Ideas on Getting Back to Sleep Schedule After Holiday Travel

D.,

I have to agree with Susan...Christmas is so close, you'll be running yourself ragged trying to get him back on 'track' and then it will ALL shift back to being 'off track' again.

You might want to give yourself and your kiddo a break. I'm a co-sleeper with my two year old son, and it helps consdierably when we do travel. It's a lifestyle choice that isn't for everyone, but if you have such a short time before your next travel, I would just let it go until you are back and then tackle the issue then.

My really good friend, has a little girl and they started traveling a bit when she was just 1 1/2 old and they ended up co-sleeping during those trips away from home. Now, she's a part-time co-sleeper. If her daughter wants in her bed, it's okay with her and vice versa.

I know your little guy is younger, but given ALL the circumstances of his current stage of development (like Susan pointed out) and the impending travel, it might be better to let it ride. I think one thing I want to do is assure you that this doesn't mean he's going to sleep with you until he's driving his own car or off to college.

One thing I can suggest, is that I have some friends who have always book either adjoining rooms or suites. This way they can keep their little one in a seperate room while they are away, and they transition him into a travel crib the first few weeks before they are going to be gone. But, this is International travel and it's for weeks at a time. It's pricier, but if it means that much to you to have your little guy on his own again, it could be worth the investment.

I hope this helps a bit...

Good Luck.

That is the thing with trips and kids... they don't always get back to normal after returning. And while away, their sleep/nap routines are different and they get thrown off.

For us, for this reason, we didn't travel until my firstborn, my daughter, was about 2 years old. But I co-slept, while away and at home, so it was not anything "out of the ordinary" for her. Even while on our trip, I would go back to the hotel room at her usual "nap" times, and then at her regular bedtime... and just kept the consistency the same and the same "routine" as what we would do at home. So this helped.

When you go on trips, with a young baby/child... it is always beneficial to KEEP to the same schedule/routine as when at home. For us, we went according the the needs/schedule of our child... instead of making our girl put up with ours. IN THE LONG RUN... once you get home, it is a lot less painful and frustrating for you, and them.

Also, kids this age won't remember perfectly how it was before the trip... all they know is the comfort and what "recently" was. So this is what they NOW expect.

All I can think of, is he is having to "change" and transition, again, now that he is home. If he is in his own room... (in a crib?), then you can slowly just go back to the same routine you used to do... it will be about re-teaching him. And he is probably missing the closeness of co-sleeping with you both. So there is a "separation anxiety" involved too. It's a hard nut to crack... but, his "consistency" has been lost so to speak... and then at Christmas on that trip, it will "change" again.

I don't know that he will go back to his sleep routine, again, right now... it may take as long as the next trip... but then, he will have to change again.

You could, on your next trip, allow him to sleep in the same room as you...but on the floor, on a mattress or something. That way he is in his "own bed" so to speak... but still around you... and in the same room... this MIGHT make him feel more secure... and able to feel comfort.

You could even do this at home... to transition him back to his "own" bed. Both my kids do this... we are co-sleepers or we have a futon mattress on the floor in our room and the kids sleep there too.

And too, maybe he is also, going through other things at the same time... maybe teething, developmental changes, growth spurts where they get more hungry etc. Babies/kids often have MANY things on their plate at the same time. It is hardly just a "single" issue at one time...

The thing is, there is such a quick turnaround for him to adjust to- ie: just getting back from a trip, having to adjust to sleeping again at home, then going on another trip soon again. The jet lag etc. That's a lot for a baby.

Co-sleeping, if you are not against it, would be the "easiest" way to get him to sleep...

Not all kids/babies are able to just change and readjust to changes. If he is the type that likes "routine" and responds best to that ... then, any changes to that will throw him off. Each child is different. Some kids can adjust no problem and others can't. Just as adults.

It will take time... or, you could just co-sleep with him for now until your next trip... go on your Christmas trip... THEN when you come back from that trip, spend all the time you need to get him back on track at that time. Because, expecting him to get back on track now before your Christmas trip and then going on another trip right after that may be too much for him to handle right now. Too much pressure on him and you. And, it would just be futile. You can either go through it now, twice... or just once after you come back from your Christmas trip. Know what I mean?

For your son, he had to "change" when he got to your destination for Thanksgiving, then again when he got home from that trip, then he has to "change" again when he goes on the Christmas trip and that locale... then change "back to normal" AGAIN when he comes home from that trip. That is 4 times of readjustment for him, in a quick succession. Hmmm. Not easy for a baby. Quick turnaround for a little one. Allow him ALL the time he needs to "change" back into a regularity at home... in terms of sleeping and everything, once you get back from your Christmas trip.

All the best,
Susan

I just went thru this with my 15 month old after Thanksgiving. It took him a few nights to get back to his regular schedule. I did let him cry it out and after 2 nights of that he was pretty much back to his schedule. I have let him come into bed with me once or twice but once he falls back to sleep I put him back in his own bed. I have found that letting him calm himself down is the best for us both. Being a single mom has its challenges however giving my son the space to be a "big boy" seems to be working very well! I also found that when I was gone for the holiday I made sure to keep him on the same schedule even though it was a bit tough for me and the various things that my family did. That also seemed to make the transition of coming back home that much easier. Good luck!

Hi D.,

I wish I had an easy fix for you. We have found that it just takes time. Unfortunately this time of year, with back to back outings, this may take longer than usual. I would just suggest that you stick to his routine as much as you possibly can, at home and on the road. It's so tempting to be out and about and visiting and playing when on vacation, but in my experience we all live and die (or exhaust) by the sleep schedules. Good luck and take heart, this too shall pass.

P. (5yo boy, 2yo girl).

Hi D.,

We just went through this as well with our 6-month old. All the hustle and bustle of the holiday left her waking up several times a night from anywhere from about 10 to 20 minutes. Her waking episodes where not severe in that she would yell out and sound a little desperate at times, but then eventually fall back to sleep. We left her uninterrupted in her crib to self-sooth and with each night, there were fewer and shorter episodes so we felt like she was getting herself back on track.

Best of luck,

M. W