How do I keep sleep somewhat intact on vacation?

Vacation is lovely and full at the same time: more people, more impressions, less structure, and a sleep spot your child doesn't know. That's a lot for one week.

The vacation trap

Almost every parent thinks it: it's vacation, so later to bed, and then we'll all sleep in.

With children it doesn't work that way. A later bedtime doesn't give a longer morning but a shorter one: overtiredness makes the night more restless and the morning earlier. That's the same mechanism as at home, see moving bedtime earlier.

Eighty to twenty

Kyra's golden vacation rule is a ratio, and that's exactly why you can work with it: 80 percent routine, 20 percent relaxation.

The 80 percent is the foundation. About the same bedtime, the same order in the evening, and the naps that really matter. The 20 percent is the rest: a late night now and then, a nap in the stroller, an evening that runs over.

That way, something familiar stays in place without your vacation becoming a schedule.

What to bring

Blackout is the most important thing. A vacation home or hotel room is almost always too light, and in summer it's still bright late in the evening. Bring whatever gets it really dark.

Beyond that, anything that makes the room feel like home helps: the same sound, the same comfort toy, the same order. See setting up the nursery for what really matters.

The travel day

On the day itself, traveling with a baby is mostly about surviving, and that's no joke but the mindset that makes it easiest. Plan around your child's rhythm where you can, and count on sleep going differently on the way.

A nap in the car or on the plane simply counts. It doesn't need to be pretty there.

Prevent the evening meltdown

More stimulation during the day means a child who's fuller in the evening than at home. So deliberately build in a calm moment before the bedtime routine starts, even if the day was fun.

Especially with a child who fills up faster: see the overstimulated baby.