Getting Baby Back on Schedule After Vacation

Hi L. -

My 15 month also gets off his schedule when we go on vacation. It typically takes 3-4 days to get him back on schedule when you get home.

When my son wakes up before he usually does, I will go into his room and give him his sippy cup, then leave. He will feed himself and typically goes back to sleep. Can your son hold his own bottle? I wouldn't turn on the lights, I wouldn't speak, I wouldn't touch him. Just give him the bottle and leave.

I would also try to follow schedule as much as possible. He'll fall back into that familiar pattern before you know it.

First decide whether it is a growth spurt, teething, or other real cause. If not, then since you know he is capable of sleeping longer, he'll have to learn again. Leave him in his crib or wherever he sleeps. If it means crying himself back to sleep, then let him as long as you know he is okay. It's hard for some people to do, but it shouldn't take more than a few days for him to sleep right through again. Good sleep is very important and with that goal in mind you know you're doing the right thing.

With both of my boys (3 and 8 months) I have made it kind of a rule not to get the boys up before 6 am. I they woke up before them I let them go back to sleep or just play in their crib. Sometimes they would cry but never very long and they always went back to sleep. Was there a time change? Whenever my kids went off their schedule it would always take a couple of days to get them back on. It will happen just be patient. good luck
Chris V

When he wakes up, you could change his diaper and give him a bottle, and just put him back in his crib. When it is the normal time to wake up, get him up, and try to keep things as much on schedule as you can for the rest of the day. Don't let him sleep too close to bedtime, because he won't sleep as long at night. I always make sure my daughter has a bottle and some food within an hour of putting her to bed, also, because she sleeps better. Two or three days, and he'll be back on schedule. I've had to do this a few times with my daughter, and it has always worked. Good luck.