Sleep Tips When Travelling With a Baby vs Toddler

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A mother in a white robe folding baby clothes into an open suitcase on the floor next to her toddler in pink pyjamas, with a woven bassinet in the background.

Family holidays, road trips and flights are exciting, but travelling with a baby or toddler often means packing far more than you'd like. While it can feel impossible to travel light, understanding what your little one needs for safe sleep can help you pack smarter and leave the unnecessary extras behind.

Sleep needs can look quite different depending on your child's age. Babies thrive on consistency, with familiar sleep routines, while toddlers, on the other hand, may find it hard to settle into unfamiliar environments and can be more resistant to changes in their sleep.

Whether you're heading away for a weekend road trip or flying overseas, knowing how to support your child's sleep while travelling can make the journey smoother for the whole family.

Here's our guide to safe and comfortable sleep when travelling with a baby vs a toddler, including what to pack, how to maintain their routine, and tips for helping them settle wherever holiday takes you.

Sleep Space

Baby

When travelling, your baby's sleep space should be just as safe as it is at home. Babies should always sleep on a flat, firm mattress in their own safe sleep space and should not sleep in an adult bed.

While many hotels offer cots or bassinets, bringing your own portable cot or travel bassinet can help provide a familiar sleep environment and give you confidence that your baby's sleep space meets safe sleep recommendations. 

Split view showing a portable beige mesh bassinet with a baby resting inside on the left, and the bassinet folded into its matching travel bag on the right.
Toddler

Toddlers are often more aware of changes to their surroundings, so sleeping away from home can sometimes make it harder for them to settle. If your toddler has transitioned out of a cot, a portable travel bed can provide a familiar and comfortable sleep space, helping them feel familiar while you're away.

A toddler lying down inside a space-patterned portable travel mat on a cream carpet, holding a toy with books nearby.

Sleep Routine

Baby

Babies thrive on consistency, even away from home. Following their usual sleep routine, such as feeding, cuddling, and swaddling helps signal that it’s time for sleep and can make settling in a new environment easier. 

A smiling baby lying in a wooden cot, wearing a beige zipped Cocoon Swaddle Bag on a grid-patterned sheet.
Toddler

Toddler sleep routines are often more established and can vary from family to family. It can be a warm bath, reading their favourite bedtime stories, using routine cards, or singing a lullaby; keeping their usual routine can help them feel secure and settle more easily while travelling.

Overhead view of a child reaching for illustrated routine cards scattered on a quilted mustard-yellow mat.

Familiar Sleep Items

Baby

Pack sleepwear that they are already used to, whether it’s their favourite swaddle or sleeping bag. Keeping their bedtime routine as familiar as possible can help them settle into a new environment.

Close-up of a parent zipping up a baby in a pink floral sleeping bag while lying on a quilted mustard-yellow mat.
Toddler

Bring along their favourite sleep comforts, such as their go-to pyjamas, blankets (from 2+ is recommended), or pillow. Better yet, let them choose and pack these items, making the getaway more exciting for them. 

A mother seated in an armchair playing with her toddler, who is holding up a blue sleeping bag next to a wooden cot.

Sleep Environment

Baby

Try to recreate your baby's usual sleep environment wherever possible. A dark, quiet room with a comfortable temperature can help encourage restful sleep. Use white noise machine to mask any unfamiliar, disruptive noises in their new sleep environment.

Drift Away White Noise Machine with soft LED light
Toddler

Toddlers may be more easily distracted by new surroundings. Keeping the room dark, maintaining a comfortable temperature, and using familiar sleep cues such as white noise or a night light (if part of their routine) can help them settle and sleep more soundly.

A child reaching out to touch a softly glowing, orange bedtime lamp with a cute smiling face sitting on a wooden stool next to a cot.

Every child is different, and travelling can bring its own sleep challenges. Keeping routines, sleepwear and comfort cues familiar can help make a new sleep environment feel a little more like home.


With love,

eP X

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