Travel Tips | Sleep Routines Abroad Gemma & George

If you have worked hard to establish a bedtime routine and are worried about losing that when you travel, fear not. It is possible to maintain your routine despite being in a different location. Everyone has their own style and routine, but it’s safe to assume that regardless of the start time or chronological order, bedtime routines contain set features. You can adapt this routine to suit your accommodation.

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MAKE THE ROOM DARK

Close the curtains. Turn off the TV. Switch off any bright lights. Turn on side lamps. Set the mood and limit, to the best of your ability anything that can stimulate your baby. Once your little one is down for the evening, you can turn on the lights and entertainment to suit your needs.

When George was really little I would play classical music to signify the start of ‘bedtime’. We purchased the family package from Spotify and I downloaded the same playlist. John Williams, who made big Hollywood film theme songs (Harry Potter, Star wars etc). I stuck to this in Singapore and Vietnam but In America we stepped away from this as the routine was well established.

USE THE SINK FOR A BATH

***Bathing 5 month old baby George in the sink of our RV on our American road trip***

Fill the sink with water and any bath time products you desire. Use your elbow to check the temperature of the water before your baby enters the water. Place a hotel towel in the sink to prevent your baby from slipping. (You may have to use another towel to protect your baby’s back).

If the sink is too small, find a flat surface near to the sink and lay down a towel. Strip your baby and using warm water, wash them with a flannel from head to toe. When we were touring Europe we bathed George in a big plastic tub! Use what you can and go with it.

CREATE A SAFE SPACE

Place a clean towel on a flat surface. Once you have bathed your baby, lay them on the towel and pat dry. Perform baby massage and/or apply moisturiser. Never leave your baby unattended.

At times we didn’t have a table or flat surface next to the sink. Therefore we’d lay down another towel on the bed or nearest flat/safe surface. Place the nappy changing mat on top or underneath to protect the area from wild wees!

RETURN TO MAIN ROOM

Carefully carry your baby from the bathroom into the room where your baby will be spending the night. Dress your baby in their pyjamas and prepare your food in the main room. If you need to prepare a bottle, ensure your baby is in a safe place and not at risk of rolling off. Feed your baby. Once burped, put your baby down to sleep. Either in the cot, on the bed or in their pram.

QUIET PLACE

If you only have the one room within your accommodation, place your baby to sleep in their pram. Then place the pram in the bathroom. This gives them a quiet place to settle and darkness. It also provides the adults a place to talk, relax and unwind without disturbing the baby.

Use this time to prepare and pack everything your baby will need for the next day. When you are ready to sleep,take your baby out of their pram and transfer them to the cot or bed.