Holiday Sleep Tips for Babies: Balancing Traditions and Protecting Your Baby’s Sleep

The holiday season is magical, but for new parents, it often calls for special holiday sleep tips for babies to help manage the unique challenges that come with family gatherings and festive routines. You want to make memories, join the celebrations, and maybe even stay up for midnight toasts.

 

But if you have a baby in the mix, balancing festivities with a consistent sleep routine can feel like a juggling act. In this blog post, we’re going to go over some holiday sleep tips for babies that will help you celebrate while still protecting their precious sleep schedule and routine.

 

Balancing Family Traditions with Baby’s Sleep Needs

 

Navigating Holiday Travel with Baby

 

Typically Sleep Patterns for Newborns, Infants, and Toddlers

 

Managing Family Expectations Around Baby’s Sleep

 

Creating Calm After the Festivities

 

Let’s jump right in!

 

 

Mom and Baby and Family Member at Dinner Table | The Peaceful Sleeper

 

Balancing Family Traditions with Baby’s Sleep Needs

 

You’ve spent what feels like forever perfecting a sleep schedule for your little one, so the idea of disrupting it can be daunting. Family gatherings and late nights don’t exactly mesh well with a baby’s internal clock. Here are a few ways you can celebrate without sacrificing those essential Z’s:

 

1. Plan Ahead for Festivities

If possible, set expectations with family members ahead of time. Let them know that you’ll be prioritizing your baby’s sleep routine. Inserting these holiday sleep tips for babies into the conversation can help everyone understand that baby’s well-being comes first.

 

2. Carve Out a Quiet Space

Family gatherings can be noisy, with constant doorbells, laughter, and music if you’re celebrating away from home, as your hosts if there’s a quiet, low-lit room where you can set up a travel crib or bassinet. Consistency matters, and creating a peaceful sleep environment is key for keeping your baby from becoming overstimulated during the holidays.

 

If you haven’t already, download my FREE Ultimate Naps Guide. It’ll give you all the knowledge you need to help your baby (or toddler) take great naps! Download for free here 💤

 

3. Bring Familiar Items

Whether it’s a favorite blanket, a lovey, or a portable white noise machine, having these on hand can help your baby feel at home, even if you’re somewhere new. Little touches of familiarity will go a long way in helping your baby stay calm and even drift off to sleep more easily.

 

 

Sleeping Baby | The Peaceful Sleeper

 

Navigating Holiday Travel with Baby

 

Traveling with a baby sometimes requires an entirely new approach to scheduling and sleep routines. For many families, holiday travel is unavoidable, so it’s worth planning a few strategies to keep everyone comfortable and (hopefully) well-rested. Here’s how:

 

1. Stick to Nap Routines Where Possible

To keep your baby well-rested and avoid overtired meltdowns, aim to stick to their typical nap times as much as possible during the holiday season. Even if you’re crossing time zones, maintaining a consistent nap schedule can help your little one adjust more smoothly and stay happy amid the festivities.

 

If you haven’t already, download my FREE newborn sleep guide. It’ll give you a good rundown on establishing good sleep for your newborn that you can print and keep with you! Download for free here 💤

 

2. Account for Time Zone Changes

For longer trips, it can be beneficial to adjust your baby’s sleep schedule gradually in the days leading up to travel. If you’re flying cross-country, shift naps or bedtime by 15-30 minutes each day.

 

3. Stay Flexible

The holidays are unpredictable, and it’s okay to bend the routine now and then. Just make sure you can resume a consistent schedule once you’re back to regular life. Remember, even the best holiday sleep tips for babies don’t require rigid adherence—especially if being flexible lets everyone have a good time.

 

Typically Sleep Patterns for Newborns, Infants, and Toddlers

 

To further protect your little one’s sleep, it helps to know what’s typical for each stage. Here’s a quick overview of average sleep needs to keep in mind when navigating the holiday season:

 

Age Number of Naps Per Day Ideal Length of Naps Awake Time Between Naps Awake Time Before Bed Average Amount of Daytime Sleep Average Amount of Nighttime Sleep Average Amount of TOTAL Sleep
0-3 months 4-7 45-60 min 60-90 min 1-2 hours 5-8 hours 9-10 hours* 16-18 hours
4 months 4 60+ min 90 min 2 hours 3.5-5 hours 10-11 hours* 15-16 hours
5 months 3 60+ min 2 hours 2.5 hours 3.5-4.5 hours 11-12 hours* 14-16 hours
7 months 2 60-90 min 2-3 hours 4 hours 3-4 hours 11-12 hours 14-15 hours
14 months 1 2 hours 5 hours 5 hours 2-3 hours 11-12 hours 13-14 hours

*broken for nighttime feedings

 

 

If your little one’s averages are significantly different from what you see here, let’s do a consultation and we’ll determine together how to make tweaks!

 

If your little one’s sleep falls a bit short on a special night, remember it’s okay! As long as you return to your routine soon after, they’ll bounce back.

 

 

Mom Holding Sleeping Baby | The Peaceful Sleeper

 

Managing Family Expectations Around Baby’s Sleep

 

The holidays often come with the added pressure of family members who may not understand why baby needs downtime. Here are some ways to set boundaries while keeping things light-hearted:

 

  • Communicate Early

Explain that baby’s routine helps them enjoy the festivities too—rested babies are happy babies! By sharing a few holiday sleep tips for babies, you can help relatives see the importance of keeping baby’s needs front and center.

 

  • Set Boundaries Gently

Sometimes, it’s about picking your battles. Let relatives know your priorities, but try to involve them in ways that won’t disrupt baby’s schedule.

 

Creating Calm After the Festivities

 

Once the holidays wind down, it’s natural for sleep schedules to need a little rebalancing. Here’s how to gently reintroduce your baby’s routine:

 

1. Gradual Adjustments

Gradually shift their bedtime bat to normal in 15-minute increments (for a more gradual approach) if it was purchased back during the holidays.

 

If you haven’t already, download my FREE Ultimate Naps Guide. It’ll give you all the knowledge you need to help your baby (or toddler) take great naps! Download for free here 💤

 

2. Reinforce Their Familiar Routine

Go back to your baby’s regular wind-down routines, such as bath time, reading, lullabies, etc.

 

3. Patience is Key

Don’t stress if it takes a few days for your baby to settle back into their routine. It’s perfectly normal, and with consistency, they’ll be back on track soon.

 

 

Mom, Dad, and Baby | The Peaceful Sleeper

 

 

Recap on Holiday Sleep Tips for Babies

 

As a new parent, enjoying the holidays while maintaining your baby’s sleep routine can be challenging, but with a little planning, you can keep both traditions and sleep on track. By prioritizing consistent nap times, creating calm sleep spaces, and gently setting boundaries with family, you’ll navigate the season smoothly. 

 

If you need support with your baby’s specific sleep needs or have any other questions about navigating sleep around the holidays, we would love to work with you. Hop on a call with one of our AMAZING Certified Pediatric Sleep Consultants!

 

Whether your little one is a newborn (0-4 Months Content Library), 4-24 months (4-24 Months Content Library), or a toddler (2-5 Years Content Library), we have the resources you need to get your family the sleep you all deserve!

Christine Lawler

Christine Lawler

MS, LMFT, Certified Pediatric Sleep Consultant

Hi! I’m so glad you’re here! I’m a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, practicing for over 13 years. I’ve set out to do ALL of the research and I created a method to optimize baby sleep that is tuned in, empowering and WORKS. There absolutely should be joy in motherhood, and I have learned that every baby CAN get better sleep!

Read more about my team here.

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