RE-AIR Episode 11: Navigating Holiday Sleep Challenges: Tips for Parents
Mon Dec 15 2025
Holidays can be a time of joy, family, and fun—but they can also throw a wrench into your child’s sleep routine. Whether it’s late-night celebrations, travel to visit relatives, or adjusting to time zone changes, holiday sleep disruptions are a challenge for many parents. But don’t worry—we’ve got you covered.
In this episode of The Sleep Edit, we cover practical strategies for navigating holiday sleep challenges for children of all ages. From tips for maintaining flexibility while traveling, to handling sugar-fueled energy spikes and keeping routines intact, this conversation is packed with actionable advice to help your family enjoy the season while staying (relatively) well-rested. They’ll even share some pro tips, like the ultimate New Year’s Eve bedtime trick you won’t want to miss.
Remember: holiday sleep doesn’t have to be perfect—it just has to work for you and your family. So, give yourself some grace, enjoy the cookies, and focus on the quality of your time together.
Links
Dr. Canapari's guide to Vacation "Sleep"
Canapari's guide "Holiday Travel Sleep Guide: Real Parents, Real Questions, Real Solutions"
Arielle's guide: "How to enjoy your holidays and protect your child's sleep"
Studies on sugar consumption and sleep
Study of 287 children ages 8-12 showing no association between sugar and sleep or behavioral change
Study of 2600 children aged 6-12 showing that more sugar consumption was associated with decreased sleep duration
Metanalysis of studies of young children 0-5 showing worse diet and higher sugar intake were associated with lower sleep quality
Timestamps
00:00 Introduction and Disclaimer
01:13 Navigating Holiday Sleep Challenges
03:18 Travel Tips for Parents
06:04 Managing Sleep in Different Environments
13:30 Handling Naps and Bedtime During Holidays
22:19 Dealing with Food and Sugar
28:50 Final Tips and Holiday Wishes
30:53 Conclusion and Resources
Connect with Us! Send us an email about questions, feedback, or ideas for future topics.
More
Holidays can be a time of joy, family, and fun—but they can also throw a wrench into your child’s sleep routine. Whether it’s late-night celebrations, travel to visit relatives, or adjusting to time zone changes, holiday sleep disruptions are a challenge for many parents. But don’t worry—we’ve got you covered. In this episode of The Sleep Edit, we cover practical strategies for navigating holiday sleep challenges for children of all ages. From tips for maintaining flexibility while traveling, to handling sugar-fueled energy spikes and keeping routines intact, this conversation is packed with actionable advice to help your family enjoy the season while staying (relatively) well-rested. They’ll even share some pro tips, like the ultimate New Year’s Eve bedtime trick you won’t want to miss. Remember: holiday sleep doesn’t have to be perfect—it just has to work for you and your family. So, give yourself some grace, enjoy the cookies, and focus on the quality of your time together. Links Dr. Canapari's guide to Vacation "Sleep" Canapari's guide "Holiday Travel Sleep Guide: Real Parents, Real Questions, Real Solutions" Arielle's guide: "How to enjoy your holidays and protect your child's sleep" Studies on sugar consumption and sleep Study of 287 children ages 8-12 showing no association between sugar and sleep or behavioral change Study of 2600 children aged 6-12 showing that more sugar consumption was associated with decreased sleep duration Metanalysis of studies of young children 0-5 showing worse diet and higher sugar intake were associated with lower sleep quality Timestamps 00:00 Introduction and Disclaimer 01:13 Navigating Holiday Sleep Challenges 03:18 Travel Tips for Parents 06:04 Managing Sleep in Different Environments 13:30 Handling Naps and Bedtime During Holidays 22:19 Dealing with Food and Sugar 28:50 Final Tips and Holiday Wishes 30:53 Conclusion and Resources Connect with Us! Send us an email about questions, feedback, or ideas for future topics.