Babies and Fireworks

Holidays can be stressful as a parent, especially holidays celebrated with fireworks! Parents ask me, will my baby sleep through the fireworks? Can I bring my baby to see a fireworks show? Let me share with you how you can set your baby up for success when it comes to sleep and fireworks.

It’s very possible your baby will sleep right through those loud firework booms if you’re at home. But here are some tips to help set your baby up for successful sleep during fireworks:

Aim for deep sleep during the fireworks.

It’s helpful to have your baby be asleep for at least 40 minutes before the fireworks start to increase the chances of them being in a deeper sleep when the noise begins.

Maintain consistency around bedtime.

Continue to use your baby’s usual bedtime routine, keep their bedtime at its regular hour, and watch their wake windows to avoid overtiredness.

Mask the noise of the fireworks.

Turn up your baby’s sound machine. Aim for the same volume as a shower running while standing in a bathroom. You can always turn the volume down after the fireworks end if you want.

Also consider adding another sound machine outside their room or in the hallway. This can help block additional noise.

Offer your baby comfort if needed.

If your baby does wake, offer comfort and assistance to help your baby fall back to sleep – one night of extra help is not going to ruin anything!

This really depends on your baby. You know your baby best, but here are some questions to ask yourself:

• Does your baby startle easily?

• Does your baby get upset by loud/unpredictable noises?

• Is your baby sensitive to overtiredness (e.g. quick to become fussy, experiences early morning wakings)?

If you answer yes to one or more of these questions, you’ll need to determine whether your baby is really ready to see the fireworks. It’s okay if they’re not! We always want to honor what our babies can handle. If you decide taking your baby to see fireworks isn’t something you want to do, don’t forget you can always show them a video of fireworks from the comfort of your home.

If you decide to take your baby to the fireworks show, you’ll want to prepare for any reaction your baby may have. The sounds, the crowds, and/or the lights may alarm your baby, so it’s best to have a backup plan in case your baby doesn’t handle the fireworks well. Consider:

Here are a few additional tips to help fireworks with your baby go a bit smoother: