Travelling with a baby is one of those things that sounds lovely in theory and can feel a little chaotic in practice. Whether you are heading to a holiday cottage, staying at a relative's house, or going abroad for the first time as a family, one of the biggest concerns for parents is sleep. New environments can unsettle even the best sleepers. The good news is that with a little preparation, you can help your baby feel safe and calm wherever you are.
Why Do Babies Struggle to Sleep in New Places?
Babies are highly attuned to their surroundings. They rely on familiar sights, sounds, and smells to feel secure. When those cues change, even temporarily, it can disrupt their ability to settle. This is completely normal and not a sign that anything has gone wrong with their sleep habits.
How to Settle a Baby in a New Environment
Bring the Familiar
The single most effective thing you can do is bring items from home that your baby already associates with sleep. This includes their sleeping bag, any white noise you use, and most importantly, their comforter. A comforter that carries your baby's familiar scent is a powerful transitional object. It signals safety and calm regardless of where they are. A soft muslin comforter with a satin edge from Bullabaloo is ideal for travel as it is lightweight, easy to pack, and gives babies something soothing to stroke and twiddle as they drift off.
Recreate the Sleep Environment as Closely as Possible
Try to replicate your baby's usual sleep setup. Use the same sleeping bag, keep the room as dark as possible with a travel blackout blind, and use white noise if that is part of your routine at home. Consistency in the wind-down routine matters more than the physical space.
Stick to Your Usual Routine
Bath, feed, story, song, whatever your routine looks like at home, keep it as consistent as you can. Babies find comfort in predictability, and a familiar sequence of events signals that sleep is coming even in an unfamiliar place.
Give Your Baby Time to Explore the Space
If possible, let your baby spend some awake time in the room where they will sleep before bedtime. Familiarity with the space during the day can make it feel less strange at night.
Expect a Night or Two of Disruption
Even with the best preparation, the first night or two in a new place can be unsettled. This is normal. Try not to introduce new sleep associations (such as feeding to sleep if that is not your usual approach) as these can be harder to undo when you get home.
What is a Transitional Object and Why Does It Help?
A transitional object is something a baby uses to feel connected to their primary caregiver when they are not present or when the environment feels unfamiliar. Comforters are one of the most common and effective transitional objects for babies. Because a comforter absorbs your scent and becomes associated with comfort and sleep over time, it travels with your baby's sense of security wherever you go. Read our guide on how a comforter helps babies self-soothe for more on the science behind it.
Safe Sleep Away from Home
Wherever you are staying, always follow safe sleep guidelines. Your baby should sleep on a firm, flat surface, on their back, in their own sleep space. The Lullaby Trust provides up-to-date safer sleep advice that applies whether you are at home or away. The NHS also has guidance on reducing the risk of SIDS which is worth reading before any trip.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I get my baby to sleep in a travel cot?
Make the travel cot as familiar as possible by using your baby's usual sleeping bag and placing their comforter nearby. A travel blackout blind and white noise can also help recreate the home sleep environment.
Will travelling ruin my baby's sleep routine?
A short trip is unlikely to cause lasting disruption. Most babies return to their usual patterns within a day or two of being home. Keeping your routine as consistent as possible while away minimises the impact.
At what age can babies use a comforter?
Most parents introduce a comforter from birth, though babies typically begin to form a strong attachment to one from around 4 to 6 months. Read our guide on when babies can sleep with a comforter for UK safe sleep guidance.
What should I pack for baby's sleep when travelling?
The essentials are a travel cot or safe sleep surface, your baby's sleeping bag, a comforter, a travel blackout blind, and white noise if used. Keep it simple and focus on recreating the familiar.