Where Should Your Baby or Toddler Sleep While Traveling?

Where should your baby or toddler sleep while traveling? This can be a daunting question if you’re taking your baby or toddler on their first vacation. It can make you wrack your brain deciding where your young child should rest at night. Nothing sounds quite as wonderful as their own crib in their own bedroom. There’s no need to worry as there are many options for your little one to sleep peacefully while on vacation.

Getting good sleep makes sure your child is well-rested and ready for the day’s adventure. It also allows you to get a good night’s sleep, increases your energy, and decreases your overall stress level. For many people, traveling can be stressful all on its own. Ultimately, where your baby or toddler should sleep while on vacation is based on several things. This includes a budget, accommodations, travel method, and your baby or toddler’s sleeping habits.

1. What Are Your Baby or Toddler’s Needs?

Your baby/toddler’s need is the most important factor when deciding where your toddler should sleep while traveling. Making sure your little one is happy will help keep your vacation running smoothly.

Consider Your Child’s Age

If your child is a newborn or infant they’re more likely to sleep with distractions, sleep longer and take many naps throughout the day.  This should mean that catching a nap in any setting is pretty easy. You may not need a totally quiet area for your little one to catch some much-needed shuteye. However, each child is different and if your child is very wakeful or cries at noises, you may need to secure a quiet space for them to rest.

Consider If Your Toddler Naps

Toddlers are less likely to sleep with distractions. My son just turned three and he takes daily naps. It’s important for him to have private space for naps, otherwise, he will find any reason to stay up. He becomes overtired and cranky, and often this leads to emotional and behavioral disaster. The agitation often passes on to the rest of the family. So avoiding these type of moments are key to a successful vacation.

2. How Are You Traveling?

Next, consider your way of travel. Before choosing where your toddler should sleep while traveling, make sure you map out travel space and how you can fit all your necessities on your trip. If you are flying or traveling with a large family (and space in the vehicle is limited) traveling with a portable bed may not be possible and the only option may be choosing a hotel that has accommodations for your baby or toddler.

3. What Are Your Accommodations?

Picking the perfect accommodations is important because it can make your family trip much more comfortable. There are two major things you should think about when deciding where your baby or toddler should sleep while traveling.

Hotels With Cribs

Many hotels and resorts have cribs that you can use for free. If having a crib for your baby or toddler is the only option for you, make sure you book a hotel that offers cribs. This is going to be very useful to those flying or traveling with minimal space to pack sleeping accommodations for their little ones.

Keep in mind that while many hotels offer cribs, it’s limited and may be on a first come first serve basis. In most cases crib use is free, some may charge a small fee for the use of a crib. Please call ahead before booking with a hotel to confirm the details of the cribs.

Hotels With Suites

The second important thing to consider when traveling with your toddler is if you should book a suite. If you want your little one to have privacy for naps or sleep while you are still woke, working, or binging your favorite shows, consider booking a suite rather than a standard room.

There are many types of suites to choose from. Choose a suite with a bedroom and a living room, or a two-room suite that will allow for your little one to sleep peacefully no matter what time of day.

Sofa-Bed

A pull-out sofa bed is also a good option for toddlers and preschoolers. This makes a comfortable and easy sleeping solution. It’s great if you have more than one child that needs a place to sleep while traveling.

Co-Sleeping

If your traveling with an infant or toddler another option is co-sleeping. Sharing a bed requires no extra money or preparation, however, be realistic as to what you want to accomplish during your trip. Also if your child normally sleeps alone this sudden change in their schedule and sleep habits may not allow for them to settle down as easily when it’s time to go to sleep. Co-sleeping is not safe for newborns and they should have a separate sleeping area at all times. Here are some safe co-sleeping tips.

Before choosing to co-sleep, consider some of these potential concerns:

• Is your child a light sleeper liable to wake up if you turn over in bed or go to the bathroom?
• Do you sleep and wake up around the same time as your child?
• Are you planning on watching movies or using your computer after your little one’s bedtime?
• Do you and your spouse want personal time?
• How long is your vacation? While this option may be doable for a night or two an extended trip may not be a good idea for co-sleeping for the reasons above.

If you’ve cleared that list and are good…this is the easiest and cheapest method of traveling with a toddler. This is not recommended for babies due to the risk of suffocation.

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Where Should My Baby or Toddler Sleep While Traveling? – Portable Sleeping Options

We’ve discussed booking hotels cribs, softa-beds, and co-sleeping. The following portable beds are great if you want options you can easily pack away and take them with you.

Here are some of the best options for your baby or toddler to sleep while traveling

Baby Portable Sleeping

Here are some great options your baby should sleep while traveling. All of these options fold down easily so you can take them wherever you go.

Beberoad Love Baby Portable Bassinet

This highly-rated bassinet folds down and weighs just under 4.5 pounds.

It comes with a removable mosquito net and canopy. It’s recommended for up to 5 months or under 22 pounds.

Dream on Me Bassinet

Dream on Me bassinets are durable, foldable, and lightweight for easy storage or carrying.

I used this bassinet for several months for my son and it was very easy to move around my home and fold away.

Pamo Bebe Travel Crib

Travel crib suitable for babies up to 33 pounds. This includes a bassinet and crib-size sleeping.

The zippered front allows for an easy in and out for playtime.

Toddler Portable Sleeping

These options are portable and easy to set up for your toddler to sleep while traveling. They fold down quickly and are comfortable for your toddler.

Intex Blow-up Portable Toddler Bed

Intex’s highly-rated blow-up toddler bed is safe to use for kids 3 to 6 years old.

It includes a lightweight inner mattress, a carrying bag, and a hand pump for quick filling.  This bed weighs 9 pounds.

Regalo Portable Cot

This toddler cot is perfect for your traveling needs.  It’s lightweight, foldable, and washable.

Regalo’s cot holds up to 75 pounds, so your little one can have it for many years!

Millard Folding Toddler Floor Bed

This large floor bed is comfortable. I bought this for my son, but I will say that of all the options this folds down the least.

While comfortable, it isn’t much of a compact option if you’re tight on space.

I hope this answers the question…where should your baby or toddler sleep while traveling.

If you have any tips to share with other moms about portable sleep options, leave them in the comment section below.

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