Navigating Naps On-The-Go

This blog post was written by an Infant Insights sleep consultant. Book a free call with one of our consultants to see if we can help you and your baby sleep better!

Let’s be honest—staying home for every single nap is not always possible (or fun). Whether you’ve got errands to run, older kids to pick up from school, or just need to get out of the house for your own sanity, sometimes naps on the go need to happen. And guess what? That’s okay! Naps on the go can absolutely be part of healthy sleep habits. It is our goal that having a positive sleep foundation will help you and your baby have flexibility with sleep and not feel stressed if every nap isn’t perfect!

Are Naps on the Go Bad?

Nope! While it’s ideal (and what I recommend!) to have the majority of naps happen in a crib or bassinet, naps on the go are absolutely fine in moderation. It will not ruin your baby’s good sleep habits or undo any sleep teaching you have done. Life is full of things like appointments, school pickups, grocery store trips, and travel—and naps can still happen even if they have to overlap with those events. Below I offer my best tips for navigation naps on the go!

When Should You Keep Driving vs. Try to Transfer? 

I get asked this question all the time! Babies just seem to love to sleep in the car! I can totally relate honestly! The quiet hum of the car engine just makes me so sleepy. But what do you do if your baby falls asleep in the car or stroller when you are alllllmost home for nap time? Here are a few ways to handle that situation, because we have all experienced it!

• Keep driving! If they just fell asleep or are likely to wake up during a transfer, I recommend plugging in a good audiobook for yourself and let your baby keep sleeping. Motion helps sustain lighter sleep, so it’s often best to keep going until at least the 30–45 minute mark. This is often one sleep cycle for a baby, and if they cannot take a full nap in their sleep space, letting them get in at least a full catnap (30-45 minutes) is what I recommend. Try to avoid "micro-naps" (5–10 minutes), as they can refresh your baby just enough to skip the nap entirely
• Transfer: If they’ve been asleep for 20–30+ minutes and you're ready to head inside. Some babies will transfer easily, others won’t—and that’s okay! It is worth trying out a time to two to see if your baby will transfer or not. I do recommend keeping a travel sound machine in the car seat and leaving it on as you carry them inside. Carry the baby in their car seat all the way to their sleeping space, turn the sound machine on in that room before transferring, and try to get them into their space as gently as you can. You may need to stay and help soothe them back to sleep, and that is okay!

Planning Around Naps

While it really may seem like a puzzle and a lot to think about, a little nap planning can go a long way when you’ve got a full day ahead. I always recommend thinking about what you have planned for the day, your babies wake windows, and how many naps they have when thinking through naps on the go! Here are some of my best tips. 

• Look at your day as a whole. Which nap is most important for your baby to take at home (it’s usually the first one) Try to protect that one. Try to plan events after that nap if possible. 
• Plan car rides around nap time if you know your baby tends to fall asleep on the go. Meaning, if you need to go to the grocery store, plan to go right after a nap so baby can stay awake in the car! 
• If you know you are going to be out for a nap and need to do a car seat or carrier nap, bring your go-to sleep cues with you: a white noise machine (I’ve been known to attach the sound machine to my ergo at the playground!), pacifier, favorite lovey (if age-appropriate), or sleep sack can make a big difference. 
• Keep wake windows in mind so you’re not starting a long car ride when baby is overtired. Try to plan to get into the car and get moving right when baby is due for a nap! If you are just going a short distance but baby’s nap time is soon, I recommend getting into the car with ample time to get where you are going to prevent baby from falling asleep in the car so you can strap baby in a carrier for a nap and not have to transfer him or her once asleep.

What About Travel?

I love traveling and having a baby should never stop you from traveling!! Here are my best tips for naps while traveling!

• Start with an independent sleeper. Babies with positive sleep skills makes traveling easier
• Stick to your usual nap timing! 
• Aim to have one good nap at least a day where you are staying. 
• Use motion naps (in the car, stroller, or baby carrier) to bridge gaps. For example, if you are flying, it is totally okay to put your baby in a carrier during a layover and let them get a nap! 
• Bring familiar sleep items and set up a quiet nap space wherever you're staying.
• Know that naps may be shorter or slightly off schedule—and that’s okay. You can get back on track once you're home.

Real Life Isn’t Always Crib Naps

I always tell the families I work with: sleep is important, but so is real life. If you’re skipping everything fun or staying home all day everyday just to make naps happen in the crib, that’s not sustainable—or fun for anyone. But that is actually why I am such a big proponent of independent sleep! It allows for more flexibility and predictability for what to expect from your baby and sleep. 

It’s totally okay to say: This nap is happening in the stroller so I can enjoy a walk and a coffee. You’re not ruining your baby’s sleep. You’re living life with your baby in it. 

To sum it up, Naps on the go aren’t something to fear—they are just part of life, but knowing how and when to use them can take a lot of the stress out of naps on the go. When you use them intentionally and keep your baby's sleep needs in mind, they can help you stay flexible and still meet your baby’s rest needs. Yes, it may take a lot of thought and planning, but that will help both you and baby in the long run! 

And if naps (on the go or at home) feel like a constant battle? We’re here to help. We can create a sleep routine that works for your life—errands, older siblings, travel days, and all. If you are in need of sleep support, Infant Insights exists to help you. Book a free call to see how we can support you.