Managing Sleep Needs During the Holidays

December is just around the corner! This year families will be gathering for the holidays again which is so exciting. Last year, many regions had limits on gathering sizes which meant that families and friends were kept apart during the most wonderful time of the year. This year will be different! December is filled with festivities that warm our hearts and fills our lives with memories and traditions. There is also a whole lot of stress that comes with it! One burning question that you may have if you have young children, would be “how can I manage sleep needs during the holidays?”

Should You Worry About Sleep Needs During the Holidays?

I don’t want you to miss out on all the fun that December has to offer because you are trying to stick to your routines and schedules. BUT! As parents it’s our job to provide our kids with everything they need to thrive and that includes prioritizing their sleep needs. A child who does not have their sleep needs met is pretty miserable to be around. It’s really a gift to everyone that they get the sleep they need!

Here are a few things you can do to manage sleep needs during the holidays:

Prioritize Naps

Naps are such an important part of your child’s day, so I want to urge you not to skip naps while you are out and about. Instead, you can offer a nap on the go. A short nap is better than no nap at all.

Early Bedtimes

Use an early bedtime on the days that naps are short or get skipped (because there may be those days). This gives your child the opportunity to catch up on sleep. Early bedtimes are also very helpful if you had a late night the night before. Don’t be afraid of putting your littles to bed early in fear that they will wake earlier. The purpose of a temporary early bedtime is to give your child the opportunity to catch up on their sleep after a day or two of having little sleep. It will not impact their biological clock.

Maintain Bedtime Routines

A solid bedtime routine is a very important part of the evening. It plays a critical role is transitioning your child from the busyness of the day to the calmness of the night. A consistent bedtime routine signals to your child that it is almost time to go to sleep. So, during the excitement of the holidays, you won’t want to skip your bedtime routine even if you are out later than usual. You can, however, shorten it by skipping bath for the night or only reading one book instead of three. The risk of skipping the routine completely is that your child won’t have the opportunity to transition from the holiday excitement to the calmness of the night. This can result in them having a more difficult time falling asleep.

Managing Sleep Needs During the Holidays is a Balancing Act

Managing sleep needs during the holidays is all about balance! We all need to get sleep in order to enjoy the holiday season to its full extent. Our littles have higher sleep needs which have to be taken into consideration when planning the festivities. The month of December is such a fun month and a time for making family memories, traditions, and indulging. I wouldn’t want you to miss out on all the fun because you are sticking to strict schedules.

This is where the balance come in!

You can still have fun and make beautiful memories, with the understanding that your schedules and routines will require adjustments some days. Your main goal each day, should be to prevent overtiredness. No one is having fun with an overtired baby or child around!

I wish you and your families the holiday season that your heart desires!

💜 Melissa