Does Respecting Sleep Mean Being Stuck at Home?
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I hear it all the time from parents:
“I feel like I’m under house arrest!”
You’ve committed to improving your baby’s sleep, but now you’re wondering… “Is this my life now? Stuck at home forever, planning everything around naps?”
Take a deep breath, lovely — I promise you, it doesn’t have to be that way.
Having respect for your baby’s need for sleep doesn’t mean you’re chained to the house. As a mum of three, I totally get it — sometimes you just need to get out. And let’s be real… the world doesn’t stop for nap time. Appointments pop up, life happens, and there isn’t always a perfect dark room with white noise waiting for your baby’s snooze.
That’s where my golden rule comes in:
The 80:20 approach to naps.
Aim for 80% of naps to be in the right place at the right time. The other 20%? Life happens. Let’s make it work without chaos.
Here are my top tips for surviving (and even thriving!) when naps need to be a little more flexible:
1. Split Naps
Got a quick appointment or errand? Try splitting a nap in two.
Let your little one grab a short nap in the car, and then finish it off when you’re back home. Just be sure to keep the second nap short to stay on track with your nap schedule.
2. On-the-Go Naps
Heading to playgroup? Traveling to Nana’s?
Plan your trip around nap time so bub can snooze in the car. Some families even hit the road at 4 or 5am for long trips — it’s early, but peaceful when everyone’s asleep!
3. Buggy Naps
Teach your baby to nap in the buggy from early on.
A pram can be the perfect portable nap zone — especially with a sunshade or snooze cover. Bonus: a long walk = nap for baby + fresh air + gentle exercise for you!
4. Porta Cot Naps
Make your portacot your best friend.
Practice naps in it at home and use it at friends’ places or the grandparents’. Add a snooze shade or blackout canopy, and it becomes a cozy little sleep sanctuary on the go. It’s a lifesaver during holidays or dinners out.
5. Carrier Naps (Front Pack or Backpack)
Once your baby’s used to it, they can have mini naps in the carrier while you’re out and about.
Some gentle jiggling or bum pats often do the trick. They might not be long naps, but they count! (I love Ergo baby carriers for comfort + support.)
The Magic of the 80:20 Rule
By making sure most naps (around 80%) are solid and predictable, your baby becomes more adaptable when life needs a little flexibility.
So whether you’re off to a wedding, running errands, or introducing your toddler to snow for the first time, you’ll feel confident knowing your baby can still nap somewhere — and you won’t all end up a crying mess on the supermarket floor. 😉
You're doing an amazing job, and finding this balance is just part of the journey. So go ahead — respect sleep and live your life.
You’ve got this 💛
