Surviving christmas: Keeping your baby’s sleep on track (as much as possible!)
Christmas is magical - the lights, the music, the excitement, the family. But for little ones, it’s also a lot. A lot of noise, a lot of people, a lot of stimulation, and absolutely zero predictability.
If you’re already thinking, “How on earth will naps work?” or you’re reading this after a long Christmas week whispering, “Everything has gone completely off the rails,” you are absolutely in the right place. A lot of families feel this way, even when everything looks picture-perfect on Instagram.
This guide isn’t about getting perfect sleep (no one gets perfect sleep at Christmas). It’s about keeping things calm enough, protecting the parts that matter most, and knowing exactly how to bring things back once the festivities are over - especially if you’re worried about baby sleep at Christmas.
Why baby sleep goes sideways at Christmas (and why that’s completely normal)
Christmas has a funny way of pulling the rug out from under even the most settled routines. Suddenly you’re in different houses, passing the baby between excited relatives, having naps in the car between events, and trying to fit sleep around an ever-growing list of plans.
On top of that, your baby may be ill or going through developmental changes - rolling, crawling, standing, separation awareness - so even without Christmas, sleep can wobble. Add travel, overstimulation, sugar, noise, and general excitement, and of course things shift.
None of it means anything is “broken.” It just means your baby is reacting to a very busy world, which is why many parents notice changes in their little ones sleep.
How to manage your baby’s sleep during the festive season
The goal isn’t to get everything right, but keeping your routine as normal as possible will really help.
Here are some practical, realistic ways to help baby sleep survive Christmas:
Keep bedtime routine steps the same
For many families, keeping the steps of bedtime the same, even if the actual time shifts, is enough to help a tired baby settle. The order, the cues, the tone… those familiar signals go a long way.
Choose your non-negotiables
Some parents like to pick one or two “non-negotiables” to keep themselves sane. It might be protecting the first nap, avoiding very late naps where possible, or loosely aiming for your usual bedtime window.
Let naps be where they need to be
Pram naps, carrier naps, car naps - it’s all fine. You haven’t “ruined” anything. For a few days, offering sleep will matter more than where it happens.
Add a longer wind-down after busy days
After a big festive day, your child may need extra help to switch off. A calm bath, dim lights, a simple story will all help them to calm down and settle.
A little planning goes a long way
If you’re travelling or staying with family, think ahead about where naps might happen, rough timings, and anything you need to recreate a cosy sleep space. Having familiar blankets or sleeping bags will give comfort. If you’re driving home late? Pop them into pyjamas before you leave. This will make the transfer to bed much smoother.
Create breathing room in your schedule
It’s absolutely okay to say no. A quieter day in the middle of the chaos can do wonders for everyone’s mood and tiredness.
Gently minimise sugar and screens before bed
A little is fine, it is Christmas after all. Try to avoid the stimulation before bedtime, to help keep bedtime calmer and winding down easier.
Let comments wash over you
Christmas has a way of activating every well-meaning sleep expert. You know the ones - “Put them down awake,” “Mine slept through by now”. You know your baby best, so a smile, nod and carry on can save your sanity.
The post-Christmas sleep reset: Finding your rhythm again
The tree’s still up, there’s wrapping paper under the sofa, everyone’s eaten too many chocolates and your baby’s sleep is… festive. Naps are chaotic, bedtime takes forever, wake-ups feel random, and the routine you had in November feels like a distant memory.
If that’s where you are, breathe.
Christmas sleep is messy for almost everyone.
A simple, gentle post-Christmas sleep reset is usually all it takes.
Why a reset helps
Babies and toddlers thrive on predictability. After a week or two of exciting chaos, coming back to familiar rhythms helps them feel safe again.
The gentle post-Christmas sleep reset (Simple + Effective)
Here’s how to guide things back into place, calmly and without pressure:
Re-anchor bedtime
Bring bedtime back towards its usual time. If it has shifted significantly and you’re being met with resistance, move it earlier in steps (15–30 minutes).
Bring back your normal bedtime routine
Use the same steps, in the same order as before Christmas. After a week or two of noise and excitement, these cues will bring back some predictability.
Gently return to your usual settling approach
If Christmas meant more rocking, feeding to sleep or lying next to them, that’s okay. Just gradually guide things back towards where you were at and what you normally do.
Bring naps back to predictable-ish windows
Offer naps at their usual times where possible. If they’ve been short or skipped, don’t panic, consistency will help them settle.
Reduce stimulation
Keep days simple and calm. Fewer plans, less screen time, lots of connection and slow play. Give them time to reset. Getting out in the fresh air and daylight in the morning will also help reset their body’s natural rhythm.
Be patient
Most families see things improve within 3-5 days. Some take a little longer after travel or illness, but gentle consistency brings everything back.
When to reach out
If sleep still feels tough after 1-2 weeks, long bedtimes, frequent wakes, early mornings, it may be that a new habit or timing pattern has settled in over Christmas. This is incredibly common, and a couple of small tweaks can make a big difference.
If you'd like some personalised guidance to help things settle more smoothly, you can book a free call to talk through what’s happening and what will help.
A final word
Christmas is about making memories, not chasing perfect sleep.
Short-term disruption doesn’t undo long-term progress. With a little planning and a gentle reset, sleep can get back on track, calmly and without pressure.
FAQs about baby sleep at Christmas
Why does my baby’s sleep get worse at Christmas?
Because Christmas brings travel, overstimulation, disrupted routines, extra people and often developmental leaps. It’s normal for sleep to wobble temporarily.
How long does it take to get my baby’s sleep back on track?
Most babies settle within 3–5 days once routines return to normal.
Will flexible naps over Christmas ruin our progress?
No. Short-term disruption doesn’t undo long-term habits. A simple post-Christmas reset brings things back quickly.