20 Travel Hacks To Make Sure Your Baby Actually Sleeps While On Vacation

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You've come to the right place if your toddler won't sleep on vacation or if you're looking for tricks to get the baby to sleep on vacation! A happy mother is a well-rested mother, and a happy toddler is also a well-rested toddler. 

Anyone who has traveled with children understands how difficult it is to pack just the right amount of items for a vacation. If a trip to Disney World is on the horizon for your family, here are 20 must-have items that will make you feel like your family's Fairy Godmother.

Vacationing with your kids is a fantastic idea in theory, but the reality is that taking your little traveling circus on the road can be extremely stressful and disruptive to a solid sleep routine you've spent weeks, months, or even years perfecting.

Whether your family is heading to the sunny south to relax by the pool or to Disney World for a fast-paced, activity-packed trip, we're all hoping for some level of downtime when we go on vacation. However, when our children aren't sleeping well in their new environment, our dream of catching up on much-needed rest while on vacation can quickly fade.

However, here's why you should still go! The world waits for you. It will be fine if you plan ahead of time and are willing to be flexible rather than obsessing over every detail. And, while it may be tempting to pack everything but the kitchen sink to replicate the sensory deprivation chamber you've set up in your child's bedroom at home, don't overdo it. Some simple and clever travel hacks can be used to create a comfortable toddler or baby sleeping environment without spending or carrying anything.

You're looking forward to your trip, but you're starting to worry about bedtime and naps. Follow these 20 hacks to replicate your baby's bedroom and help the entire family get some rest, whether you're staying in a hotel or an Airbnb.

Here are 20 travel hacks to make sure your baby sleeps while on vacation

Hack #1: Hangers to the rescue

Many hotels have good curtains, but some light still gets in from the sides. So go through your closets for some skirt hangers and use them to pin those pesky drapes together. Large chip-bag clips, clothespins, or even hair claw clips could all work. They're especially useful for lulling your baby to sleep during the day.

Hack #2: Toddler bedrail DIYs

There are some pretty cool products available that address the need for portable bed rails. If your child is over the age of 12 months, you can stuff extra towels, sheets, or pillows under the fitted sheet to keep your sleeping toddler or preschooler snug and safe from falling off the bed. If you're going somewhere with a beach, you can do the same thing with foam pool noodles, or pack these inflatable travel ones.

Hack #3: Double-duty bathrooms

If you can't book a two-room suite and want to get the most bang for your buck with that one-room hotel or Airbnb, how about converting the bathroom into a charming little nursery for bébé? There are many resourceful parents out there who do their homework to ensure that the bathrooms they choose are spacious, well ventilated, and dark. In addition, the bathroom fan serves as a substitute for white noise.

Unless you or your older children need to go to the bathroom in the middle of the night, which could be awkward. You'd have to maneuver around the travel crib and hope the tinkling doesn't wake them up.

On the other hand, many parents prefer to put their baby to bed in the main room and then eat their take-out dinner in the WC or on the balcony, if your room has one. What we go through for our children's sleep!

Hack #4: Cabin fever

Cruise-ship suites are notoriously small, and your bathroom is unlikely to be large enough to serve as an "extra room," so invest in some sturdy magnetic hooks and a couple of shower curtains to give your children their own space. Because ship cabins are frequently made of metal, those hooks should work flawlessly. Plus, they're ideal for hanging clothing, swimsuits, and room keys by the door during the day.

Hack #5: Glow-in-the-dark tape

Glow-in-the-dark tape is a pretty crafty way to mark off those large, wooden, and painful pieces of furniture that someone will probably hit themselves on for those toddlers and older kids who may go bump in the night. You can even mark the way to the bathroom for those late-night phone calls.

Hack #6: Rearrange the furniture 

There are some pretty cool hotel hacks for DIY toddler beds out there, but a safer bet is to push a sturdy two-seater loveseat against the wall. Turn it around so that the flat backside of the couch faces the room, creating a cozy, toddler-sized spot for a sweet nap.

Hack #7: When all else fails

Allow them to stay up as late as they want, jump on the bed, watch too much hotel-room TV, and then cosleep with you or your partner when they finally fall asleep. Aside from the jokes, some parents swear that messing up bedtime for the first couple of nights means their kids will be fine for the rest of the trip. Let's hope so!

Hack #8: Snacks

When children become overheated, bored, and hungry, they become irritable. Pack plenty of portable snacks in your park bag to prevent tantrums from occurring. Granola bars, apples, crackers, raisins, and string cheese are all healthy options.

Hack #9: Bubbles or small toys

Waiting is unavoidable at Disney World, whether you're in a long line or staking out a spot for the parade. In-between activities, a light-up bubble wand, a Mickey plush, or other small toys can help keep kids occupied.

Hack #10: Swimsuits

You might think that all the fun at Disney takes place inside the parks, but the pools at the on-property resorts are a great way to cool off when the temperatures rise. Even if your schedule is jam-packed with park days, packing your swimsuits in case of a relaxing afternoon in the pool can help energize your family for an evening of rides and fireworks.

Hack #11: Ponchos or umbrellas

You don't have to let rainy days ruin your vacation. These are some of the best days to visit the parks because most people flee for cover, leaving you with fewer crowds and shorter lines. Pack a few ponchos or umbrellas so you don't have to miss out on the fun.

Hack #12: Water Bottles

You can easily purchase water bottles throughout Disney (and many quick-service restaurants will give you free cups of ice water), but carrying your bottles and refilling them throughout the day is the easiest way to ensure everyone in your group stays hydrated. You'll also save a lot of money on the water!

Hack #13: Sunscreen

True, many Disney attractions are indoors, and there are plenty of shady spots, but the Florida sun can get to you quickly. It is preferable to begin your day with sunscreen and reapply it once or twice than to begin your vacation with a (painful) sunburn.

Hack #14: Matching shirts

Matching shirts serve a purpose aside from being super cute. It's much easier to spot one another in a crowd if you're dressed similarly in bright colors.

Hack #15: Portable charger

With all of the adorable photos you'll be taking and the My Disney Experience app you'll be using to track FastPass+ and dining reservations, your phone battery will be depleted faster than you can say Mickey Mouse. With a portable charger, you can charge your devices while on the go, ensuring that you never miss the opportunity to capture those special moments.

Hack #16: Laundry supplies

On vacation, no one wants to do laundry. However, doing a few loads near the end of your trip can help lighten your load when you arrive home. Laundry services are available at Disney's on-property resorts, but you'll save money if you bring your travel-sized detergent and dryer sheets.

Hack #17: Autograph book and pen

Disney fans will want to get a few autographs from their favorite characters. Bring your notebook and pen (there are plenty available in the parks if you forget) for a cheap and fun souvenir.

Hack #18: Portable high chair

If your child still requires a high chair, attaching a portable version to one of the seats in your hotel room will ensure that they have a safe place to sit for meals and snacks.

Hack #19: Hats and hair ties

Fast-paced rides, as well as Even the best hair days in Florida, can be ruined by the humidity. Keep a hat or hair tie in your bag to tame your mane if it becomes unruly.

Hack #20: A few baggies in various sizes

You can use a gallon Ziplock for wet swimsuits, a quart for a snow globe in Iceland, and a snack-sized one for seashells in Holland. 

I hope these 20 travel hacks help to make sure your baby sleeps while on vacation

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