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What’s scarier than ghosts or other creepy things in the night? Your little one’s sleep schedule being disrupted.
As Halloween approaches, parents prepare their little ones for a night of fun, costumes, and, of course, trick-or-treating. While it's an exciting time, it can also be a bit challenging when you have a baby who naps in the afternoon or a toddler who goes to bed early. How do you enjoy and participate in Halloween? Let's explore some tricks and treats for a spooktacular night.
"I'm not doing trick-or-treat, but I'm worried my baby will wake with the door knocking..."
Sound machine
If you live in a neighbourhood where the door is knocking every few seconds, along with the sounds of little children full of excitement to receive treats, place a sound machine closest to where the sound will be coming from the most or invest in a second one. Adjust the volume during peak knocking time to drown out the noise effectively.
Use a sign
If you don't want any knocking during their sleep time, consider putting up a sign indicating the knocking hours. For example, "Knocking hours between 5-7 pm" or "Sorry kiddos, no treats this year, please no knocking." Keep it simple with a large font for all ages to understand.
"We want to participate in trick-or-treating and walk around the neighbourhood..."
Start the day strong
Try to fit in a good nap during the day, ensuring your baby has had some sleep and allowing flexibility in their routine. It's okay to have their wake window a little wider to allow for more time to trick-or-treat.
Shift bedtime
If your baby's nap has been skipped or cut short, consider bringing bedtime forward to make up for the lost sleep. Bedtime can be as early as 6:30pm, or even 6pm if needed.
On the flip side, if bedtime will go beyond their usual time because you're out and about, knocking on doors and enjoying Halloween, it's okay for them to go to bed late on this occasion. However, I'd advise starting the next morning at their usual time to get their schedule back on track. This one-time bedtime adjustment won't disrupt their routine as long as you return to their regular schedule the following day.
Adjust routine
You may need to change the time you start in the morning to align with trick-or-treating plans. If it interferes with trick-or-treat time, wake your baby earlier in the morning, as this shifts naps earlier. The next day, try to reinforce the old wake time.
Go earlier
If bedtime was too close to trick-or-treating time, it might be best to go trick-or-treating earlier to ensure you get all the candies and chocolates without the Halloween rush hour.
Lower expectations
Understand that your baby might not have a full nap, might miss out on an entire nap, or have a later bedtime. Putting pressure on yourself does nobody any good.
Nap on-the-go
If your baby is accompanying you in the pram while older kids are trick-or-treating, encourage a nap-on-the-go and bring their essentials, such as their comforter, sleeping bag and a portable sound machine or you can play the sound on your phone.
Sleep was a struggle before Halloween
I have the perfect tools and resources to help you! I have guides and optional plans that can give you that one-on-one support you need to help achieve 10-12 hour nights and put an end to all or most sleep struggles. When your little one has a strong sleep foundation, occasions such as Halloween are much easier to navigate.
Written by Alexandra Selekos I'm the founder of Babee Dreams, a certified sleep consultant and a mum of three. My approach is based on studies, training through The Sleep Consulting Academy, successful outcomes experienced by those who have used my methods and the instincts of a mother. My approach will help your baby achieve their best sleep, whilst always feeling reassured, loved and never neglected.