Travel Sleep Tips for Babies and Toddlers: 9 Sanity-Saving Strategies from a Sleep Consultant
Traveling with babies or toddlers? Don’t panic — just plan. Whether you’re heading on a weekend road trip or flying across time zones, these 9 tried-and-true sleep tips will help you keep naps, night sleep, and your sanity mostly intact. From setting up sleep spaces to managing time changes and everything in between, here's how to make your next family trip a little smoother.
1. Plan for on-the-go naps.
If you're hoping for a car nap en route, aim to leave early so you're out of city traffic and onto the highway before nap time. And if your baby never naps well in the car? Try not sitting in the back with them — sometimes less stimulation actually helps them settle.
2. Pack their creature comforts.
Bring the key items that signal sleep at home: their sleep sack, crib sheet (bonus points for sealing it in a ziplock to preserve the scent of home), white noise machine, monitor, and don’t forget infant Tylenol/Advil — especially if you're heading somewhere remote where these aren't easily accessible.
3. Give them their own space — kind of.
You don’t need a whole room, but a bathroom, walk-in closet, or alcove can work wonders. A SlumberPod is worth its weight in gold when it comes to creating a dark, distraction-free sleep space (you’ll thank me later).
4. Set up the sleep space without them.
Once you arrive, get the sleep area set up first without your baby or toddler in it. Then bring them in, do a feed, diaper change, a bit of play, and show them around — this little routine helps with orientation and comfort.
5. Handle time changes gently.
Time zones can throw everyone off. The key? Keep naps from getting too long, wake them at an appropriate local AM time, and maximize daylight exposure — especially in the morning and late afternoon — to help reset their internal clock.
6. Expect some middle-of-the-night weirdness.
With a time change especially, your baby might wake at odd hours. If that happens, keep the room dark and quiet, and avoid turning on lights or engaging in play. Try not to treat it like a wake window. It’s okay to offer some support — a quick cuddle, feed, or gentle reassurance — but begin withdrawing that extra help within a couple of days, and things will usually settle back into place.
7. Lower your expectations — just a little.
Travel sleep doesn’t need to be perfect. If your little one needs more help than usual, that’s okay. Stick to familiar routines as much as possible and remind yourself: once you’re home, consistency will bring things back to baseline.
8. Naps on the go are your friend.
Stroller, carrier, car seat — wherever the nap happens, let it. Just remember that on-the-go naps aren’t as restorative, so a calming bedtime routine and slightly earlier bedtime may be needed after busy, active days.
9. Recalibrate when you get home.
As soon as you're back, return to your usual sleep setup and routines. Even if things went a little off-track while traveling, most babies bounce back quickly when the structure returns at home. Don’t carry the temporary habits back with you.
Pro Tip: On travel days themselves, go into survival mode. Forget perfect naps or ideal feeding windows — focus on keeping everyone fed, safe, and relatively calm. Sleep can stabilize once you’ve arrived and settled in.
Need more support?
Every baby is different, and travel throws in a lot of variables. If you're planning a trip and want personalized advice, to get your baby sleeping before you go—or help getting sleep back on track when you return—feel free to reach out. We’re here to help you and your little one get the rest you need, no matter where you are in the world.
Author: Andria Gordon
Andria Gordon is the Founder of Have Baby. Must Sleep., a leading child sleep consulting agency. As a Certified Pediatric Sleep Consultant, she has helped over 2,000 families get the rest they need. She regularly speaks to parent groups, daycares, and preschools, and her work has been featured on Global News Canada.
Andria co-founded a certification course focused on Children’s Sleep and Medical Conditions, and is a proud member of several professional associations. A former senior ad executive, she’s known for providing warm, high-touch support to every family she serves.
Follow her on Instagram @havebabymustsleep for sleep tips and expert insights.
About Have Baby. Must Sleep.
Have Baby. Must Sleep. is a leading pediatric sleep consultancy supporting families with children ages 0 to 5. The team specializes in high-touch, fully customized sleep coaching designed to fit each family's unique lifestyle and values.
Founded and run by a mom who know firsthand the toll of sleepless nights, Have Baby. Must Sleep. offers compassionate, expert-led support that goes beyond one-size-fits-all advice. With over 2000 families helped and a sole focus on pediatric sleep, the team brings deep knowledge, proven methods, and a commitment to getting families the rest they need and deserve.
Learn more at www.havebabymustsleep.com.
