Any sleep tips when traveling with an infant?

Question

My 4-month old is sleeping really well in her crib now. She's able to go down for naps by herself; at night, she usually nurses to sleep and I'm getting up once a night to nurse her. I'm a little concerned b/c I'll be traveling with her when she's 5-6 months, and I wonder how she'll sleep in unfamiliar environments ... especially if she's used to a crib and is then put to sleep in a playpen.

I have heard that it's a good idea to put her in a different environment for 1 nap/day now in order to get her accustomed to new places. I haven't tried it yet b/c she only recently started napping so well. -- Has anybody tried that technique with or without success?? Does anybody have any other tips or experiences with sleep and traveling?

In short, I just don't want her to "un-learn" her good habits when we travel. I'd love some advice from experienced moms!

Answer 1

That's always a tough one! I think that it's great to travel with baby - they get accustomed to it and it's stimulating and fun for both baby and parents!

I think that trying her out in different settings for her naps would be a good idea. Not every day, just once in a while.

Also I would recommend keeping her routine the same every day, including while you're traveling, as much as possible. My kids were always great sleepers, and I think it's because we had a naptime and nighttime ritual that we followed pretty much all of the time. I even scheduled my day around their typical naptimes and bedtimes - shopping or visiting or whatever - just to try to keep the time and procedure the same.

Sleeping rituals can involve a bath, putting on jammies, a story, a song, rocking, a favorite lovie (blanket or toy) - anything that is meaningful to you and her. It doesn't really matter what you do or in what order, just as long as it is something that works and is something that you think you can do every day. For example, not everyone wants to rock their baby to sleep every night - but if you like it and she likes it and it fits into your routine, then go for it!

I would imagine that a 4-month old baby who has established good sleeping habits should keep them even while traveling, as long as you make it easy for her to do so! Babies are much more adaptable than we often give them credit for.

Enjoy your little one!

Answer 2

take the car seat/stroller combo if at all possible. The stroller you can leave curbside and the car seat you can take on the plane. That way you have the car seat that you can put down by your feet or set on your lap. The vibration of the plane will help the baby sleep should you choose to keep the car seat on the floor. If they do not allow car seat on the floor, then check before hand to see if they have an extra seat in first class that you can use. (the seats are bigger) Take the enfamil formula packets with you for easy feeding. They mix quickly with water. There is water on the plane and the flight attendants will be more than accomidating to you. They want your baby to have a good flight too, so don't be afraid to ask for their help (especially when you have to go to the bathroom) Feed the baby during take off and during landing. this will help keep the baby from being fussy from the change in air pressure. If you have a super fussy baby, you may want to give them some liquid benadryl (only an amount recommended by a physician) to help the baby sleep for the first portion of the flight. The baby is young enough, you shouldnd't have any trouble. Don't stress ahead of time either. This is a lot easier than one thinks it might be, but you don't know that until you do it for the first time. Have a nice visit with your family.

Answer 3

Just dont stress it.

We travel cross country via car every couple months, so my son has always had to sleep some where new every so often. He's 9 months now.

I personally dont like to make everyone else in the house, or in the hotel, listen to a fussy baby, so I put him in bed with me until he's asleep, and he either finishes the night there, or I push the hotel love seat up against the bed and have him sleep there.

Beyond making other people suffer, just the stress of being some place new all day and on a new routine all day is enough to screw with a kid and make them cranky. Ive tried all different things and found that ANY sleep he gets, even if its regressing to sleeping with me, is better in the long run.

Granted we have about 2 nights once we're home of him crying himself back to sleep after waking, but its much better than an entire vacation of a fussy baby, or an over stimulated tot. Not worth it :)

So my advice is DONT make an issue out of it. Keep her on a good sleep schedule, do what it takes to get her to sleep on your trip, and then let her go right back into her normal routine when you get back.

Answer 4

We've been traveling with our son since he was a month old. We purchased one of those play-packs and would put him in that a few times a week for naps. When it was time for us to travel, we loaded the play-pack into the truck or would check it in as luggage. He was so use to sleeping in it that it didn't phase him in the least. He's now 16 months and still does quite well with it.

Answer 5

We just travelled for the first time with our baby to Hawaii. Approximately a 5 hour flight. The flight went surprisingly well. We were also concerned about his sleep patterns especially with the 3 hour time difference. Again he did surprisingly well. We brought 3 of his favorite stuffed animals and his favorite blanket. I think the familiar smells of his toys and blanket REALLY helped. We didn't shift his sleep time and he really didn't adjust to the time difference which made it much easier when we came back home. It was like we never left. Good luck!

Answer 6

Our daughter took her first trip at 2 weeks and did well. We, like most, bought a travel play pen with the changing table add on and had no problems. Were going to Disneyland at Christmas and plan on following her routine as close as we can. She'll be 4 months, and if it messes up her schedule, we'll just get back on it when we get home!!

Getting them used to travel at a young age helps for travel later on in life.

Answer 7

One quick trick... (and I know it goes against everything they say for putting baby to sleep) but I've got three kids, and it worked for all three of mine- and they're all alive and healthy today : ) ... Lay a pillow on the bottom of the playpen. You can even put a sheet over it and tuck it underneath to be sure it doesn't end up over her head. It gives the softer effect of a mattress. Your baby will sleep better. Also, act normal- babies can sense your emotions- and if you're worried about her sleeping, she'll be able to tell something's not right. At 5-6 months, they're still not completely aware of what's going on, so just try to keep her normal routine, and she'll be just fine. Good luck with your vacation, and your baby!

Answer 8

I have had the same concerns when spending the night away from home. Your child will probably adjust pretty good, by the time they have established a good sleep pattern, they just want to go to sleep, doesnt matter so much as to where. Think of it like this, once the eyes are shut, they dont know where they are anyway.......

Answer 9

Go ahead and give that idea a try - it can't hurt.

In my experience, travelling throws off babies and kids schedules alike...adults don't typically get a normal night's sleep in a strange bed, and it's no different for the little ones. :)

Answer 10

have her sleep in her play pen (the one youll be bringing with you on trips) for her naps, or a couple nights a week. I would start asap, to make it easier on her/him.

Good luck.