Maintaining Your Baby's Sleep Schedule During the Longer Summer Days

Along with endless summer sunshine and ice cream dripping down sticky little hands, come disrupted sleep schedules and overtired, cranky kiddos. Who can blame them? Summer days are packed with lots of action and not too much discipline.

But that doesn’t mean you have to give up on any semblance of schedule until daylight savings comes to save you from the long daylight. While there’s no magical snooze button to get your kids to sleep when you want them to, there are some amazing ideas and baby gear to keep your baby’s sleep on track while still enjoying all the summer fun.

Babies thrive on routine. Summer might throw in some curveballs with all the extra activities, but try to keep your bedtime routine as consistent as possible. Bath, bottle, book, and bed — whatever your usual sequence, stick to it. This consistency helps signal to your baby that it’s time to wind down, even if they’ve just had the most exciting day ever.

Longer days mean more sunlight streaming through the windows, which can seriously mess with your baby’s sleep cues. Blackout window coverings can turn your nursery into a cozy cave, helping your baby understand that it’s time for some quality shut-eye, no matter how bright it is outside.

If you have a travel crib, this canopy easily attaches to provide room darkening while indoors, as well as UPF 50+ and bug protection while outdoors. Bonus: it also folds so compactly for easy transportation.

Between neighborhood kids playing outside and the general hustle and bustle of summer evenings, it can get noisy. A sound machine can be a lifesaver, drowning out distractions and creating a soothing environment for sleep.

The Crane 4-in-1 Sound Machine boasts three sleep options and also quadruples as a humidifier, an aroma tray for vapor pads/essential oils, and a color-changing nightlight.

The Fridababy 2-in-1 Portable Sound Machine  is very popular, too.This portable gadget offers a variety of sounds—from gentle shushing to heartbeats— and also doubles as a soft-glow night light.

Summer often means more outings, whether it’s a day at the park, a trip to the zoo, or visiting family. For those days when you can’t be home for naptime, arm yourself with smart gear to ensure your little one gets their very necessary, mid-day recharge. 

For in-house visits, a travel crib is very helpful. This UPPAbaby Travel Crib is perfect for summer adventures. It’s easy to set up, has a comfy mattress, and folds up small enough to fit in your trunk.

If you’ll be outdoors, bring along a lightweight stroller that reclines to provide a comfortable position ideal for helping your baby fall asleep.

Summer days (and nights) can be hot, which can make it hard for your baby to sleep soundly. Choose lightweight, breathable sleepwear to keep your baby comfortable. Ditch the blanket and opt for a breathable, cotton sleepsack. A sleepsack will provide a safe, cozy embrace without causing your baby to break a sweat.

Check out this Ely’s&Co option - it’s made of 100% knit cotton and comes in adorable prints as well.

For outdoor naps, use a cotton swaddle as a sun-protector to ensure your sleeping beauty doesn’t overheat and has an easy time falling asleep.

With the sun setting later, you might find that your baby’s bedtime needs a slight adjustment. If they’re staying up a bit later, consider shifting their nap schedule to ensure they’re not overtired by bedtime. 

Just be mindful of not pushing naps too late in the day, which can backfire and make it harder for them to fall asleep at night.

Summer days are perfect for outdoor play, which can help tire your baby out (yay!). Just make sure to have some quiet time before bed to help them wind down. 

The Snuggle Me Infant Lounger is perfect for calming and comforting your baby. Caution: It’s not intended or safe for sleep, but is great for relaxing. Reading a book, gentle rocking, or a calming bath can help transition from playtime to bedtime. Skip Hop has a soother with 8 melodies to ease your baby into lala land.

When it comes to family dynamics, we know a well-rested baby is a happy baby—and a happy baby means a happy mom. So go ahead and enjoy those summer days by implementing these keep-the-baby’s-sleep-on-track tips from A-Zzzzz:)