Sleep Advice & Insights
Holiday sleep tips for babies, toddlers and preschoolers (0–5 years) · By Hattie Frank
Family holidays are something we look forward to for months. Whether it's your baby's first trip to the seaside, a week in the sunshine or simply a few days spent with grandparents, holidays give us the chance to slow down, make memories and enjoy precious time together.
But if you've worked hard to establish healthy sleep habits, it's completely understandable if those holiday plans come with a few worries too.
One of the questions I'm asked most often as a baby and child sleep consultant is whether going on holiday will undo all the progress parents have made with their little one's sleep.
The good news is that the answer is almost always no.
Will sleep look exactly the same as it does at home? Probably not. Holidays bring excitement, new experiences, unfamiliar surroundings and a break from everyday routines, so it's perfectly normal for sleep to wobble a little.
What matters is remembering that a few unsettled naps, a later bedtime or an early morning doesn't mean all your hard work has been lost. Children are incredibly adaptable and, with a little preparation and consistency, most settle into holiday life much more quickly than we expect.
Rather than aiming for perfect sleep, aim to protect your child's sleep where you can while still enjoying everything your holiday has to offer.
After all, holidays are about making memories too.
Think about how you sleep on your first night somewhere new.
Even if you're exhausted from travelling, it can take a little while to switch off. The room feels unfamiliar, there are different sounds outside and the bed isn't quite the same as your own.
Children experience this too.
A different environment, exciting days and a change in routine can all have an impact on sleep. Your little one may take a little longer to settle, wake a little earlier than usual or need some extra reassurance during the night.
This is completely normal.
In most cases, children adapt surprisingly quickly once they realise that, although they're somewhere different, bedtime still feels familiar and you're responding in the same way you always do.
You don't need military-style planning to have a successful holiday, but a little preparation can make all the difference.
If possible, try to keep your child's sleep on track in the week leading up to your holiday. A well-rested child is generally much better equipped to cope with travelling and changes in routine than one who is already overtired.
When you're packing, think beyond clothes and sun cream. What helps your child settle to sleep at home?
Even something as simple as their usual fitted cot sheet can make an unfamiliar sleep space feel much more comforting.
One thing I never travel without is a portable blackout blind. While many hotels have blackout curtains, holiday cottages and villas often don't, and the early morning sunshine has a habit of waking little ones long before anyone is ready to start the day!
One of the biggest concerns parents have is whether they need to stick rigidly to their usual routine while they're away.
My advice is to keep things as consistent as you reasonably can. If your child usually has a nap after lunch, a bath before bed or always enjoys the same bedtime story, try to keep those familiar routines in place. They provide reassurance and help signal that it's time to sleep, even in a new environment.
Where possible, aim to keep naps and bedtime at roughly the same times as you would at home, adjusting to the local time if you've travelled abroad. Consistency helps support your child's body clock and often makes settling to sleep much easier.
That said, holidays aren't everyday life. There may be the occasional later evening watching the sunset, a family meal that runs over or a day spent exploring somewhere new.
One late night, one missed nap or one day that doesn't go to plan won't undo all the progress you've made. Children are far more adaptable than we often give them credit for.
If your little one usually sleeps in their own room, sharing a bedroom while you're away can sometimes make settling a little more challenging.
They may spot you when they stir during the night and decide that it's time to say hello, have a chat or check that you're still there!
If possible, try to create some separation within the room. A travel blackout cover, a screen, or simply positioning the travel cot out of direct sight can help your child feel like they still have their own sleep space.
If sharing a room is your only option, don't worry. Keep your usual bedtime routine, respond in the same way you would at home and remember that this is only temporary. A few nights of a different set-up won't undo all the progress you've made.
However relaxed your holiday feels, safe sleep guidance should always stay the same.
If you're travelling with a baby under 12 months, always place them on their back to sleep on a firm, flat mattress with no loose bedding, pillows or soft toys.
If you're using a travel cot, check it's been assembled correctly and that the mattress fits properly.
Although babies often fall asleep in car seats or pushchairs while travelling, these aren't designed for routine or prolonged sleep once you've reached your destination. If possible, transfer your baby to a safe, flat sleep space as soon as you can.
If you're travelling somewhere warm, take extra care to keep your child's sleep environment comfortably cool and avoid covering prams or pushchairs with blankets or muslins, as this can cause temperatures inside to rise quickly.
Perhaps the most important piece of advice I can give is this: don't let sleep become the focus of your holiday.
Of course, a well-rested child usually means happier days for everyone, but it's also important to remember why you've gone away in the first place.
Your child won't remember whether bedtime was twenty minutes later than usual.
They will remember building sandcastles, splashing in the sea, spotting aeroplanes from the airport window or sharing an ice cream with you on a sunny afternoon.
Protect sleep where you can. Be consistent where it matters. Stay flexible when you need to.
Most importantly, give yourself permission to enjoy making those precious family memories.
And if your little one's sleep needs a gentle reset when you get home, don't worry. Most children settle back into their usual routine surprisingly quickly.
Need a little extra support?
If you find you need a little extra support when you get home, I'd be happy to help you find the right approach for your family. Book a free 15-minute discovery call — no obligation, just a conversation.
Book a Free Discovery Call
About the Author
Hattie Frank
Hattie is a baby and child sleep consultant and the founder of Not Another Peep. She supports families with children aged 0–5 years, helping them understand their child's sleep and find practical solutions that work for their individual family.