Screen Time for Children. Does Blue Light Affect my Child’s Sleep?

by Iva Faulknerova | Apr 4, 2022 | vitamin D, sleepy food, Blue ligth, Separation anxiety

TABLE OF CONTENT:

What Is Blue Light? Does Blue Light Affect Melatonin Production?

Where is blue light?

How Can I Limit Blue Light Exposure To Help My Baby Sleep Better?

Introducing… Red Light!

Are Ways To Counter Blue Light During Baby’s Bedtime Routine?

BLUE LIGHT AND SLEEP

Discussions around Blue Light and its effects are becoming more popular than ever, with a lot of devices now offering blue light filters to decrease our exposure. Whilst as adults, the majority of us decide to ignore this guidance, are our babies and children over-exposed and can this take some of the blame for their difficulties sleeping?

What Is Blue Light and how does Affect Melatonin Production?

Without getting too technical, all light (and colour) is made up of wavelengths and of those wavelengths, Violet and Blue are the shortest. Due to being the shortest, they interact with our Circadian Rhythm, which is our body’s internal clock and one of the largest factors that can influence either restful and restorative sleep or cause disrupted and unsatisfactory baby sleep.

The reason it causes this effect is that Blue Light suppresses the production of Melatonin, the hormone which makes us sleepy. That’s not to say that all exposure to Blue Light is bad, we require this exposure during the day to keep our bodies awake and working correctly! However, with babies and young children who require naps, it’s a fine balance.

Where Is Blue Light?

Blue light is naturally found in sunlight, which, along with Vitamin D (more about this in our blog here), helps promote sleep quality when exposure occurs at the right time of day. However, we are also exposed to artificial blue light from devices with screens and some LED light bulbs, which, on the other hand, can sabotage sleep.

Some items such as night lights and the popular gro clock produce blue light! We recommend parents always check for whether an item uses blue light when you are buying baby nursery decorations or nursery accessories- or anywhere baby sleeps.

How Can I Limit Blue Light Exposure To Help My Baby Sleep Better?

It’s no secret that experts recommend limiting screen time for children, but in daily life, this can be challenging. Sometimes, despite our best efforts, we need a quick distraction for the kids so we can get things done!

It’s tempting to rely on screens in the evening when we’re tired and still have tasks left, but keeping little ones screen-free for at least two hours before bed is ideal to avoid interference with melatonin production and to support restful sleep.

How Much Screen Time is Healthy for Kids?

As screen use increases, managing screen time and limiting blue light exposure becomes crucial for kids’ health and development. Here’s a helpful breakdown of age-appropriate screen time to balance the benefits of digital content while reducing the potential effects of blue light on sleep and development:

Under 18 Months: Avoid screens except for video calls. Face-to-face interaction is best for brain growth and development.

18-24 Months: Limited, high-quality content is fine when a parent is present to guide and explain, helping children understand while minimizing blue light exposure.

Ages 2-5: Limit screen time to 1 hour per day of educational or age-appropriate programming, which keeps blue light exposure low while offering enriching content.

Ages 6+: 1-2 hours per day of recreational screen time is recommended, balanced with physical play, good sleep, and other non-screen activities, to avoid excessive blue light exposure.

Key Tip: Prioritise quality content and balance screen time with active play, rest, and learning. Limiting blue light exposure, especially close to bedtime, supports healthier sleep patterns and overall well-being.

Introducing… Red Light!

On the opposite end of the spectrum to its cousin Blue Light, Red light is the longest wavelength and has been proven to improve the production of Melatonin in the body and have no effect on the circadian rhythm.
You can buy red nights lights, a salt lamp, a red lampshade to swap over in the evenings or even multi-coloured light bulbs that can be controlled from an app on your phone! If buying any of these is an option for you then we would recommend giving it a try.

Are Ways To Counter Blue Light During Baby’s Bedtime Routine?

In addition to avoiding screen time for 2 hours before bed, our recommendation is to incorporate a peaceful bedtime routine. An example might be:

Having your evening meal in a room without TV (or turn the TV off)

Follow this up with some round the table games or conversation. Depending on how old your child is, this is also a great way to incorporate some family bonding! If you have a baby who can sit in the highchair you could use this time to exaggerate eating practices and try to get your baby to copy as a fun, developmental practise.

“Choosing The Right Foods In The Evening Can Also Help Baby To Sleep Through The Night. You Can Read About The Foods That Promote Sleep Here.”

Once the meal has settled and there has been some interaction, a great next step is bath-time. If you have the time, it’s always great to involve some play in the water. Don’t worry too much about getting baby excited at this point.

Once the baby/child is out and wrapped in a fluffy towel, it’s time to start using a quieter tone and making the drying and moisturising process calming. If you have learnt any baby massage techniques now would be a great time to use those and if you have red light available this would be a good point to use this.

Time for a bedtime story and cuddles before you put to bed routine, this might involve some bedtime milk.

So The Answer Is Yes, According To Scientific Research, Blue Light Can Affect Your Baby’s Sleep But By Applying Some Of Our Baby Sleep Expert Advice You Can Manage Your Sleepy Angel’s Exposure To Help Them Get Restful Sleep.

Clocks Go Back, What Now? How Do You Adjust Baby’s Routine?

by Iva Faulknerova | Apr 1, 2022 | clock change

TABLE OF CONTENT:

When Do clocks Go Back?

Ways You Might Want To Adapt Your Routine When Clocks Go Back

What About Feeding Times When The Clocks Go Back?

CLOCKS GO BACK, WHAT TO DO?

Every time the clocks go forwards or backwards, parents across the world whose baby has finally settled into a nice sleep schedule or sleep routine go into a panic. As parents, we begrudge the hour earlier wake up call but how do we get them to go to sleep an hour earlier too? It’s also a great time to adjust bedtimes and naptimes if needed or wanted, it all seems to be subject to change due to Day Light Saving Time – what can we expect?

“Spring Forward, Fall Back”

We are taught this saying to remember which way the clocks are going but, is it just us or can we also spring back and fall forwards meaning we still have to rack our baby-tired brains for the answer?

In October, the clocks go back an hour and as our Baby Sleep Coach inbox begins to fill with worried parents, we wanted to share some quick tips for ways you might want to adapt your routine.

Ways You Might Want To Adapt Your Routine:

1) Start Putting Your Baby To Bed Slightly Later

To help with the transition of an hour, start putting your child to bed slightly later from Thursday. We recommend just 15 minutes later on Thursday and then to keep increasing by 15 minutes nightly until Sunday when you can put them to bed at the normal time. This can help by allowing your child minor adaptions and hopefully, the small changes will mean the wake-up time isn’t disturbed. Make sure to stick to their usual bedtime routine at the later time.

2) If Your Baby Wakes Up An Hour early Once The Times Have Changed, Gently Adjust Nap time

We all know the joy of trying to get baby to stay awake around nap time, but if your baby does wake up early in the morning try to adjust their naps by 20 minutes later so that they falling into the ‘new time’ schedule throughout the day. This should only take a day or two to allow them to adjust. If your baby tries to “catch up” by napping longer or earlier, avoid letting them. This could prolong the adjustment process to the new time! Keep naps short and on schedule.

3) Go Outside!

The natural light/dark times affects our circadian rhythm which is a large factor in your body’s sleep preparation. Unsurprisingly, the ‘daylight savings time’ was created to capture the main hours of light! We have spoken about the positive effects of Vitamin D previously but it is definitely worth getting outside to let your baby soak up some natural light on the day the clocks go back.

4) KEEP THEM ENGAGED!

After the October clock change, getting little ones to stay up later can be tricky. Keep them engaged with fun activities, like an afternoon at the park or playful games. This will help them stay stimulated and make it easier to reach bedtime!

5) Be A Rolemodel!

In addition to ‘practising what you preach’, make sure you look after your own schedule too. Remember, not only are they potentially going to get up at the same time as before (this will adjust in time), but you are losing an hour of your own bedtime too!

6) Don’t Adjust Anything.

A lot of parents just carry on with their normal routines when the clocks change, whilst mentally preparing to potentially struggle to stick to bedtimes. Just as our bodies naturally adapt, so do our little ones. This is the method we at Sleepy Angels will be using, but it’s all personal preference. With my own children, I sometimes haven’t even realised the clock has changed!

What About Feeding Times When The Clocks Go Back?

A lot of parents, particularly with babies that haven’t been weaned yet, find that the main adaption when the clocks go back is feeding times. Unless medically advised due to weight issues or premature babies, our Baby Sleep Coach advises against trying to stick to the 4-hour feeding schedule (which you can read more about here) and trying to be responsive to the baby’s hunger and this is encouraged even more so with Daylight Savings Time adjustments.

Our advice is to ‘be ready’ to feed the baby at the normal time but don’t be disappointed if they want to wait slightly, or feed earlier, it is best to feed when the baby starts to show signs of hunger.

The same applies with a weaned baby, try using sleepy foods! By giving foods that increase the production of Melatonin (the sleepy hormone!) can also encourage them to sleep better. Check out this blog on foods that will help baby sleep better. Otherwise, try to feed them at the correct time and be understanding and patient if they aren’t as readily hungry for a couple of days, you can always give a snack if they eat less at the mealtime’.

We really hope this advice has helped to ease any anxieties you might be experiencing around the upcoming Daylight Savings Time when the clocks go back. It is so understandable that parents worry all their hard work around baby’s sleep will be ruined by this shift in time but we can reassure you that it won’t be, any adjustments will be minor and completely temporary!

If you have any further questions, or maybe you’re experiencing some other parenting anxieties you’d like to see a blog about please reach out to me in the comments below

References:

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23910656/ – Entrainment of the human circadian clock to the natural light-dark cycle, The National Library of Medicine
https://www.sleepfoundation.org/circadian-rhythm/daylight-saving-time – Daylight Saving Time, The Sleep Foundation

Have you downloaded your freebie yet? Top 10 Baby Sleep Coach Tips To Help Your Baby Sleep Better Guide! If not, then make sure to click here.

Safer Sleep For Babies, Advice And Guidance.

by Iva Faulknerova | Apr 1, 2022 | newborn, breastfeeding, dummy

TABLE OF CONTENT:

SLEEP LOCATION AND SLEEP POSITION FOR SAFER SLEEP FOR BABIES

COT SET UP, SLEEP NESTS AND SLEEPY HEADS

PARENT AND BABY CO-SLEEPING

How Can I Make Sure My Child-Care Provider Follows My Safe Sleep Guidelines?

Safer Sleep For babies

It’s important to spend some time considering how to implement safer sleep for babies. The decisions we make about where and how we place our babies to sleep can impact their health and safety. Some common practices of the past are no longer considered to be the safest way to support your baby to sleep. The advice listed here is from the evidence-informed information provided by the Lullaby Trust: a leading UK Charity who aim to reduce the number of SIDS (Sudden infant death syndrome) deaths by providing safer sleep advice.

Sleep Location For 0 – 6 Month-Old Babies

The safest place for your baby to sleep is in the same room with you for the first six months.
Place your baby to sleep in a separate cot or Moses basket in the same room as you for the first 6 months, even during the day.
Some parents choose to co-sleep with their baby. See the advice listed below specifically for safer co-sleeping.
Never sleep on a sofa or in an armchair with your baby. Sleeping on a sofa or in an armchair with your baby is one of the most high-risk situations for them.
The chance of SIDS is lower when babies sleep in a separate cot in the same room as their parents

Sleep Position for SAFER SLEEP FOR Babies

You should always place your baby on their back to sleep and not on their front or side.
Sleeping your baby on their back (known as the supine position) every night is one of the most protective actions you can take to ensure your baby is sleeping as safely as possible.
There is substantial evidence from around the world to show that sleeping your baby on their back at the beginning of every sleep or nap (day and night) significantly reduces the risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS).
You should always place your baby on their back to sleep and not on their front or side (unless your doctor has advised you of a medical reason to do so)
Sleeping a baby on their front or side greatly increases the chance of SIDS
It is important that you always put your baby on their back as part of their regular sleep routine – the chance of SIDS is particularly high for babies who are sometimes placed on their front or side
Once your baby can move themselves from their back to their front and back again by themselves, they will be able to find their own sleeping position.
The first few times they roll onto their tummy, you might like to gently turn them back, but do not feel you have to get up all night to check. Give them some time to play on their tummy while they are awake to help their development, but make sure you supervise them while they are on their front.

How to Set Up Baby Cot safely / Moses Basket Contents

Remove soft toys from your baby’s sleep area before each sleep period. Babies should be slept in a clear sleep space, which is easy to create in a cot or Moses basket.

Sleep Pods Or Sleep Nests Are NOT Safe For Baby to Sleep In

There are some items that I would not recommend:

• pods or nests
• pillows, duvets or thick heavy bedding
• cot bumpers
• hammocks
• sleep positioners

Parent And Baby Co-Sleeping

Sharing your bed with your baby is called co-sleeping.

For safer co-sleeping:

Keep pillows, sheets, blankets away from your baby or any other items that could obstruct your baby’s breathing or cause them to overheat. A high proportion of infants who die as a result of SIDS are found with their head covered by loose bedding.
Follow the other safer sleep for babies advice to reduce the risk of SIDS such as sleeping baby on their back.
Avoid letting pets or other children in the bed.
Make sure baby won’t fall out of bed or get trapped between the mattress and the wall.

It is important for you to know that there are some circumstances in which co-sleeping with your baby can be very dangerous:

Either you or your partner smokes (even if you do not smoke in the bedroom).
Either you or your partner has drunk alcohol or taken drugs (including medications that may make you drowsy).
You are extremely tired.
Your baby was born premature (37 weeks or less).
Your baby was born at a low weight (2.5kg or 5½ lbs or less).
Never sleep on a sofa or armchair with your baby, this can increase the risk of SIDS by 50 times.

You should never sleep together with your baby if any of the above points apply to you or your partner.

How Can I Make Sure My Child-Care Provider Follows My Safe Sleep Guidelines?

All Child-care providers whether they are independent child-minders, a nursery setting or a relative should be following safer sleep guidelines for safer sleep for babies. It is definitely a conversation you should have with them when considering your child’s placement with them. Look for pro-active nurseries such as Highbury Community Nursery, who are actively engaging conversations around best sleep practices with their parents by seeking out professional advice to follow and dispense. If you are a child-care provider and would like to discuss getting an informational newsletter to send out to your parents from a professional Baby Sleep Coach, then please get in touch as I’d be happy to help!

References:

https://www.lullabytrust.org.uk/safer-sleep-advice/

Have you downloaded your freebie yet? Top 10 Baby Sleep Coach Tips To Help Your Baby Sleep Better Guide! If not, then make sure to click here.

How To Get Baby Sleep When Travelling?

by Iva Faulknerova | Apr 1, 2022 | travel

TABLE OF CONTENT:

HOW TO HELP BABY SLEEP WHEN TRAVELLING - WILL TRAVEL RUIN BABYS SLEEP ROUTINE?

TOP TIPS ON HOW TO HELP BABY SLEEP WHEN TRAVELLING

WHERE DOES BABY NAP WHEN ON HOLIDAY?

DO YOU KEEP TO BABY’S BED-TIME ROUTINE WHEN AWAY FROM HOME?

WHAT SHOULD BABY WEAT TO BED ON HOLLIDAY

HOW TO GET BABY SLEEP WHEN TRAVELLING

As travel begins to slowly reappear you might suddenly be faced with stress around how to travel with your baby and how to get your baby sleep when travelling and of course where your baby can sleep when travelling.
Fear not, combining years of baby and child experience your Baby Sleep Coach has come up with the answers to new parents five most asked questions about baby sleep whilst on holiday:

Will Travel Ruin Baby’s Sleep Routine?

This is likely the most asked question relating to travel and holidays that I get asked. The answer is no, a week or two of a slightly altered routine won’t put your efforts to waste and, if they do throw your baby off their usual sleep schedule, it shouldn’t be too hard to get them back on track. When you return from your holiday ensure you begin your ‘pre-holiday’ sleep routine the first night back, this helps to show that when you are at home it’s business as usual. The best way to help baby sleep when travelling is to create a ‘home from home’ environment wherever you are staying.

Top Tips ON HOW TO GET BABY SLEEP WHEN TRAVELLING :

Using your own travel cot where possible and practicing beforehand is ideal; if you can’t bring your own (such as when flying), check the hotel’s travel cot size and bring your own sheets for familiarity, which can enhance baby sleep when traveling, especially if they smell like home. If the hotel’s cot mattress differs in size from yours, it’s worthwhile to buy sheets that fit to ensure your baby enjoys this home comfort.
Don’t forget the favourite features of their bedtime routine! Whether your baby has a favourite soft toy, baby comforter, bedtime story, their top baby bath toy, a white noise machine or even a favourite pair of pyjama’s make sure to pack it! If you wear their pyjama under your top for few days, your baby will find your scent very calming, relaxing and soothing.

Travel black-out blinds – these can be a lifesaver when staying somewhere other than home. If your baby is accustomed to a dark room then you will want to purchase one of these before staying away.

An Air BnB is a great way to create that ‘home from home’ environment as they tend to have more home comforts and features than a hotel room.

Where Does Baby Nap When On Holiday?

Every baby is different, especially when it comes to their sleeping habits. By now you will know if your baby is likely to sleep on the move or whether they absolutely need their beds. If you want to be out and about during your travels then practise with on-the-move naps prior to your trip.

Our Suggestions For On The Move Napping For Active Parents Include:

Pram or Buggy – if you’re going somewhere warm ensure you have a form of shade available either from a parasol or an extended pram hood. Avoid hanging a muslin or blanket over the front of the pram in order to create shade, it can get very hot very quickly under there.

A baby carrier – There are baby carriers available for a wider range of baby sizes on the current market. If you’re going to try a baby carrier for the first time, ensure you do a trial run to check the settings are comfortable – you definitely don’t want to injure your back halfway through a hike and still have a baby to carry around!

In a car seat whilst travelling – the gentle vibrations of a moving car are often ideal sleep promoters for babies and if you are transporting yourselves by car it might be a good idea to do so at nap time so they don’t get restless. Please remember to never leave your baby in a hot car as the temperature can rise very quickly once the air conditioning is turned off. Make sure to take frequent breaks and get your baby out of the car seat, if you doing long journeys

In the hotel/room – don’t be afraid to sacrifice some of your usual exploration time for a nap in the hotel room. Some babies will only sleep in a cot but if you are travelling in a warm environment the break from the heat might do you both good.

How Can I my Help Baby Sleep When Travelling in the Travel Cot?

Travel cots aren’t the most luxurious of items, you can buy additional mattresses for most but if you are travelling abroad taking a mattress, even a fold-up one, is likely not an option. In the absence of an extra mattress – and don’t be afraid to ask the hotel for one – we recommended padding the bottom of the cot with a couple of flat bath towels and putting the sheet over the top. This should help baby to sleep better, don’t be tempted to use soft duvets or thick blankets as baby’s sleep surface should be flat and firm – but the towel should just ensure the base of the bottom of the cot isn’t poking into babies back.

If your little one is a toddler then consider whether a mattress on the floor would be more comfortable for them as the travel cots can be quite flimsy and a determined toddler could knock one over. If your toddler isn’t used to sleeping without the sides of a cot then ensure you line the floor next to them with a duvet or towels as hotel floors tend to be much firmer than bedroom carpets!

Do You Keep To Baby’s Bed-Time Routine When Away From Home?

Where possible, try to keep the night-time routine similar such as bath, book and bed. If you do need to adjust bedtimes to make the most of your time away then don’t panic too much – it shouldn’t harm your usual routine when you return! Just make sure that on your return home you go straight back to the usual bedtime or baby sleep schedule. This will help differentiate between ‘holiday bedtime’ and ‘home bedtime’. I have fond memories of the excitement of staying up past bedtime when on holiday as a child.

It is also common to find that holiday excitement, activities and sunshine tire your children out quicker. After all, Vitamin D can help your baby sleep so as you’re more likely to be outside, they are more likely to tire out – we’ll let you decide whether that is a help or hindrance to your time away!
You know your child and how they will cope best however, we would recommend if you are staying up later to try and be near to your hotel. That way should the signs of over-tiredness begin to creep up you can quickly get them to bed, don’t forget that they can start the night sleeping in the pram whilst you’re out and when you get them back to your room you can just transfer them in their bed. There’s nothing wrong with letting baby snooze in the buggy whilst the adults enjoy a nice meal on their holiday.

What Should My Baby Wear To Bed On Holiday?

Ensuring the baby sleep when travelling can be stress-free by packing versatile, breathable layers suitable for varying weather conditions and always prioritising comfort and safety.

To practise baby safe sleeping guidelines, I always recommend that once they are big enough (check your sleeping bag manufacturer but most are from 8lbs) they sleep in a baby sleeping bag or baby gro bag. You can get lower tog sleeping bags up to even 0.5 tog, which is very thin. Alternatively, you can let baby just sleep in a vest or nappy if they will, my baby would never go to sleep without some covering so we would get the lowest tog possible and keep baby in nappy underneath if it was still warm.

If you’re worried about it being warm, taking a room thermometer is a good idea. You can take small ones that are just a piece of card that will give you a good enough estimate to make a decision. You can use a fan in the baby’s room but make sure it’s not pointed at them and, as usual, keep them away from heat sources and direct sunlight. The Lullaby Trust has a some great advice on keeping baby safe during the summer.

Let us know if this has helped you or if you have any further questions about getting your baby to sleep when travelling, in the comments section below.

Have you downloaded your freebie yet? Top 10 Baby Sleep Coach Tips To Help Your Baby Sleep Better Guide! If not, then make sure to click here.

Top 10 Tips For Travelling With Kids

by Iva Faulknerova | Mar 30, 2022 | travel

TABLE OF CONTENT:

TRAVEL GAMES

HOW DO YOU FLY WITH A BABY (OR YOUNG CHILD)?

HOW SHOULD I PLAN MEALTIMES WHEN TRAVELLING WITH KIDS?

HOW CAN WE ENJOY THE SUN WITH OUR BABY OR TODDLER?

CHOOSING THE HOTEL AND ACTIVITIES. WHERE SHOULD YOU STAY?

WHO SHOULD I BRING WITH ME ON HOLIDAY?

TOP 10 TIPS FOR TRAVELLING WITH KIDS

We had a great response to our first blog on How To Get Your Baby To Sleep Whilst Travelling, along with many other questions! We all know the secret to a great family-friendly holiday is to keep your kids happy and busy, so to keep baby entertained whilst travelling whether in a car, on a plane or on a day trip be sure to read our top 10 tips for parents:

1. What Are Good Games To Play When Travelling with Kids?

If your child can talk, every parent fears the dreaded words ‘Are we there yet?’ and with good reason, as it usually comes before we have even left our home town. Try beginning the journey with some game instructions rather than desperately scrambling once you’re already in transit. You might suggest they look for a yellow car (more popular now than when we used to play as children!) or older children might keep a tally chart with points for each colour, which I used to play with my children when we travelled to Europe in the summer.

You could create a scavenger hunt game in advance for spotting landmarks or silly items/features throughout the journey. If you have multiple children then you could also add a touch of competitiveness such as ‘first to see the sea…’ wins a simple choice prize which might be picking their room first when you arrive or selecting where you eat out for tea.

Other suggestions include:

I spy with my little eye
Spelling games – Say a word based on a theme that starts with the last word’s last letter. E.g, Sandwich, Ham, Mango, Orange etc.
Memory games – Such as ‘My Gran went on holiday and in her suitcase, she packed…’ and then you list all the items that came before yours. Name that Tune – Hum or tap a song and the rest of the group tries to guess what it is. If you think your children would struggle with songs you could use the theme ‘Disney movies’
Heads Up – Take a pack of post-it notes and write characters or famous people on them. The player sticks it on their forehead and asks yes or no questions to guess who it is – we suggest limiting it to 15 questions! There is also an app that does this using your phone.
Audio Stories are great for helping excited toddlers calm down and maybe even have a quick snooze for the remaining journey.

Whilst we have spoken before about how blue light can affect our little ones, it’s all about balance – so don’t be ashamed to pull out the tablet or phone to let your little ones enjoy some screen-time.

2. What Is The Best Way To Stick To A Sleep Routine When Travelling with Kids?

You probably have a pretty good idea of whether your little one is likely to fall asleep whilst travelling by now. If they do fall asleep whilst travelling then try to plan journeys at naptime or night-time wherever possible. Don’t forget a blanket to stay cosy but be sure to follow safe sleep guidelines and only use a blanket on the baby that isn’t going to end up covering their face! If the baby is the only child travelling in a car and there are two adults, we recommend an adult sitting in the back to keep an eye on the baby’s wants and needs.

If your baby or child doesn’t nap during journeys, firstly we send our sympathies! Try to arrange journey times for when they have just woken up and try to avoid night-time travelling where at all possible. The last thing you want on your first day of the holiday is a child who has been awake all night on a plane!

Try not to worry about nap times too much if it is making your journey more difficult though. Your little one will sleep eventually and it might be useful to have a lazy first day to catch up on sleep and come to grips with where you’re staying.

We have a full blog on how to help baby sleep whilst travelling right here!

3. HOW DO YOU FLY WITH A BABY (OR YOUNG CHILD)?

There are countless online articles about travelling with kids, but I think a lot of them just add unnecessary stress to the run-up to your holiday. Follow the above guidelines in terms of keeping them entertained, don’t feel ashamed to use screen-time or audiobooks to try and keep them distracted. Some plane companies offer cots for babies so don’t forget to look into what’s available and ask in advance.

When the plane sets off, give your baby either a milk feed or a dummy (if they use one – have questions about using a dummy? Check out this blog) as the sucking motion helps to soothe the ear pressure and popping. If your child is older either give them a drink or a sweet to suck on (if they can be trusted not to swallow it whole!).

Often ‘under 3’s go free’ on a plane, but consider whether your journey would be easier and more enjoyable for everyone if you paid for their own seat. At 2, my children would not have been happy to sit on my lap for over an hour and I can’t say I would have enjoyed the experience myself either.

Don’t feel embarrassed about the way your children behave on a plane, especially if it is your first time travelling with kids as a family. Take them up and down the aisle if it’s a long flight to stretch their legs, you’ll probably brighten a few peoples journey if your little one is chatty and wants to make lots of new friends! As long as you are trying to control the situation through distraction and calming methods then you have nothing to be ashamed of, it is very common for children to be upset or more frustrated whilst travelling – us adults are too.

4. What Should You Pack In Your Carry On Luggage For Your Child?

If you’re packing a carry on bag for a child, it’s important to get the essentials in first:

Take plenty of snacks and make sure they aren’t going to be super messy and end up needing to change their clothes during a flight
Drinks – whether they are on milk (which you can take on with you, if it’s pre-made they might make you sample some) or water make sure you have plenty!
Medication – A lot of the main medication companies, such as Calpol, offer travel size sachets. If your child takes unwell during the flight you’ll be grateful you had some with you. It can also help a younger child feel a placebo effect if their ears have popped due to pressure.
Spare Clothes
Sleeping Bag or Blanket (for older children) if you’re wanting them to sleep during the flight
Changing bag
Lots of baby wipes
If they weaning then be sure to pack their favourite foods.
Entertainment – favourite books, toys, drawing etc.

For long-haul flights, try travelling with kids at night time so that the whole family can try to have a sleep and help adjust their body clocks – remember this for the journey home as well!

5. HOW SHOULD I PLAN MEALTIMES WHEN TRAVELLING WITH KIDS?

As adults, we usually indulge on holiday so don’t feel too bad if your little one does as well. Just ensure you don’t introduce new allergens whilst travelling with kids, as you don’t want them needing medical attention if you’re in a different country. Foods such as seafood, which are more popular by the sea, are a common allergen that a lot of children may not have tried before – just because your child is fine with fish does not mean they can eat prawns or other seafood without a reaction.

Other suggestions include taking flasks to use on the move, especially if you’re using formula powder. Look up and trial ways using a flask before you go – you can always ask a cafe for a flask of boiling water whilst you have a coffee! Alternatively, you can buy pre-made formula, these are more expensive than a tub of formula but for the ease of not carrying a large flask, it could be worth it. Be sure to bring enough formula for the whole of your holiday as if you are in another country it could be difficult to source your brand – and some babies won’t drink other brands!

If you’re eating out, a lot of restaurants will blend foods for a baby or, if the kids’ menu doesn’t appeal, try to request one of the adult meals on a smaller scale. You would be surprised how accommodating they will be.

With non-weaned babies, you might consider trying to eat around their nap-time so they can sleep in the pram, or past their bedtime, if you’re out for the evening, whereas with toddlers or older children try to stick to the usual food times when possible.

6. How Can We Enjoy The Sun With Our Baby Or Toddler?

Your young child or baby needs regular applications of sunblock whenever they are in the sunshine in any country (even in the UK!). Ensure you try the sunblock before you go away to check for allergies or irritations and apply it every couple of hours.

A lot of young babies and children refuse to wear sunhats, mine will whip it off automatically within a few moments so due to this we required a parasol for the pram when we went away as the hood just didn’t cut it! This is another item to try before you depart as you need to be prepared.

Don’t forget that your baby will eat sand if on the beach! Our tip is to take a travel cot to the beach if you’re wanting to have a little quiet, beach time. That way they can be safely contained, shaded by parasols or similar and play without the fear of sand or beach rubbish being picked up.

If you have a small paddling pool with a cover, this can be handy for a little one – just because you are by the sea doesn’t mean you have to be in it! Throw in some toys, buckets and spades along with some sand and you’ve got a great messy play area.

If you are close to the hotel, going back for a nap in a cooler room would probably help your baby to sleep. However, it’s perfectly fine for them to nap in the buggy or the travel cot (if you took it to the beach) just make sure it is well shaded, and keep checking the sun hasn’t moved onto them, don’t cover with towels or muslins as this can create a dangerously high level of heat. Check out the summer guidance from the Lullaby Trust.

7. Choosing The Hotel And Activities. Where Should You Stay?

Before your child was born you might have selected the hotel based on the price and its proximity to the local nightlife, but now is the time to accept that holiday prices rise with children even if where you’re staying is not as luxurious. If you don’t have school-age children then definitely select term-time dates to keep those prices lower! It also means that the majority of children at your resort will be of a similar age and you can worry less about ‘big kids’ interrupting activities or play

Whilst you may cringe at the concept of ‘kids’ entertainment’ at your hotel, you will likely find this a life-saver if your children are old enough to engage. If you plan to leave your little one in kids clubs for any period of time, we recommend checking the hotel’s reviews and credentials – and always ensure the staff know you are leaving! We recommend staying by the pool if they are joining in those activities or, even better, joining in yourself as it’s a great bonding exercise.

When it comes to beds, a mattress on the floor is safer than a bed for toddlers and babies – even if the toddler has had the walls of their crib removed! Chances are this bed is a lot higher and in warm countries, the floors are often firm tiles as opposed to carpeting. If your little one is small enough still, don’t forget to request a travel cot, even if you can’t see the option when booking this doesn’t mean they aren’t available.

8. Other Things To Consider When Booking Your Room when You Traveling with Kids Are:

Fridge for food/snacks/drinks/milk
Air conditioning
Pram Accessible (or at least a lift so you don’t have to carry the pram up flights of stairs).
Stairgate (if it is a multi-level apartment)
Safety doors/latches if there is a balcony or similar.
If Camping, being in the tent might be a bit tricky with babies but lots of fun for toddlers and older children who will find it exciting.

children sitting in the sun chairs while you travelling with kids

9. Who Should I Bring With Me On Holiday?

The idea of child-care whilst away, from a trusted friend or relative, is highly appealing. The chances are that the grandparents would be chomping at the bit to join you but take into consideration what this means and set boundaries and guidelines beforehand. It’s worth setting out if you want some ‘just you’ time with your family when away, whether you’d prefer them to be staying in a room on the opposite side of the hotel and if you’re expecting all meal-times to be together. To you, they might be coming along as babysitters for the evening so you and your partner can enjoy some time together alone, but if they are seeing it as a non-stop family-fun festival they are participating in, toes can easily be trodden on.

You may also want to consider that if one set of grandparents comes away, the others might try to book a holiday with you as well which may or may not be a good thing. If you have a nanny, consider bringing them with you or if you don’t want to bring a relative but still need the help, there are travel nannies available for short-term contracts.

10. Should I Stick To My Night-Time Routine when Travelling with Kids?

Where possible, try to keep the night-time routine similar such as bath, book and bed. If you do need to adjust bedtimes to make the most of your time away then don’t panic too much – it shouldn’t harm your usual routine when you return! Just make sure that on your return home you go straight back to the usual bedtime. This will help differentiate between ‘holiday bedtime’ and ‘home bedtime’. I have fond memories of the excitement of staying up past bedtime when on holiday as an older child! It is common to find that holiday excitement, activities and sunshine tire your children out quicker.

You know your child and how they will cope best however, we would recommend if you are staying up later to try and be near to your hotel room. That way should the signs of over-tiredness begin to creep up you can quickly get them to bed.

As mentioned before they can start the night sleep in the pram and when you get them home just transfer them in their bed

If you have a toddler, consider whether they would be best placed sleeping on the mattress on the floor, especially as some hotel rooms abroad can be on harder surfaces than your nursery carpet. Hotels tend to provide travel cots but they can be quite uncomfortable so consider putting flattened towels underneath the mattress to soften it slightly – just remember that baby needs a flat surface. If you have a white noise machine at home, don’t forget to bring it with you.

Enjoy Yourself!

You probably need this holiday more than the little ones do! Travelling with kids can be a wonderful experience, but it can also be exhausting. Take the time to enjoy yourselves as a family, and make sure you’re in the photos as well (does anyone else seem to find that they have a few photos of them and baby?) If you’re feeling particularly stressed, maybe consider going for a short break with a friend or partner whilst a relative looks after baby for one or two nights. Parents can’t run on empty and self-care is very important.

So there we have our top ten FAQ’s answered! If you have any suggestions of your own please suggest them in the comments, don’t forget to check out our blog on how to help your baby sleep whilst travelling.

Have you downloaded your freebie yet? Top 10 Baby Sleep Coach Tips To Help Your Baby Sleep Better Guide! If not, then make sure to click here.

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