so keep that bedtime nice and early. During bedtime, you want to keep on your same routine and expectations around falling asleep independently. That way if they do want up at night, they will be more likely to be able to put themselves down quickly.

As your child's bedtime is most likely between 6 and 8pm, don't worry if they do a little crying at this time. Most likely your hotel neighbors will still be awake, or may not even be in their rooms yet. Again, having your child fall asleep independently at bedtime will positively impact nighttime wake ups. If your child does wake in the middle of the night, give them some time to ensure it is a true wake up. Here you can provide comfort and attempt to soothe in their sleep situation without bringing falling back into a sleep prop. If all else fails, do what you need to do. Tomorrow is a new chance to hop back on board, and worst case, restart independent sleep expectations once you get back home.

Looking for some ideas on a solid bedtime routine? Check this post!

Final Tips

Depending on the location of your travel, you may need to consider time changes, long car rides or plane trips. 

Be aware of the temperature in the room. Often when I got to hotels I am freezing, but can never figure out how to turn the air down. Ideally you want to keep your child within the 68-72 degrees they are accustomed to at home. If you aren't able to adjust the temp in the room, adjust how you dress your child. Adding layers (onsies, long sleeve pj's, fleece or cotton sleep sacks) can make the difference in their comfort and sleep.

Attempt to get a check-in time well before your child's nap or bedtime. Coming into a new environment can be overstimulating, so you want to give your child time to acclimate to their new surrounding before expecting them to sleep. Have them explore the room and show them their sleeping arrangement so it won't come as a surprise later in the day.

Does your child not sleep well even when home in their natural environment? Dreading travel, or putting it off all together because of your child's sleep? Tired of being tired? Find out here how to get on the road to life changing sleep for your whole family.

Jensine CaseyComment