The holiday season can be a hectic time, filled with festivities, family gatherings, and traveling.

Amidst all the chaos, every parents wish is to keep sleep as stable as possible to avoid added stress, meltdowns and exhaustion.

So how do we set our little one’s up for success when it comes to sleep during this time?

I can assure you that maintaining good sleep habits during this time can help them feel secure, well-rested, and enjoy the holiday season to the fullest. However, flexibility is needed, and the great news that a rested baby going into unpredictability is VERY predictable and happy to adjust to any situation.

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Here are 5 tips to help you keep naps on track during this busy time.

Start working on sleep BEFORE holiday festivities begin. Don’t wait. The foundation for a well-rested baby or toddler during the holidays begins with establishing healthy sleep habits beforehand. It only takes a few days to begin seeing sleep become more predictable, longer and your child better rested. If you give your baby this gift of sleep before the holidays, they will be more adaptable to changes and disruptions.
Maintain your bedtime routine wherever you are. Even amidst the holiday chaos, strive to maintain your consistent bedtime routine. Bedtime wind-down rituals provide a sense of security for your little one, especially in new environments. We feel more secure when we know what’s going to happen. Babies are the same, a consistent bedtime routine and bedtime can provide that sense of security. It can cue them for sleep no matter where you are.
*If you are heading home late, you can put them into their pjs, do a mini bedtime routine in a dark space, put baby in their carseat, let them sleep and transfer them when you get home.
Be prepared. If you anticipate staying out later in the day, take your little one's pajamas, playpen/pack ‘n play, sheets, white noise and anything they associate with sleep with you. Re-create the environment at home as much as possible or put them in the stroller in their pj’s after your bedtime routine and cover the stroller to keep it dark.
PRO TIP: If you know they will be sleeping in the playpen/pack ‘n play, set that up in their bedroom and practice sleep leading up to the holidays in there as much as possible.
Offer naps at the right times even on-the-go. Wake windows should continue to guide your day, sleepy cues are not reliable especially with the excitement of lights, people and distractions. If you can’t prevent a late night then plan a good day. Make sure your baby gets in a good nap that day or a throw in a late afternoon catnap to accommodate a later bedtime. Troubleshoot your day to best prepare them so at least they’re going into the night well rested. If naps have been missed or shorter than usual due to the holiday activities, an early bedtime can be a great solution. Bringing bedtime forward, even as early as 5:45/6 pm, can help little ones catch up on sleep and prevent overtiredness and early mornings.
Communicate expectations and hold boundaries with family and friends. Once you’ve thought through a plan for the evening, communicate that to your guests confidently or ask the host if they can make some accommodations. Many people do not have babies, have their own parenting styles or have passed that phase and forgotten how having a tired baby can impact the entire family.
Let guests or hosts know how and when your baby will sleep and that no, they won’t be up until late at night being passed around like a selfie prop. You have to be confident about your parenting decisions, because the one that has to lose sleep over them is ultimately you. Your baby is human, they are more sensitive to losing sleep and we them to feel their best too.

While the holiday season may not offer perfect sleep, it's important not to let that steal the joy of the holidays. Remember to slow down, cherish the precious moments, and maintain a positive vibe around sleep and settling for your little one. Stick to your usual routine as best as you can, and if deviations occur, there will be plenty of time to get back on track when you return home. Enjoy this special time with your family and seek support if needed to help you navigate any sleep challenges that arise.