How to Get Your Baby to Nap on the Go (Tips From a Mom of Two)

One of the questions I get asked most often whenever I put up an Instagram question box about traveling with babies is: How do you get your baby to nap on the go?

And I get it. When you're planning a vacation with a baby, one of the biggest questions is what you're supposed to do about naps. Do you have to go back to the hotel room every few hours? What if your baby is used to sleeping in a dark room with a sound machine? And what happens when your baby just refuses to sleep?

I've traveled quite a bit with both of my kids, and I've been lucky that they've generally been great at sleeping on the go. But I've also learned that a little preparation, paying attention to wake windows, and being flexible can make traveling with a baby so much easier.

My biggest piece of advice? I try to make naps work around our vacation rather than planning our entire vacation around naps.

Here are the things that have worked for us.

Practice Napping on the Go Before Your Trip

If you're planning a vacation and your baby has only ever napped in their crib, I would absolutely recommend practicing naps on the go before you leave.

Both of my kids have always been pretty good at falling asleep with movement. They've napped in their Doona during travel, and I've found that the motion seems to help them settle down.

Of course, every baby is different. Some babies can fall asleep just about anywhere, while others are much more particular about their sleep environment.

If your baby isn't used to stroller naps, try taking a walk around their usual nap time before your trip. You can practice winding down in the stroller and getting them comfortable with the environment.

One important thing to keep in mind is safe sleep. Car seats, including the Doona, aren't recommended as routine sleep spaces outside the car, and strollers aren't substitutes for a firm, flat infant sleep surface. If your baby falls asleep in a sitting device, the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends moving them to a firm, flat sleep surface as soon as it's safe and practical.

Follow Your Baby's Wake Windows

This is probably the biggest thing that has helped me when traveling with babies.

Rather than trying to force a nap at a specific time, I pay attention to how long my baby has been awake.

For example, if I know my baby typically stays awake for about an hour and a half, I'll start thinking about winding things down as we approach that window.

That might mean finding a quieter place, getting the stroller ready, or heading back to the hotel if that's our plan for the day.

I think the biggest mistake you can make is trying to force a nap when your baby just isn't tired. That's when it becomes frustrating for everyone.

Instead, I try to work with their natural schedule as much as possible, even if the exact timing looks a little different from our routine at home.

Bring Familiar Sleep Cues From Home

One thing I always bring when traveling is our Hatch sound machine.

I love the Hatch because of the red light feature, especially in hotel rooms. It's what my kids are used to at home, and it means that if my husband or I need to get up to use the bathroom in the middle of the night, we can see where we're going without turning on bright overhead lights.

I also bring the Hatch Go, which is a much smaller, portable sound machine.

Sometimes I'll use it on an airplane or when we're out with the stroller if I think a little white noise would help. It's convenient because it doesn't take up much room in your bag.

That being said, you definitely don't need to bring a full-size sound machine on vacation. If you're trying to pack light, the Hatch Go or even a white noise app on your phone can work.

The important thing is recreating some of the familiar cues your baby associates with sleep. Just keep sound machines at a low volume and away from your baby's ears.

Be Strategic About Your Hotel Room

If your baby is used to sleeping in a dark room with blackout curtains, I think a SlumberPod can be a really helpful travel product.

It's designed to create a darker sleep environment around a compatible travel crib, which can be especially helpful when you're all sharing one hotel room. Always follow the product's instructions and check compatibility with your travel crib.

But here's another tip I think makes a huge difference: If you're traveling somewhere with nice weather, try booking a hotel room with a balcony or outdoor patio.

That way, when your baby is sleeping in the room, you and your partner can sit outside, have a coffee, read, or just enjoy some downtime without feeling like you're trapped in a dark hotel room.

Of course, you still need to be able to supervise and respond to your baby, and any outdoor space should be safe and directly accessible. But having somewhere separate to relax can make a hotel nap feel much less restrictive.

Personally, I rarely go back to the hotel specifically for crib naps when we're traveling. We're usually out exploring during the day. But if your baby sleeps better in a crib, I think it's worth planning your accommodations around that.

How I Handle Naps on Airplanes

I've also been pretty lucky that both of my kids have generally done well sleeping on airplanes.

My approach is similar to how I handle naps during the rest of our trip: I don't try to force it if they're not tired.

If I know it's getting close to their usual nap time, I'll start trying to create a calmer environment.

For a baby, that might mean offering a bottle if it's time for a feeding, holding them comfortably, or gently rubbing their back. Sometimes I'll use the Hatch Go for white noise if I think it will help.

With a toddler, it's honestly a little harder. I'll sometimes let my son watch a show to help him settle down, bring a small blanket he's familiar with, and encourage him to get comfortable.

But I've learned that trying to make a child sleep when they're not ready usually just makes everyone frustrated.

If you're flying with a baby for the first time, I also have a free Flying With a Baby Guide with more tips on what to pack, feeding on the plane, and making the airport experience easier.

What If Your Baby Won't Nap While Traveling?

Sometimes naps just don't go according to plan.

Maybe your baby is too distracted by everything going on around them. Maybe you're in the middle of an activity. Or maybe they're just not interested in sleeping.

My approach is pretty simple: It is what it is, and I try again later.

I don't want to spend our entire vacation stressed out about whether my baby slept for exactly the right amount of time.

Of course, I pay attention to how they're doing. If they're getting overtired or especially fussy, I'll adjust our plans and give them another opportunity to rest. Sometimes that might mean a quieter afternoon or an earlier bedtime.

But I think it's important to remember that traveling is different from being at home, and your baby's schedule might look a little different too.

You can do your best to maintain their routine without expecting every nap to be perfect.

My Favorite Products for Traveling With a Baby

There are a few products I personally find helpful when it comes to managing sleep while traveling.

Hatch Sound Machine: I bring our Hatch when we're staying in a hotel because I love having the familiar white noise and red light for nighttime.

Hatch Go: This is a great smaller option if you don't want to pack a full-size sound machine. I sometimes use it on airplanes or while we're out during the day.

SlumberPod: If your baby is used to a dark room, this can be a helpful option for creating a darker sleep environment around a compatible travel crib.

Doona: We've used the Doona with both of our kids, and I love how convenient it is for getting around while traveling. It's a car seat and stroller in one, although I wouldn't use it as a planned sleep space outside the car.

You can also read my Best Baby Travel Gear article for more of the products I've personally used when traveling with little ones.

Frequently Asked Questions About Baby Naps While Traveling

How do I get my baby to nap in a stroller?

I would start practicing before your trip. Try going for a walk around your baby's usual nap time and giving them a chance to settle in a familiar stroller environment. Some babies respond well to movement, while others may need a quieter setting. For infants, a stroller isn't a replacement for a safe, flat sleep space, so plan for that when your baby needs to sleep.

Should I go back to the hotel for my baby's naps?

Not necessarily. I rarely return to the hotel specifically for naps because we're usually out exploring during the day. But every baby is different, and some babies really do sleep better in a crib. If that's your baby, there's nothing wrong with building a hotel break into your day.

How do I get my baby to sleep on an airplane?

I try to time my efforts around when my baby would naturally be ready for sleep. Offering a bottle at their usual feeding time, gently rubbing their back, holding them comfortably, or using quiet white noise can sometimes help. But I wouldn't force it if your baby isn't tired.

Should I bring a sound machine when traveling with a baby?

If your baby is used to sleeping with white noise, I think bringing a portable sound machine is worth considering. I personally travel with the Hatch Go and sometimes bring our larger Hatch for the hotel because I love the red light feature. You can also use a white noise app on your phone if you prefer to pack light.

What if my baby skips a nap on vacation?

I wouldn't panic over one missed nap. I usually try again later and adjust our plans based on how my baby is doing. If they're particularly tired, that might mean a quieter afternoon or an earlier bedtime. One imperfect nap doesn't have to ruin your entire day.

Final Thoughts on Getting Your Baby to Nap on the Go

Traveling with a baby definitely requires more planning than traveling without kids, but I don't think you need to spend your entire vacation working around a nap schedule.

For us, the biggest things have been getting comfortable with being on the go, paying attention to wake windows, bringing a few familiar sleep cues from home, and staying flexible when things don't go exactly according to plan.

Some babies are naturally better at sleeping on the go than others, and that's okay. You may need to experiment a little to figure out what works for your family.

And if a nap doesn't happen? You can always adjust your plans and try again.

Traveling with kids isn't always predictable, but that doesn't mean you can't enjoy it.

Looking for more tips? Check out my Flying With a Baby article, Best Baby Travel Gear recommendations, and free Flying With a Baby Guide.

Disclosure: This article may contain affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission if you make a purchase through my links, at no additional cost to you. I only recommend products I personally use or genuinely believe are helpful.