Top Tips for Room Sharing During the Holidays
If your child has never shared a room before, the holidays could be that time. Whether you are hosting or traveling this season, you can expect your child’s routine will be impacted. Especially when it comes to sleep.
Here are my top tips for infant and toddler room sharing for the holidays (Or every day!)
1. Pair good sleepers together. (Or Sleep Train!)
If your child is sharing a room with a sibling or cousin, pair compatible sleepers in the same room. If two children sleep with sound machines and fall asleep quickly and easily, they will make great roommates.
Or, maybe your infant sleeps with an older child. That way you have a chance to get the baby to sleep before the older child goes to bed.
If there are children who go to sleep at the same time, they could be a good match. The children can do their bedtime routine together and lights out at the same time. It will be a fun, new routine!
Don’t leave sleep training out of the equation! The best time to create an independent sleeper was yesterday. The next best time is now. It doesn’t take months to see change or results. I had a client who started sleep training 2 days before Thanksgiving. She stayed consistent despite the holiday and managed to stay the course and see results.
If your little one struggled with sleep before room sharing, then sleep while room sharing could be a disaster.
If you need help creating a solid sleep foundation for the holidays, or anytime, we offer a variety of sleep packages for ages 4 months-4 years and FREE 15-minute mini consultations. Sign up here!
2. Prepare the room ahead of time.
Make sure the room is ready before bedtime. Either in your house or set up the space when you get to your guest’s house.
Keep beds and cribs on opposite sides of the room. If possible, have a sound machine for each child and place the sound machine on the side of the bed closest to the other child. If you only have one sound machine, place the machine between the children.
If your child is room sharing with someone who doesn’t use a sound machine, keep the sound machine on the opposite side of the bed as the other child. Use a lower-than-usual volume setting.
Keep the room dark to avoid distraction.
Lay out PJs and all bedtime elements ahead of time. Stagger bedtime between your infant and toddler if they are room sharing. Get all of the toddler’s bedtime things together and move them to a different room. Get your infant down first and then get your toddler ready in the other room that contains their things. Do their routine in a different bedroom or the living room if you have to. Talk to your toddler about being quiet when they enter the room later.
Provide a special lovey or favorite stuffed animal for your child to sleep with. (Over the age of 6 months) A little security or something familiar can help ease anxiety over room sharing.
3. Explain to your toddler what is going to happen.
Talk to your toddler the week before room sharing will occur and explain to them what is going to happen. How their room will change or what to expect at their guest’s house for sleep. Make it fun and exciting! Giving them a heads up will offer a chance for questions and omit any surprises the day of.
If your toddler is going to be room sharing with an infant, make sure they understand the rules of sleep for the baby ahead of time. Be clear about not offering the infant any blankets or toys in the crib. They should understand they are not to climb into the crib at any point, especially if the baby is in the crib.
It’s also a good idea to explain to your toddler that if the baby wakes in the night, to let mom and dad handle it. They should not try to pick up or soothe the baby. An adult will be there to do that. Give children clear guidance about what to do during the night.
4. Keep your regular bedtime routine for each child as you normally would.
Holidays and special occasions always impact your child’s routine. Try to keep things as normal as possible. Keep bedtime as close to the regular time as possible. Keep your routine the same. Try to recreate their sleep environment as best you can. Give your child time to unwind from the exciting holiday before you whisk them off to bed. Maybe you read an extra book that night.
Adjust your holiday schedule to accommodate the little ones joining the party. Maybe you push dessert off by 30 minutes so you can get your child to bed.
Likewise, keep daytime sleep as normal as possible. Maybe you can’t be home for all naps that day, but try to be home (or home-base) for at least one.
5. Have a Plan B.
Always have a Plan B! If room sharing just isn’t working out for either child, move on. See if you can set up a pack ‘n play in the living room or an office space temporarily. It’s easier to move an infant than it is a toddler. Sometimes a child might have to move into the room with mom and dad. Think of your Plan B before you enter into room sharing.
Petite Sleep Tip for Parents: Get a set of ear plugs and an eye mask if you are the one room sharing with your child. Accept that it’s temporary and everyone’s sleep will be impacted in some way. It can’t get worse than the movie Christmas Vacation, right?
Sweet Dreams!
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