We’re going on holiday soon, and honestly… I’ve never timed it worse. Because right now, Roman is in full-on sleep refusal mode. So before I show you the highlights… here’s the reality first.
This Week Broke Me
Wow… this last week?
We’ve gone from tonsillitis… to an ear infection… to teething… and now we’ve entered the full-blown tantrum + sleep resistance era.
Naps? Bedtime? This baby? Genuinely awake 24/7.
And I don’t mean “a bit unsettled.” I mean fighting sleep like he’s possessed.
You think: this is it… tonight’s the night.
Chaos.
With a big family holiday coming up, this timing couldn’t be worse… or more real. Because this is exactly what travelling with a baby actually looks like sometimes. So stick around if you want to know how it pans out!!
The Toddler Sleep Regression
I keep reminding myself sleep regression in toddlers is actually a sign of development. Doesn’t make it easier. But it helps to know I’m not doing anything wrong.
Common triggers include:
- Illness (Roman had tonsillitis + ear infection back to back – both notorious sleep disruptors)
- Teething (molars especially – they’re brutal)
- Developmental leaps language, independence, emotional awareness all exploding at once
- Routine disruption even small changes can unsettle toddler sleep
- Anticipation of change yes, they can sense it. Holidays, new environments, visitors. They just know.
The 18 month and 2 year regressions are particularly intense because toddlers are developing big emotions with zero emotional regulation tools. They genuinely don’t know what to do with how they feel.
Neither do I, to be honest.
Toddler Tantrums at Bedtime Are Next Level
I always thought toddler tantrums would just be public. Supermarket meltdowns over snacks.
Not at 9pm. In the dark. Over absolutely nothing.
But here we are.
Tiny human. Massive emotions. No way to explain what’s wrong except screaming like the world is ending.
This week has been something else:
- Refusing naps
- Fighting bedtime
- Wants to be held
- Also doesn’t want to be held
Just… furious.
At life. At sleep. At me.
What I’ve Actually Tried That Helped (a Little):
1. Earlier bedtime, not later. When toddlers are overtired they produce cortisol which makes it harder to fall asleep. Counter-intuitive but moving bedtime 30 minutes earlier genuinely helped us on two nights this week.
2. Cutting the pre-bed stimulation. No screens for an hour before bed. Boring lighting. Quiet voices.
3. The “one more” method. Instead of fighting the requests – one more book, one more milk – I started offering them first, proactively. Somehow this removed the power struggle.
4. Dropping expectations for naps. Some days the nap just isn’t happening. Forcing it creates more stress for both of us. I focused on an even earlier bedtime instead.
Some nights nothing works and you just survive until morning – ish.
What’s Actually Helping Me Cope
I won’t lie – online shopping has been getting me through.
Mainly for Roman which is just stupid really because he absolutely does not care for a new pair of Nikes right now. And my Amex is screaming at me.
But a little parcel a day keeps the breakdown away. Mine not romans.
One Thing That Actually Helped Me Reset
In the middle of all this, I did something radical.
I left the house. Alone. Just phone and keys.
I booked a head spa at my local salon.
Hair washed properly. Head massage. Shoulder massage. Silence.
No interruptions. No multitasking. No tiny human needing me every second.
If you have a baby or toddler – book one.
There is something genuinely therapeutic about someone brushing your hair for an hour under running water while you just exist as a person. Take my money.
Preparing for a Holiday With Zero Sleep
Because timing is everything – we’re going away soon.
Family holiday. Everyone excited.
Roman? The only baby.
So no pressure then.
I’m excited… but also fully aware we’re taking this current chaos on tour:
- New environment
- Different sleep setup
- Missed naps
- Overstimulation
Perfect conditions for bedtime drama. Really excited for the plane journey too!
This will be romans last flight as a lap infant, and I’m so ready for him to have his own seat tbh – but I feel like my baby is officially grown up!
So here’s the plan:
If naps happen – great.
If bedtime works – miracles exist.
If not? We roll with it.
That’s all you can do. I’ll keep a croissant in my bag for emergency meltdowns – that’s my top tip for you this week.
One for the Hard Nights
This stage is intense.
The kind of tired that sits in your bones. The kind that makes bedtime feel like a battle before it’s even started.
But it won’t last forever.
They’re not giving you a hard time.
They’re having a hard time.
So am I.
But at least I have Selfridges to ease my pain.
Next Stop: Holiday Mode.
Pray for us.
I’ll be sharing exactly how it goes soon. Stick around if you want the real version of travelling with a toddler!
If you’re navigating toddler sleep regression, travel with little ones, or just the chaos of mum life – join my email list below. I share honest tips, travel hacks, and awesome resources that help! ✨
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