It’s the most wonderful time of the year!?… OR is it the most stressful time of the year?

For parents it can be scary trying to keep up with traditions, dinners and celebrations, while at the same time keeping a sleep schedule/routine and a rested little one that is not fussy, overtired and miserable.

But there is no need to panic, we will all make it through the holidays having made some beautiful memories and with the help of stretchy pants and the sleep tips below:

Become a planner. Some people hate planning and like to have more of a “take it as it comes” approach. That’s great! but with babies it’s kind of a job requirement or at least it helps with keeping up with the job. Planning is just a good way to prevent panic and frustrations when the unexpected comes up or to prevent it in the first place. If there is a dinner, plan what to bring and think about how you can best put your baby down to sleep in that particular environment. Is there a dark room that you can use? Will they be put to sleep in a stroller? and if so, how can you adjust it so you create a better sleep environment (darken it, bring white noise).
Plan your heart out and try to make your baby’s sleep environment as close to home as possible. The darker the better, the less noise is ideal but white noise will certainly help. If you know what you’re going into, you can plan and adjust your expectations.
Communicate. 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. Meltdown madness.
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.
Say No. Let’s face it, there are some family dinners, parties and festivities that you will not want to miss! A one off, dinner party where your baby is out past their bedtime is not going to hurt them. In fact babies that sleep well and independently can bounce back fairly easily. If you are staying consistent 80% of the time the odd exception will not make a difference. In fact, I encourage it. You don’t want to miss out on those important memories.
HOWEVER, you don’t have to go out EVERYNIGHT. You can say no to some events and choose the important ones to attend. If it means you are all going to be miserably exhausted, then give yourself permission to make the choice to stay home. People will understand. Also, one of the many perks to having a great little sleeper is that they can be put to bed by anyone! So ask for some help, your husband, family or a babysitter and have a great night out while baby snoozes in the comforts of home.
Stay as consistent as possible and keep your bedtime (when possible). We always sleep best in our own beds. It’s proven that even adults don’t fully attain deep sleep when in a foreign environment, including hotel rooms. This is because the brain is on high alert, keeping us in a light stage of sleep in case of predators or emergencies (fight or flight). Same for babies, that’s why for some babies naps on the go are almost always a disaster. Some can cope better than others…just like adults, I personally can’t sleep in a car but I know plenty of people that pass out as soon as they sit down and put on their seat belts.
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. Keeping your same bedtime even if out of the house will help them understand that it is now time to sleep, just like any other day.
*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.
Try for at least one good nap or adjust your schedule to fit in a catnap. 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.
Adjust your expectations. Bend the rules. As mentioned, things are not always going to be perfect. We control what we can and the rest we just have to let go. If you are anxious, frustrated or stressed you will 100% be passing that along to your baby. They are so in tune with you that they soak all of this energy up and guess what, now they won’t be able to sleep because it’s been passed on to them!