Christmas is a time for joy, family gatherings, and plenty of fun, but for parents with young
children, it can also be tricky to manage sleep routines during all of the excitement.
Maintaining your little one’s nap routine can be challenging when there’s lots going on,
however, with some careful planning and flexibility, you can help your child stay well-rested.

Here’s how you can handle your little one's naps over Christmas.

Stick to a Basic Routine
During the Christmas period, schedules often get turned upside down, but children thrive on consistency, especially when it comes to sleep. While you may not be able to follow your child’s nap routine perfectly, aim to keep some basic structure in place. For example, if your child usually naps after lunch or in the early afternoon, try a slightly earlier or later nap time to fit around plans. A little flexibility is key. If you know you’ll be out visiting family, attending a Christmas market, or seeing the Christmas lights in town, keep the general routine in mind but allow for adjustments to fit in with plans.

Prepare for Cold Weather Naps
Winter weather can add an extra layer of complexity to nap routines if you're out and about. Ensure your little one is wrapped up warm if they’re likely to nap in the pram. Use cosy footmuffs, hats, and blankets to help them sleep comfortably while you're out.

Plan around Christmas Events
Christmas is often filled with family dinners, visits from relatives, and day trips out. These fun activities can disrupt nap times if you’re not careful. Whenever possible, try to plan events around your child’s naps. For example, aim to schedule family lunches after your child has napped, so they’re well-rested and more likely to enjoy the festivities. Likewise, if you’re visiting a Christmas trail or local lights switch-on, try to plan for either before or after their usual nap time to prevent overtiredness.

Create a Sleep-Friendly Environment in New Places
New environments can be distracting for your little one and can make it difficult for them to settle for their naps, so it’s important to try to create a sleep-friendly environment wherever you are.

Ideas for a portable sleep setup:

• Bring your child’s favourite sleep accessories, such as a blanket, pillow, or comforter, to make the new space feel more familiar.
• Consider using a portable blackout blind if your child is used to sleeping in a dark
  room.
• A white noise machine or app can help drown out unfamiliar sounds from a busy
  household or Christmas party.
• Set up a quiet, comfortable space in the guest room, or even in the corner of a
  relative’s living room, where your child can rest undisturbed.

Be Ready for Car Naps
You might be travelling more than usual, so car naps can be a lifesaver, but they’re often not as restful as a nap in a cot. To make car naps as comfortable as possible, bring along sun shades for the windows, and perhaps a soft blanket for comfort. For longer trips, try to
schedule your travel time to coincide with your little one’s usual nap time.

Manage Overstimulation
Christmas can be a lot for little ones! Bright lights, new toys, and the general excitement can easily overstimulate them, making it harder for them to settle down for naps. If you notice your child becoming overtired, try giving them some downtime to wind down before their nap. 

Tips to help them relax:

• Retreat to a quiet room away from the noise.
• Engage in a calming activity, like reading a book, listening to soft music, or snuggling in a cosy blanket.
• Dim the lights and create a peaceful atmosphere.

Don’t Stress Over Perfection
Christmas is all about enjoying time with your loved ones, and it’s natural that routines will
sometimes fall by the wayside. If your child’s nap schedule gets a bit off-track during the
festivities, don’t worry too much. A day or two of disrupted naps won’t cause long-term harm, and you can always get back to their regular routine once the excitement has calmed down.

Remember, the key is balance. While it’s important to ensure your little one gets enough rest to avoid overtiredness, you might find that they manage the changes better than expected, and the memories you make together will be worth the slight disruptions to their sleep schedule.
Here’s to peaceful naps for all!

Written by Sarah – Certified Infant Sleep Consultant and founder of @sarahssleepconsultancy