How to Handle Baby Sleep During Summer Travel

Summer is full of adventures—family road trips, visits with grandparents, beach days, and spontaneous weekend getaways. But if you’ve got a baby or toddler in tow, you know that excitement often comes with a big side of sleep disruption. As a mom and sleep consultant, I’ve been there—packing up a Pack ‘n Play and hoping for the best, wondering if naps will happen and bracing for bedtime battles in an unfamiliar place.

The truth is, travel doesn’t have to totally derail your baby’s sleep. In fact, with a little preparation and a lot of grace, it’s completely possible to enjoy your summer trips and help your child get the rest they need.

Here’s what’s worked for my family—and the families I support—when it comes to sleep and summer travel.

Stick With What’s Familiar (Even in a New Place)

One of the biggest challenges during travel is that everything feels new to your child—the sights, smells, lighting, and routine. But babies and toddlers crave predictability. So, whether you’re in a hotel or staying at a family member’s house, try to make bedtime feel as normal as possible.

We always bring a familiar bedtime book, the white noise machine, and my daughter’s favorite blanket (sleep sack before she turned 2). These small comforts signal to your little one, "You're safe. It's bedtime, just like always."

If you normally do bath time, jammies, a story, and cuddles—keep doing that. It doesn’t matter if the bath is in a giant hotel tub or a plastic storage bin at grandma’s. Babies aren’t looking for perfection—they’re looking for consistency.

The Travel Item I Swore I Didn’t Need (But Now Wouldn’t Travel Without)

I resisted the SlumberPod for a long time. I told myself we didn’t need it. I thought it was too expensive. I figured we could just make do by throwing a blanket over the Pack ‘n Play or putting our toddler in the corner of the room and hoping the blackout curtains were good enough.

But let me tell you… once I caved and got it, everything changed.

We were sharing a hotel room, and I was bracing for another day of short naps and early wake-ups. But with the SlumberPod, my toddler had her own little sleep nook. It was dark, (but not too dark because it has a pocket for her night light). It was quiet (but not too quiet because she had her noise machine). It felt like her own space, even though we were all sharing one room.

She slept so much better. And I didn’t have to tiptoe around the room with the lights off or hide in the bathroom with my phone on low volume. I’ve been recommending it to families ever since, and I always tell them the truth: I wish I had bought it sooner.

Plan Travel Around Nap Time (Whenever You Can)

If you’re road-tripping, one of the best hacks I’ve found is to plan your travel time around your baby or toddler’s nap schedule. We’ve done this on every long drive—we get everything packed and ready, then hit the road right around nap time. There’s something magical about a quiet car ride while your baby snoozes in the backseat.

Now, it doesn’t always work out perfectly. Sometimes they wake up early or skip the nap entirely. But aiming for nap time at least gives you a chance for a peaceful stretch of driving.

It also helps to have a few car toys, snacks, and music ready for when they wake up. I keep a small bag next to the car seat and rotate a couple of favorites in and out to keep things interesting.

Set Up a Sleep Space That Works—Wherever You Are

Your baby’s sleep environment can make a huge difference, especially in a new place. Whether you’re staying with family or checking into a hotel, do a little recon before bedtime.

Can you put the Pack ‘n Play in a darker corner of the room? Is there a bathroom big enough to fit it safely (yep, that definitely happened once)? Can you hang up portable blackout curtains to block out that 9pm summer sunset?

When my oldest was a baby (before the SlumberPod) we had a portable blackout curtain, and it would come with us on every trip. It would stick right to the window with suction cups and help create the kind of dark space that signals bedtime. Pair that with a white noise machine to block out unfamiliar sounds, and you’ve got a winning combo.

And if your baby’s never slept in a Pack ‘n Play before, it helps to do a little practice at home. Try a nap or two in it before you travel so it’s not brand-new the first night away.

Flying? Take It One Step at a Time

Flying with a baby or toddler can feel overwhelming—especially if you’re worried about sleep. My best advice? Focus on comfort and connection, not perfection.

If your baby naps on the plane, amazing. If not, that’s okay too. Offer extra snuggles. Feed during takeoff and landing to help with ear pressure. Babywear if you need hands-free snuggles or naps.

Try to bring familiar sleep items onboard if you can—like a small blanket or a pacifier. And if you're crossing time zones, don’t stress too much about the exact timing of sleep that first day. Help your baby adjust gently.

Time Zone Transitions: Go Gradual

When it comes to time zones, every baby is different—but there are some general guidelines that can help.

For toddlers, you can usually shift their schedule by 15 to 30 minutes per day until they’re on the new time. That might mean a slightly later bedtime each night or pushing naps just a bit until you’re aligned with the local schedule.

But for newborns or younger infants, slower is better. Their circadian rhythms aren’t as developed, so a more gradual approach can help avoid meltdowns and missed sleep cues. Try adjusting by 10–15 minutes a day and using natural light to your advantage—get outside in the morning and dim the lights in the evening to help reset their internal clock.

And remember, the adjustment works both ways—so when you return home, use the same method to ease back into your normal routine.

When Sleep Goes Sideways (Because It Might)

Despite your best planning, your baby might still have a rough night (or a few). That’s okay. Travel is stimulating. There are new faces, new sounds, and lots of excitement. It’s totally normal for sleep to be off for a few days.

What matters most is what you do after the trip.

Once you’re back home, get right back into your usual sleep routine. Same bedtime, same steps, same expectations. Don’t panic if it takes a few nights to settle back in. Your baby is resilient—and so are you.

I usually recommend holding firm on whatever boundaries or routines you had before the trip. If your baby was falling asleep independently, try to return to that. If your toddler was sleeping in their own bed, gently guide them back to it. Consistency is what helps things normalize.

Give Yourself (and Your Baby) Grace

I always tell the families I work with that traveling with a baby or toddler isn’t just about sleep—it’s about memories. But it took me a while to really believe that.

A couple of summers ago, we took a family trip to Disney World. We stayed with my brother who lives nearby, and I was so excited—this was our big “first time” experience, and I had visions of magical moments and unforgettable fun at the happiest place on earth. But you know what I spent a huge chunk of that trip doing?

Trying to get my toddler to nap.

I was determined to stick to the routine. I spent hours walking circles with the stroller, pacing back and forth in a dark room, and stressing out every time her nap didn’t go perfectly. I missed out on moments I had dreamed of because I was so focused on making sure sleep looked exactly like it did at home.

Looking back, I wish I had given myself more flexibility and trusted that we’d get back on track later. The truth is, your baby might have short naps on vacation. Bedtime might be later. You might end up rocking them to sleep even if you haven’t done that in months.

And it’s okay.

Because sleep is important—but so is joy. So is the laughter, the sticky fingers from Mickey-shaped ice cream bars, and the way your toddler lights up at a parade. Don’t miss the magic because you’re chasing perfect sleep.

Instead, aim for better, not perfect. Try not to stress about perfection. Focus on the moments of connection—the giggles in the car seat, the hotel bed cuddles, the sandy toes at the beach. Protect rest when you can, be flexible when you need to, and know that whatever setbacks happen, you can recover. And if you need help getting back into rhythm when you’re home—I’ve got you.

Final Thoughts

Summer travel doesn’t have to be the end of good sleep. With a little planning, realistic expectations, and a few smart tools, your baby can rest well while you make unforgettable memories as a family.

And when you get back? I’m here if you need help getting things back on track.

Because yes—summer travel can be exhausting—but it’s also full of joy. You don’t have to choose between the two.