Sleep and Holiday Travel: Flexibility Now, Routine Later

Holiday travel with babies and young kids can feel intimidating, especially when sleep has finally started to feel predictable. I hear this concern from parents every year, and I want to offer a gentle reminder before the bags are packed: it is okay to be flexible. Your child’s sleep will be fine.

Travel naturally disrupts routines. Time zones shift, naps happen on the go, bedtime stretches later than usual, and familiar sleep environments change. None of this means you are “undoing” good sleep habits. Sleep is not as fragile as it can feel when you’re tired. Healthy sleep foundations don’t disappear after a few days of flexibility.

When you’re off enjoying your holiday travel plans, your goal is not perfect sleep. Your goal is connection, memories, and getting everyone through the days and nights with as little stress as possible. If your baby falls asleep in the stroller, the car, or your arms instead of the crib, that’s okay. If bedtime is later than usual, that’s okay too. Short naps, skipped naps, or extra night wakings can happen during travel, and they are often situational, not permanent.

What I encourage families to do while away is keep the “bones” of the routine when you can. A familiar wind-down sequence, even a shortened version, helps signal sleep. The same sleep sack, white noise, or bedtime phrase can go a long way in an unfamiliar space. At the same time, give yourself permission to respond differently if needed. Travel is not the time to push big sleep changes or work through every protest.

One thing I often remind parents is that children are incredibly adaptive. They may sleep differently on vacation because their bodies are responding to stimulation, excitement, and changes in schedule. This doesn’t mean they’ve lost the ability to sleep well. It simply means they’re adjusting.

The most important piece comes after you return home. This is where consistency really matters. When you’re back in your own space, gently return to your usual routine. Resume regular wake windows, naps, and bedtime. Put your child down in the way you normally do at

home. Most kids fall back into their rhythm within a few days, especially if they had a solid routine before the trip.

If sleep feels a bit messy when you get back, that doesn’t mean something went wrong. It just means your child needs a short reset. Early bedtimes for a few nights, predictable days, and calm confidence from you usually do the trick.

Travel is a season, not a new normal. Flexibility during a trip does not cancel out all the work you’ve done to support healthy sleep. Trust the foundation you’ve built, enjoy the trip, and know that when you come home, routine is always there waiting for you. If you’re traveling soon and want support before you go, or if sleep feels off when you return, and you want a clear, realistic plan to get back on track, I offer one-on-one troubleshooting calls. These are short, focused sessions where we talk through your child’s age, travel schedule, and current sleep challenges so you leave with concrete next steps and peace of mind. You can book a troubleshooting call through my website whenever you need support. Happy Holidays, Sarah Freed Certified Pediatric Sleep Consultant