Baby Talk - 12/5/19

Many families have relatives who live a distance away and want to share the holidays with them. A few tips on getting baby to sleep away from home may make for a more pleasant visit.

• Maintain baby’s bedtime routine – Be consistent with baby’s bedtime routine even when you are away from home. If your baby has an established routine – rubbing the back, singing a lullaby, playing a favorite playlist, reading a book, using a nightlight – continue that regiment while traveling. This provides baby with something familiar and signals that it is time to sleep.

• Pay attention to time zones – Changes in time zones can be crazy for adults; so too for babies. As best as possible, try to put baby down for naps and the night on your home time zone schedule. For example, if baby usually goes to bed at 8pm and you travel to a time zone that is one hour ahead, put baby down at 9pm. It can be trickier if you travel to a time zone that is behind your time zone. For example, if the time zone to which you travel is two hours behind yours, putting baby down at 6pm is not feasible. Try to split the difference and put baby down at 7pm.

• Manage your expectations – Try and stick to your baby’s sleeping schedule, however, without sacrificing fun on your trip. If you can plan for a solid morning nap, then baby faces the rest of the day well rested. Future daytime naps can then take place in a car seat, the stroller, or grandma’s arms.

• Transition back quickly – Once you return home, move baby back to the normal sleep schedule as quickly as possible. This may take a few days, but be consistent to avoid feeling the effects of your travels for a week or two.

What suggestions do you have for baby’s sleep while traveling? Please, share.