Hotel Sleep Tips for Moms Traveling with Babies and Toddlers
Okay, mamas, let's get real for a second... how many hotel rooms ACTUALLY have extra rooms? And if they do, how much extra are you paying for those extra rooms? Yeah, didn’t think so! So, more often than not, you’ll probably end up having your baby or toddler in your room when you’re staying at a hotel or resort, right? I feel you!
I totally get it — I do the same thing because I’d honestly be kind of freaked out not having my little one in the same room with me when we're away. So, I wanted to share some of my personal tips for surviving hotel life with a baby!
Tip #1: Let Your Baby Adjust to the Space
First things first: Let your little one get used to the space. I always unpack and set up her bed while she explores the room. Babies are sensitive to unfamiliar surroundings, and the change in the environment (weird sounds, new shadows, strange furniture) can totally mess with their sleep. It takes a little time to adjust — I don’t sleep well on night one in a new place, so I try to be extra patient with my baby.
Tip #2: Find the Best Spot for Her Bed/Crib
If you’re lucky enough to get a room with a separate living area — awesome! But, if not, don’t panic. Here’s what I do, and trust me, it works.
My top choice is finding a walk-in closet, a lobby-style area, or even a bathroom to set up her crib or bed. That way, she’s not woken up by us chatting or moving around in the main area. The goal is to give her a space where she can sleep soundly without the noise of the room.
Tip #3: Get Creative with Room Dividers
If there's no separate space available, I get real creative. One trick I use is setting up a little “tent” area so my baby has her own space, and we can still hang out in the room. When traveling (not in the car), I wrap her carseat in a sheet, and use that as a divider when we get to our hotel. It’s simple but works like a charm! With this setup, she has her own space to sleep while we can enjoy the room without waking her.
Tip #4: Baby Monitor = Freedom
Now, I’m not about to go to bed at 7 PM just because my little one is down for the night. So, I use a baby monitor! We’ll set up the monitor and hang out in the lobby or somewhere close by, but still in sight of the door. That way, we can have some adult time while keeping an ear and eye on her.
If your baby wakes up in the night, just go into their space and help them get back to sleep. Sometimes, they just need a little reassurance or a quick “reset” of the bedtime routine.
Tip #5: Time Zone Adjustments (or Not!)
Okay, real talk: Some people swear by switching their baby to the local time zone as soon as they arrive at a new destination, but personally? If we’re only going to be somewhere for 4-6 days, I just keep my baby on our home time zone. We’ve traveled with a 3-hour difference, and it works fine! She stays up a little later and sleeps in the mornings, and it’s no big deal. But if we’re staying longer, that’s when I’ll fully adjust her to the new time zone.
Tip #6: Hotels Are Different with Babies (That’s Why Airbnb’s Are Great)
The reality is, hotels can be a little tricky with babies. It’s part of why Airbnb’s are so popular with traveling families — you get the extra space and flexibility to set up things the way you need them. But wherever you stay, just remember: Your baby needs good sleep to enjoy the day ahead. One bad night of sleep can throw off the whole day, so be mindful of how much rest they need.
And before I forget, if you're flying to your destination, make sure to check out my video on flying with babies. Trust me, you don’t want to miss these tips! ✈️
Sleep Sweetly,
Anna