NWMR Babies and time difference?

Slb22

Hi there,

I am looking to see if anyone has any insight/advice to how babies handle time difference.  My H has to go to London for work (5 hour time difference from here).  He has to go twice in 2 weeks.  We are thinking of me and my LO going with him.  She will be 5 ½ months when we go.  There are about 100 things to consider for this trip, but right now my main concern is the time difference.  I would hate to go there and have her be completely miserable and messed up with the time difference.  And then come home and have her be miserable and messed up as she adjusts back.    Has anyone ever done this before and if so, how bad was it? 

 If we don’t go with him, he will come home for 2 days in between his 2 meetings and will be gone for almost 2 weeks total. 

Thanks!

rockychryslerb2010

The only major timezone changes we did with E was Hawaii.  6 hrs behind, so opposite of a trip to London.  He never really got on any schedule while we were there, but that was fine, we took him with us and he slept on the carrier, probably more late nights and earlier mornings, but not a huge deal.  We took a red-eye home, and he slept the entire flight, so no huge adjustment when we got back.

If I remember correctly, it was easier for my body to adjust going ahead than going back.  The trips I've taken to Europe, I do a red-eye flight, work the entire day and am able to catch up fairly quickly.  Coming back is always worse.  Not sure if that is a scientific fact, or just my experience with Europe / Asia traveling.

5.5 months is pretty easy to do something international. Not sure I would do it with a 2.5 yr old, but at that age, it shouldn't be a big deal.

Slb22

Thank you for the input!  Just a follow up question, when you say it didnt really effect the sleep, do you mean that they slept at their normal time in the new time zone?  Or they slept based on their home time?  I feel like what I just wrote made no sense so here's an example   If she goes to bed at 7:30pm at home, will she be likely to go to bed at 12:30 London time?

rockychryslerb2010

Slb22 said:

Thank you for the input!  Just a follow up question, when you say it didnt really effect the sleep, do you mean that they slept at their normal time in the new time zone?  Or they slept based on their home time?  I feel like what I just wrote made no sense so here's an example   If she goes to bed at 7:30pm at home, will she be likely to go to bed at 12:30 London time?

Maybe, but I would try to limit sleep leading up to 7:30pm London time, so she is more likely to go to sleep at that time.  A red-eye might be a good option - get baby to sleep on the flight, then you'll have all day to keep her awake, maybe a nap or two, then bedtime at a 'normal' time for London.  I wouldn't take a flight that lands at 6pm London time, then expect her to be ready to sleep for the night a few hours later.

It also depends on the child.  E is pretty laid back and flexible baby, always easy to travel with.  I know other babies don't handle travel well.

I think you'll probably be able to have a good time there, especially if you can find a red-eye so she can sleep the entire way there.  Then, try to stick to a schedule as much as possible, but I wouldn't sit in a hotel room and force her to nap if she isn't having it.  I would expect some adjustment when you get home especially if you're there for more than 5-7 days.

KayteeGee

We took DS from the US West Coast to Europe when he was 8 months and it was fabulous.  He really didn't have any troubles, but we aren't ever rigid about sleep/nap schedules, so there's that.  We took an overnight flight and then just did the normal things you do for jet lag - get sunlight, follow LOs cues.  He really adjusted very quickly - never mixed up day and night or anything like that.
We did bring a great stroller that had the ability to lay flat and he did nap in that a lot (but he always was been a good stroller-napper).
Also, international flights offer those flying with infants the bulkhead row and "bassinets" which were awesome.
To be honest, it might have worked for us because we've just always taken DS with us so changes of scene were "normal"
It was an awesome trip, I'd totally do it again. Not sure I'd do it now that he's three.. that flight would be a bear .. but at this age: GO! have fun!