Time change sleep advice - Traveling overseas

knottie9867bb34a8d940a5

My family and I will be going on a 2 week vacation in Europe for my dad’s 70th birthday. My daughter (21 months) is luckily doing GREAT with sleeping on her own. I’m getting a bit nervous because of the time change, and also meals there are around 1 pm for lunch (which is her nap time) and 8-8:30 pm for dinner (she sleeps around 7 pm). Any tips?

knottie210c943f9d078bc9

I’d start adjusting nap and bedtime little by little a few days before the trip. On the trip, we offered dinner earlier when needed and brought quiet activities for restaurant time. Sometimes naps happened on the go. It’s all about being flexible.

knottie6f55c2cdcd00affa

The first couple days might be a bit of a mess, but most kids adjust quickly. We focused on sunlight in the morning and tried to stick to familiar nap cues, even if the timing was off.

knottie8dccb186d1ba0ade

I think she should be fine, especially if the does sleep well. Prepare for some days of random sleep schedules for some time, but overall I think she will manage

knottie1ff1fc065256bdcc

Time changes can definitely be tricky with little ones, but toddlers are usually more adaptable than we expect. I’d suggest trying to shift her schedule slightly in the days leading up to the trip so it’s not such a big jump when you get there. Once you’re in Europe, try to get her outside in the natural light during the day to help her adjust faster. For naps and meals, flexibility will be your best friend — maybe let her nap a bit earlier/later if lunch runs long, or bring some snacks to tide her over until dinner. If she usually goes down at 7, you could let her do a stroller nap in the evening so she can join family dinners without being overtired. It might be a bit bumpy the first couple of days, but she’ll settle into the rhythm. And honestly, sometimes on vacation it helps to relax routines a little so everyone can enjoy themselves. Also, if you’re still in the planning phase, checking deals or contact edreams can sometimes save money on flights and accommodations, which makes the whole trip a bit easier too.