Do you feel handcuffed to your house? Do you struggle with the thought of getting off-track or off-schedule? The thought of doing naps on the go may give you literal hives.
As a parent and pediatric sleep consultant, I know that the “house arrest” feeling of a strict baby sleep schedule is real. While a consistent environment is best, life happens! Whether you are traveling, running errands, or visiting family, learning how to get baby to nap on the go is essential for your emotional sanity and your baby’s well-being.
With a few baby sleep tips, you can enjoy stress-free outings without dealing with a chronically overtired baby later that night.
5 Expert Tips for Baby Naps on the Go
Tip #1: Protect the First Nap of the Day
If your child still takes multiple naps, try to “guard” the first nap of the day. For most infants, the first nap is the most restorative. If you can get that one done in the crib at home, your baby will have more “sleep stamina” to handle travel naps or a nap on the go in the afternoon.
Tip #2: Recreate Your Baby’s Sleep Environment
You can’t bring the whole nursery with you, but you can bring the “cues.” To help your baby sleep while traveling, try to mimic their home environment as closely as possible.
- Portable Sound Machine: A must-have for stroller naps to drown out background noise.
- Familiar Smells: Bring a crib sheet, blanket, or sleep sack from home.
- Darkness: If you are in the car, use a blackout shade. For strollers, a breathable cover can help reduce overstimulation.
Tip #3: Follow Your Baby’s Wake Windows
Whether you are home or on the go, timing is everything. Paying close attention to your baby’s wake windows and sleep cues is the best way to ensure an infant nap on the go actually happens.
If you’re planning a long car ride or a flight, try to time the motion to begin right as their wake window is closing. By following an age-appropriate sleep rhythm, you prevent the “overtired cycle” that makes falling asleep in a stroller or car seat much better.
Tip #4: Use Motion to Your Advantage (Stroller, Carrier, or Car)
Don’t be afraid to the “assisted” nap when you’re out. Many babies thrive on motion. Car seat naps or stroller naps are often shorter than crib naps (the dreaded “cat nap”), but they are far better than no nap at all!
If you’re baby is struggling to settle, a few minutes of rhythmic motion in a carrier or stroller can help them bridge the gap into sleep.
A travel crib or a portable bassinet can be a game-changer for babies who need a safe, comfortable place or sleep outside of their crib. A familiar sleep space, even if it’s smaller or more compact than their space at home, can promote better sleep. If you’re visiting friends or staying in a hotel, bring along a lightweight, travel friendly crib.
One of our FAVORITE travel products is the SlumberPod. It fits over portable cribs and mini cribs while creating a blackout environment. You can use the code sleep.shore for 10% off a checkout!
PRO TIP: If you’re traveling by air, check with the airline to see if they provide bassinets or consider bringing your own portable crib. The familiar setting can help your child feel more at ease and comfortable.
Tip #5: Keep Expectations Flexible
Even with the best baby nap routine, naps on the go won’t always go as planned. Babies are people, not robots! If your baby refuses to sleep or only takes a 20-minute power nap, don’t stress.
If you have a flexible baby sleep routine, you can simply adjust. If the day’s naps were short, move up bedtime by 30-60 minutes to compensate. An early bedtime is your best tool to prevent a sleep regression after a busy day out.
Napping on the go doesn’t have to be stressful. By sticking to familiar routines, creating a sleep-friendly environment, and being mindful of timing, you can help ensure better sleep on the go. Using these baby sleep consultant tips will help you find the balance between a predictable baby nap schedule and the freedom to leave the house. Consistency is key during the week, but flexibility is what allows you to make memories.
Sleep Shore Sleep Consulting
Stop guessing your way through naps and nights. The problem isn’t that your child can’t sleep – it’s that your current methods and cycles are teaching them the wrong skills. You’ve tried everything to help your little on self-soothe, and you’re exhausted from the constant wake-ups and struggle. YOU deserve more! Waiting from them to “grow out of it” is costing your entire family months of crucial rest.
We don’t just give you a tip; we provide personalized, age-appropriate solutions for newborns, infants, and toddlers that teach the core, life-long skill of independent sleep. STOP losing sleep over a problem we can solve in days.
Sleep Shore offers expert 1:1 support (including in-home services in Boston, Central Michigan, and Northern Michigan). Our calendar is filling fast – we are only accepting a limited number of new clients every month. Don’t wait another week. Click here to schedule your consultation and secure your family’s rest!
See what this mama had to say about our sleep services below:
“Molly was absolutely incredible to work with and completely changed everything for us! We were deep into the 4 month sleep regression that continued into 5.5 months. Molly helped us get our baby sleeping through the night within 3 nights! She was available at all times and so quick to reply when we had questions or needed guidance. Molly has even helped us with small questions after our time was up. She truly cares and we are so grateful for everything she taught us!! Could not recommend this service anymore, it changed everything for us and we are all so much happier to be sleeping again.”
Mom of 5-Month-Old