Should You Start a Sleep Plan Before the Holidays?

(Spoiler: You absolutely can - and it will make the whole season easier!)

Right now you’re exhausted… the holidays are coming… and you’re trying to decide whether to just survive the next few weeks or finally make a change. And the big question pops up:

“Should I start a sleep plan now, or just wait until January?”

Let’s break it all down.

The Holiday Sleep Spiral (and Why It Happens)

The holiday season is wonderful… and also overstimulating. Travel, missed naps, late dinners, family events, excitement, all of it adds up fast.

For most babies, that means:

• short naps

• early mornings

• bedtime battles

• more overnight wakes

• a constantly overtired little one

So when moms ask if they should “wait”, what they’re really saying is:

“I’m scared I’ll make things worse”

The good news? Starting now can actually prevent the overtired spiral that usually hits in late December.

Myth: “I need a calm, distraction-free few weeks to start”

If you’ve been looking for “the perfect two calm weeks”…this might actually be as calm as December gets 😅 But don't worry. You don’t need perfection to see progress. You just need a little more consistency than you have right now. Sleep improves with rhythm, predictability, and small repeatable steps, not a flawless schedule.

Even in the middle of holiday chaos, you can start with simple foundations:

• anchoring your morning wake-up time

• protecting one nap each day

• keeping bedtime predictable

• using a familiar, calming wind-down routine

• creating a dark, cozy sleep space

These tiny shifts create stability (even when your calendar definitely doesn’t).

Why Starting Now Helps (Not Hurts)

1️⃣ You’ll prevent overtiredness from snowballing

A well rested baby handles excitement, people, travel, and routine changes so much better.

Starting now gives your little one the calm, steady base they need heading into the holidays. Fewer meltdowns, smoother days, and a more flexible, content baby. It puts a solid foundation in place before the chaos hits.

2️⃣ You can go at your own pace

You don’t need to overhaul everything at once. Even small, steady changes start making a big difference. Beginning with the suggested schedule, protecting just one nap, using a consistent wind down routine, and keeping bedtime predictable builds healthy sleep pressure without adding stress.

3️⃣ You’ll enjoy the season more

When sleep is tough, everything feels heavier. Moms tell me all the time how much sleep impacts their patience, mood, and ability to enjoy family time. With smoother naps, calmer evenings, and longer stretches of night sleep, you’ll have more room to breathe and the energy to appreciate the moments that matter.

4️⃣ Travel won’t “ruin” progress

This is a huge worry, but babies don’t unlearn healthy sleep. Travel may disrupt things temporarily, but once you’re home, most babies settle back into their rhythm within 1–3 days. And when you already have a foundation, the reset is even quicker.

5️⃣ January becomes easier, not harder

Starting in December means you’re not beginning the new year from scratch. You already one step ahead with a rhythm, predictability, and a baby who isn’t running on empty.

So… should you start a sleep plan before the holidays?

If sleep is a struggle now…If your days feel unpredictable…If nights are draining every ounce of energy…

Starting now is absolutely worth it!

YOU deserve a holiday season that feels lighter.

Want to Get Started?

If you’re ready for a simple, realistic plan you can begin right away, Sleep Steps gives you everything you need, without waiting for spot on my private coaching waitlist.

Inside the course, you’ll learn how to support your baby through:

• predictable naps

• 10–12 hour nights

• a calm, by-the-clock daily rhythm

• what to adjust based on your baby

• travel, illness, regressions, and off days

• step-by-step settling strategies that make sense

• a full troubleshooting library for every “what now?” moment

No waitlists. No delays. No trying to squeeze in calls.

You can start today, move through the steps at your own pace, and begin feeling the shift within just 3 days. You don’t have to figure this out alone, you just have to take the first step.

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