Mamas & Papas-
We're back from our Australian roadtrip. DS, nearly two did wonderfully on the flights, meeting new family, on the road, experiencing new food, new animals and new places. Now that we are back home, we are desperate to get him reacclimated to NYC time. Any tips on how to help little ones overcome serious jetlag?
the time difference was roughly 16 hours apart.
He wants to sleep all day and party all night.
Our current strategy of waking him at his normal time, 7am, not letting him nap more than 2 hours, and putting him to bed at 8pm doesn't seem to be working.
Thanks in advance for all your useful tips and suggestions.
F. B.
A couple of hard nights, and our insistence on regular wake up and nap times got us in the right place. NOthing but time and patience to resolve this one. Next time we make a trip of this nature, little one will be a bit older and might be more aware of the need to sleep at night and rouse in the day.
Thanks for your tips and support,
F. B.
He needs time to adapt. Still wake him at 7 am. Let him nap his usual nap times. Be certain he gets plenty of fresh air and exercise and he should be fine sooner than later.
Yes! to what the 2 previous posters said.
It will take a week for his body to start to adapt and 2 weeks for everyone to fully recover (mentally as well as physically).
It is the direction you traveled. If you had gone to Europe he would have been miserable on the trip and fine when you got back. Time is the only thing that works.
As an adult, conscious of time, it took me a week to force my body to adapt. At least I got to enjoy the last half of my vacation. Oh, I go to Europe. The flight home was a non event. I got home, went to bed at my normal time and got up Monday and went to work like I had never left town.
What I am saying is our bodies are very good at gaining time but not so good at loosing it. Give him a week and he will be fine.
Melatonin may help: http://itsnotmental.blogspot.com/2009/01/sleep-timing-of-...
