How to Help Your Little One Sleep Anywhere (Yes, Even Away from Home)

Travelling with little ones can be a joyful adventure—but when it comes to sleep, it can also feel a bit daunting. New places, different beds, noisy environments, and disrupted routines… it’s no surprise many families worry that going away might undo all their hard work.

The good news? With a little prep (and a dose of flexibility), your little one can sleep well away from home. Whether you're heading to a hotel, staying with grandparents, or camping in the countryside, there are gentle, realistic ways to protect sleep.

As a Norland Nanny, baby sleep consultant, and mum, I’ve supported hundreds of families—and done plenty of travel myself with my daughter, Poppy. Here are some of my top tips to help your family sleep anywhere.

1. Bring the Familiar

The key to helping your child sleep in a new environment is to make it feel as familiar as possible. Pack:

• Their own sheet or sleeping bag (it smells like home)

• White noise (a portable machine or app)

• Comforter or favourite teddy

• Bedtime story and wind-down cue

These familiar items help your little one feel safe—even if everything else looks and smells different.

2. Stick to What You Know (But Stay Flexible)

Keep your bedtime routine as close to normal as possible: bath, story, cuddles, feed—whatever works at home. But be prepared for little curveballs. Late dinners, loud neighbours, or a change in routine might mean shifting bedtime slightly.

Don’t panic. One or two nights of adjustment won’t undo your progress.

3. Create a Sleep Zone

Even in a hotel room or a grandparent’s spare room, you can create a cosy, contained sleep space. Try:

• Popping the travel cot in a quiet corner, wardrobe nook or bathroom (yes, really!)

• Using blackout blinds or muslins pegged over windows

• Bringing a Snoozeshade or SlumberPod if you need extra darkness

A darker, calmer space = better sleep.

4. Nap Smart on Travel Days

Travelling during nap times? Let naps happen however they need to—buggy, sling, car seat. Offer your little one plenty of wind-down cues like a feed, white noise, or their sleep toy. Some sleep is better than none on the move.

If naps are all over the place for a day or two, just bring bedtime earlier until things reset.

5. Plan for Time Zones

If you’re crossing time zones, ease your child in gently. Push bedtime a little later or earlier each day in the run-up, and use light and food to help shift their internal clock once you arrive.

And remember—it’s temporary. You will get back on track.

Reassurance from One Mum to Another

You’re not doing anything wrong if your child takes a bit longer to settle on holiday. They’re just processing a new environment. Offer lots of cuddles, keep your expectations realistic, and lead with calm and connection.

It doesn’t need to be perfect to work.

Want All My Travel Sleep Tips in One Place?

If you’d like more support while you travel, I’ve created The Sleep Anywhere Survival Guide—a beautifully designed, practical download that helps you protect your child’s sleep wherever you go.

Inside, you'll find:

• A full packing checklist for sleep success

• Sleep zone setups for hotels, Airbnbs, and guest rooms

• My go-to travel products

• Real-life examples and gentle sleep tips

• Time zone adjustment planner

• Reassurance that sleep doesn't have to be all or nothing

Just £10.
An affordable, trusted tool to help your family sleep well—even when you're far from home.

Get your copy here

https://site.melaniehastings.sleepnanny.co.uk/sleepanywhereguide