When schools out, I often hear parents say sleep falls by the wayside. You've got baseball games to go to, you've got camping trips, lake days, family reunions, weddings, etc. Summer gets busy! After all we only have a few months of it and we want to make the most of it.
When it comes to your little one's sleep though, there are a few things you may have to say no to or just slow down a little bit.
You have to remember your little one's sleep is priority. It's what helps them grow and develop.
You also need to remember that their little bodies just can't keep up with the big things we can. I'm not just talking about running as far as we can run or biking as fast as we can. I'm also talking about the mental stimulation. Every new place they go to and every new person they meet can be overwhelming for those little minds. Which can also make it really hard for them to fall asleep easier at naps and night time.
And one last thing to remember, if you don't prioritize your little one's sleep, you will soon no longer enjoy your summer because no one will be sleeping and the whole family will be grumpy and irritable.
So here's some tips to help you still enjoy your summer and still prioritize your little one's sleep.
1. Schedule events a little more spread apart. Give your baby or toddler some time to rest up after a big holiday before going onto the next one.
2. Hold some events at your house so that your baby or toddler can still stay on their sleep schedule.
3. Pack their room up and bring it with you. If you have a little one that is extra sensitive to their sleep environment and loves to be at home in their bed. Don't be hesitant to bring the things that make it feel like home. The same blanket, the same teddy, the same noise machine and don't forget to keep the room dark wherever you go. 4. Add in down time if you're unable to do a nap. If you gone on a day trip and your baby or toddler has to skip a nap, try taking them to a quiet space where they can at least get some down time. Just going away from the stimulation and letting their brain and eyes rest can be a big help and preventing some big meltdowns.
5. Plan things around nap time. Travel during nap time. Plan events before or after naps, not during.
Summer holidays can still be lots of fun for everyone, you just will need to be a little more conscious of when your baby or toddler has reached their "maxed out" zone so you can take some days to rest up.
Now go have fun and Sleep Easy!
And if things really get too much to handle and you're completely at a loss of how to get back on track, you can contact book a FREE 20 minute consultation with me by clicking here.