How to Have The Best Hotel Stay With Your Baby
Alright, mama, you did it! You packed for the whole family and—you ready for this?—you even remembered your own underwear. **Triumph!** 🎉 We all know that packing for a trip can feel like preparing for battle, especially when you’ve got a baby in tow. Whether you're heading to a tropical paradise (lucky you!), visiting family, or tagging along on a work trip, one thing is for sure: hotel stays with a little one are a whole different ball game.
I recently took my 8.5-month-old daughter to Florida from British Columbia (yup, 3,000 miles across the continent!), and I was a *little* nervous. I’m a sleep coach for babies and toddlers, so I know all the tricks to help little ones sleep like champs at home. But a hotel? For five nights? *Gulp.* It was a new challenge. After all, she’s used to sleeping at Grandma’s house, but a hotel room? With other people around? It was a whole new level of parenting anxiety.
But you know what? It wasn't all bad. In fact, we made it through with mostly **heavenly** results. I’ve got some tips that’ll help you avoid the hotel *hell* and get you and baby sleeping soundly. Ready? Let’s dive in.
1. Create Their Own Space (No, Not the Bathroom… Unless It’s Big)
Alright, if you’ve ever tried to put your baby to sleep in a hotel room with the entire family all jammed together, you know the struggle is real. New sounds, new smells, a random humming noise from the air conditioner that you didn’t even know existed—so much for "peaceful slumber." But fear not! The trick here is to give your little one their own space to sleep, even if that means getting a little creative.
If your hotel has a second room, jackpot. If not, get ready to channel your inner fort builder. I’m talking about hanging a sheet over the portable crib, creating a little cozy nook for them. We did this on our trip: I set up the crib between the bed and the blackout curtain and draped a sheet over it. It worked wonders. *Bonus tip*: Make sure the portable crib has mesh sides so your baby can breathe easy, even in their "fort." (Ventilation is key, people!)
2. Avoid the “Angries” (And the Overtired Meltdown)
Oh, you know what I mean. You’ve spent all day schlepping around, soaking up the sights, and you’re like, “Come on, baby, just sleep already!” But guess what? When babies are overtired, they turn into tiny, grumpy monsters. The more you try to keep them awake, the harder it is to get them down at bedtime. And I don’t know about you, but I’m not signing up for a hotel room *screaming match* at midnight.
So here's the secret: **Stick to the routine** as much as possible. Yes, even on vacation. If your baby is used to multiple naps a day, try to stick with it. Set up their crib in the hotel room (or fort, or whatever works) and use the baby monitor to enjoy some grown-up time while they snooze. Trust me, keeping them rested will keep the peace for everyone.
3. Replicate the Comforts of Home
You know how your baby sleeps better when they’ve got their favorite sleep sack, or their snuggly blanket, or that white noise machine that sounds like the ocean? Yeah, that. Bring those familiar things with you! Even if you can’t replicate the exact vibe of their nursery, having these little comforts around can make a huge difference. My daughter, for example, *lives* for her sleep sack and that trusty little white noise machine. Packing these small comforts will help reassure them that everything is just like home—even if the view out the window is a little more… *vacation-y* than usual.
4. Avoid the "Co-Sleeping Pitfall"
I know it seems tempting. You’ve paid for that hotel room, so why not let your little one crash in bed with you? But trust me on this one: **don’t do it.** Sure, baby might be happy snuggling up next to you, but you’re going to be the one regretting it when they start kicking you in the ribs at 2 a.m. and you get *no* sleep. Plus, if your baby is used to sleeping in their crib at home, letting them sleep in your bed can throw off their whole sleep routine. You might have a rough time when you get back home, trying to get them to sleep in their own bed again.
5. Keep Your Expectations Realistic (And Lower Them)
Listen, mama, I’m not going to sugarcoat it. Travel with a baby is going to *test* you. There will be moments of chaos, maybe even a meltdown or two (both yours and theirs). But if you set your expectations *just low enough*, you’ll find the whole thing a lot more enjoyable. Aim for **good sleep**, not perfect sleep. You might not have the same quality of rest you’d get at home, but you can still make it work. And hey, the memories are worth it, right?
Traveling with a baby isn’t always a vacation in the traditional sense, but it *can* be a sweet getaway. Follow these tips, embrace the chaos, and remember—you're doing an amazing job.
And when it’s nap time? **Nap HARD.** When it’s playtime? **Play HARD.**
Happy travels, mama!
For my best tips and advice for flying with your baby, check out this Youtube video!
Anna
P.S. Need help getting your baby’s sleep on track before you hit the road? Check out my Free Infant Sleep Class! Because a well-rested baby makes for a happy mama.