Traveling with infants and toddlers can present certain challenges, as they may become restless due to changes in their routine. If you have trouble putting your small children to bed in a hotel room, there are several ways to help them feel more comfortable and get to sleep sooner. Here's how to encourage better sleep for your young ones while away from home.

4 Tips to Help Small Children Sleep in Hotel Rooms

1. Pack a Travel Crib

If your infant or toddler sleeps in the hotel bed with you, they may roll off during the night and become injured. Additionally, toddlers may kick you in their sleep, leaving you feeling exhausted and irritable the next day. Minimize risks and promote better quality sleep by taking a collapsible travel crib with you on overnight trips. 

2. Keep the Room Dark 

Darkness prompts the brain to produce melatonin, or the hormone that causes feelings of sleepiness. Encourage melatonin production for babies and toddlers by turning out the lights about an hour before bed. Prior to putting your baby down for a nap, close the hotel room's darkening curtains, or use your own set of travel blackout curtains to make the room as dark as possible. 

3. Set Up a Boundary

Toddlers may become fascinated by seeing you in the same room as them and might try to climb in bed with you in the middle of the night. Babies sleeping in the same room may wake up more easily and become fussy if they hear you stirring while getting water or using the bathroom. Rent a hotel room with a separate living area you can convert into a child's bedroom.

4. Bring Home Comforts

Small children often rely on nighttime routines to get to sleep. Bring their favorite blankets or sleep sacks along with music or sound machines you usually play for them before bed. Stick with your usual routine and start getting ready for bed at the same time every night while you travel.

The next time you need accommodations while traveling with small children, book a room at Hampton Inn and Suites. Located in Wilder, KY, they provide clean and comfortable hotel rooms and suites to locals and visitors of the area. Call (859) 441-3049 to make lodging reservations, and visit the website to learn more about room amenities.