Bringing your child on a tropical vacation in the middle of winter may not be as challenging as you may think. Many of our clients are heading south for a break from the winter weather and are surprised at how well their children sleep. It may not be perfect and you may end up co-sleeping while you are gone but our clients are reporting that the sleep is going better than they expect. Here's why and some tips for an even better vacation:

 

4 Things that help your child sleep when vacationing down south

1. More exposure to sunlight

The shorter days in the winter, the lack of natural sunlight can effect our mood as well as our circadian rhythm and ultimately our sleep. And the sunscreen massage can't hurt either.

2. Fresh Air

Research has shown that fresh air in the day can significantly improve sleep. Being outside is also more stimulating to our senses and often results in more physical activity.

3. Water activities

Swimming and spending time in the water is great for encouraging sleep

4. Chilled out parents

When you can get into vacation mode and put the minutia of the daily grind aside, your child will pick up on this. Essentially, you download your calm into your child.

Here is something that can help you take advantage of this:

Self Sandy Beach Massage

Step 1:  STAND IN THE SAND. Stand upright on the beach and look straight ahead toward the water

Step 2:  RELAX. Relax your muscles. Drop your shoulders and feel the warmth of the sun on your face

Step 3:  BREATHE. Slowly inhale through your nose and exhale through your mouth. Repeat 3 times

Step 4:  WALK. Start to slowly and deliberately walk toward the water. Be aware of your feet touching the sand. The sand provides an incredible reflexology massage for whole body wellness and relaxation.

Adapted from:  Thai Breeze

(Don't forget to squeeze the sand between your toes and let us up here in the deep freeze know how it feels)

Top sleep tips for vacations

1. Replicate your child's sleep environment as much as possible. Try bringing your unwashed crib sheet, white noise and garbage bags and painters tape if he needs it dark at home.

2. Try to prevent your child from getting overtired. Get the naps in however you can and try to avoid late nights as they will likely result in night wakings or waking up too early. Get your naps in any way you can even if they are in the stroller, carrier, arms etc.

3. Relax and enjoy!

If you can't get to a warm destination

These sites have some great tips for relaxing with or without sand

Inner Health Studio - Free Beach Relaxation scripts

Emmrama Institute - Sandbag Deep Relaxation Technique

The good news is that spring is just around the corner and so is the Spring time change

Article by:  Andrea Strang