Sleeping Habits and Working with Children

Part of the fun of family travel is breaking the mold. But breaking the routine can affect your child's sleep schedule.

Even if you can't always maintain your child's usual sleep routine, there are steps you can take to make your child more likely to fall asleep while you're traveling.

Starting trips at nap time can work well for babies and toddlers—but that doesn't always mean they'll stay asleep. You can increase your child's chances of falling asleep by making sure he has a clean diaper and has been fed recently.

For active preschoolers and school-aged children, starting a trip after your child has had time to play outside can help your child settle in as the trip begins. It's a good idea to have your child use the toilet before heading out. You may want to give your toddler a snack before you leave.

Also, if you're traveling all day, getting your kids to do some physical activity can help prepare them for sleep later. Even babies may enjoy stretching and kicking on a blanket. It is best if your child can complete the activity an hour or so before bedtime. Activities too close to bedtime can make it harder for your child to settle in.

We took my first road trip back to my hometown with my 4 week old baby and it was usually an eight hour trip. It took 10 hours to stop feeding. He slept all the way, so the trip wasn't too bad. – Nic, mother of a 4 week old baby

Sleeping in Strange Places: Tips

It is normal for children to feel uneasy sleeping in unfamiliar places while traveling. Here are some tips that can help:

Follow your usual bedtime routine – for example, brush your teeth, read a story, hug and say good night.

Gather your child's favorite toy or blanket.

Dress your child in the pajamas they are used to.

Keep the lights low so your kids can figure out where they are when they wake up at night.

Make sure your kids know you're nearby. Tell them where you sleep before they go to bed.

Avoid eating a large meal before bed.

If your child sleeps in a baby cot at home, check in advance whether baby cot  are available to rent at your accommodation. If not, you may need to bring your own travel cot.

Medicines to help children sleep -- including the antihistamines Vallergan and Phenergan -- should only be used under a doctor's supervision. These medicines are not recommended for children younger than 2 years because of their associated risk of sudden infant death (SUDI). They may also cause side effects such as short temper, hyperactivity, challenging behavior and daytime sleepiness in some children.

sleep habits and in different time zones

Travel If you and your child are traveling in the same time zone, you may want to follow as much of your child's eating and sleeping habits as possible.

But if you travel in different time zones, you and your children may be affected by jet lag. This is when your internal body clock for sleeping, eating, and waking up doesn't match the day and night of the time zone you've traveled to. Babies and toddlers are usually not as affected by jet lag as adults, but they can be tired and cranky and don't want to sleep at their usual naptime or bedtime.

A good tip is to plan for different time zones. Before you go, try changing your mealtimes, bedtimes, and wake-up times to the new time zone. This will help you and your child settle in more quickly when you get there. Once you arrive, go outside during the day, and taking a nap during the day can help when you or your child feel sleepy.