What My Spring Getaway Taught Me About Baby Sleep (and Parent Rest!)
When having my daughter in 2020 a holiday in the sun was something we could only dream of due to Covid restrictions. We finally managed our first family holiday when she was 3 years old and it was amazing. What made it even more special was, after 7 years of infertility and multiple rounds of IVF we arrived back to England and found a little miracle came from our break away who is now nearly 9 months old! I wanted to stay the same with our first family holiday as a 4 so we headed back to Tenerife for 10 days - this time with no surprises upon our return.
So, we headed to the Bahia Principe Fantasia resort in Golf Del Sur. Golf Del Sur is somewhere I have visited almost yearly over the last 25 years so it has a big place in my heart. The hotel was fantastic for the kids, there was so much to see and do and despite the negative reviews we found no problems at all. The family room was spacious and very well sound proofed and the food was what you would expect from a buffet style all inclusive. One thing, which I’ll touch upon in this blog, is if you have fussy eaters or little ones below 1 I would recommend taking your own pouches or homemade food if you can.
While I had every intention of switching off completely (and I did for the most part!), I couldn’t help but notice how many parallels there were between our holiday rhythms and the work I do every day as a sleep consultant. Because here’s the thing: rest is powerful — for babies and grown-ups alike.
Lesson 1: Routine Brings Comfort (Even on Holiday)
You’d think ditching the schedule would be the most freeing part of a holiday — but I found myself after a few days feeling desperate to get back to our usual routine. We naturally slipped into a rhythm: slow mornings, pool days, naps on the move or in the room and my 4 year old even managed a few little siesta’s. This helped massively when it came to those later nights when she wanted to enjoy the mini disco or the light show which happened at 8pm each night.
It reminded me not how much babies thrive on routine but how we all do. A flexible routine helps little one’s feel safe and settled, especially when everything else (like a new environment) is unfamiliar. We didn’t stick to the clock, but we did stick to a flow — and that made all the difference.
In relation to food - my kids missed those home comforts massively. Although my 4 year old loved the fact she could eat chicken nuggets and ice cream all day long, she was so happy when we arrived home and I got the Weetabix out. My 9 month old didn’t eat a great lot once the pouches I brought from home were gone, so that’s a lesson to me to be more prepared next time and take some familiar foods for him. He did, however, indulge in bread, watermelon and yogurt which he was loving!
Lesson 2: The Sleep Environment Matters
We stayed in a beautiful family room, but the bedrooms were different from home — unfamiliar sounds and smells and aircon which we don’t have at home. The room had great blackout curtains which were 100% required and did the trick but to help with the other differences I put on my sleep consultant hat and brought some tricks from home:
✔️ White noise machine - we use the DreamEgg and it worked great!
✔️ Usual nightwear - we used a lower tog sleeping bag.
✔️ His usual comforts from home such as his dummy and ‘guy’ (comforter)
Although he needed a little more settling and woke up with different noises as there were four of us in the room, it worked a treat. It was such a good reminder that environment makes a big impact — and with a few small adjustments, you can help your child sleep well anywhere.
Lesson 3: Parents Need Rest Too
One afternoon, while the kids napped (yes, at the same time — a holiday miracle!), I lay down and closed my eyes. Not to scroll or tidy or “get ahead,” but just to rest. And wow, what a difference it made. Being able to sit in the sunshine on the balcony whilst the kids nap makes all the difference to your headspace.
We’re so quick to prioritise our baby’s sleep, but often forget how much our own rest fuels our parenting. Whether it’s a nap, a quiet moment with a cup of coffee, or just stepping outside for a breath of fresh air — your nervous system deserves care, too.
One morning while the boys were still asleep I went for a walk with my 4 year old to watch the sunrise and those memories will last me a lifetime.
Coming Home: Easing Back Into Routine
The transition home is always a bit bumpy, especially after a few days of relaxed schedules. Here’s what helped us (and what I recommend to the families I support):
Don’t panic if sleep goes off track for a few days. It’s normal.
Reset bedtime rituals — that familiar rhythm is reassuring.
Prioritise naps and earlier bedtimes to help them catch up.
Give yourself grace — and maybe another coffee.
Final Thoughts
Our first holiday as a four is something I will never forget, don’t get me wrong it is very different holidaying with children than as a couple but it is so worth it! Seeing how happy both children were in the pool and soaking in the sunshine is worth every penny.
If you’re planning a holiday abroad soon or even in England and you’re worried about how your little one will adapt - have no fear, I’ve got you! Head over to my free downloads page where you will find a helpful guide on holidaying with little ones.