Sunday, May 9, 2010

Requests From Our Readers: Week 24

This week we are talking about how to get your baby to sleep when not at home. Check out what our reader said.....




"Okay, so this is going to be a major headache. Here's the facts:

1) The trip will be 10 days long.

2) My son will be 19 months old at the time of travel.

3) The trip will be in Japan (so expect super not-awesome jet-lag)

4) The son (described in item 1) DOES NOT fall asleep in the presence of adults. He HAS to be in his crib and he HAS to be alone...otherwise he'll just play.

5) Japanese, in general, don't use cribs, so none will be available to me.

WHAT DO I DO!?!?! How do I train my son to fall asleep without his crib? I've thought about switching him to a twin, or just put his crib mattress on the floor, but just the thought of that makes me shudder. No more peace! No more naps! Ah! Please help! I'm desperate!

P.S. The trip's happening in about a month, so I would appreciate feedback asap. :)"

So help her out! Give her some good tips on how to get her little one to sleep well in another place (let alone another country) and without his home comforts! What have you tried that's worked? Also - please address her specific concerns as best as you can.

Below are links two posts we've done in the past about traveling with kids. These might spark some ideas as well.

The Terminal Battle
Reader Request Week 5

Thanks for reading!!

Also - be sure to check out the post right below this one - about leaving kids overnight. We've all been there with axiety about leaving our little ones. PLEASE give some feedback on that post as well.

7 comments:

Jared and Delia said...

I might sound pessimistic but I would just expect it to be kind of hectic. I have slept in a hotel room bed with my 8 month old. It was not fun. My babies never sleep in bed with us with the exception of a FEW times when they were just days old. So they are not used to it at all. We were awake multiple times in the night and got spotty sleep. I can imagine that doing that after about 4 days though we might just get used to it and start sleeping better. When you get home it may be a large or small adjustment. You will be in a different place so when you get back to the normal routine your baby may recognize that and slip back into normal life. Maybe not...they may want to sleep with you all the time. Really, I don't think that can be predicted. So much of motherhood/parenthood is trial and error. Just stick to your guns, don't expect it to be easy, and everything will turn out alright.

I wish you luck and that you figure something out, whether beforehand or as you go.

Jared and Delia said...

Sorry...I didn't mean to sound so one-sided. Of course I am sure you could figure out a different arrangement other than co-sleeping. You could just have a little mattress for them while you are there. It might just be a different enough place that this temporary arrangement won't make them want to do the same thing at home. Or you could fork out the extra money so that you can bring a pack and play crib. I think it might be extra baggage costs anyway??

Again...good luck.

Tannie Datwyler said...

MOST airlines will let you bring a pack 'n play (or ANY baby item for that matter - carseat, stroller....) on the airline for FREE. So call your airline and check.

If you are open to it, then you can take a pack 'n play with you and that might help. I know you said he only sleeps in a crib, but you MIGHT be able to get him to adjust to the pack 'n play BEFORE you leave. Just put it up in his room and have him take a nap in it and then do it for all night. You might have to take down his other crib so he won't try to fuss and get over to it. That's just one idea...

GOOD LUCK!

Jessie said...

I agree with Tannie, try the pack and play before you leave, and give him a little time to adjust to it. If you don't own one, try to find one that you can borrow from a friend or something to save additional money. But also, I'm a little bit with Delia--expect crankiness, and just do the best you can to enjoy your trip. Vacations are a LOT more work as a parent with young children, but they're also such great opportunities to create memories. Good luck. :)

Megan said...

You might also check out delicousbaby.com. It's a website written by a mom about traveling with young kids (including her 1 year old). She has some great ideas on how to keep little people busy on long flights and even ideas for places that are kid friend at your destination.

Raylyn said...

We just went on a ten day trip to California and the hotels had roll away cribs. My daughter is the same as yours with sleeping habits, but she was able to fall asleep with me and my husband in the room because she was so worn out from all the fun:) So call your hotels and see what they have, if not I would suggest bringing a pack and play, because the first night we tried sleeping in the same bed and she didn't go to bed until midnight. Good Luck!

Raylyn said...

Sorry I'm a dork, I didn't read the part about Japan not having cribs:)