vacation tips?

LolaBelle515 · July 2012

We're joining my in-laws on the annual family vacation for a week later this month. It's a week at a cabin with electricity, but no air conditioning. (It shouldn't be TOO hot since we're on a lake.)

Any tips from those that have taken their LO on vacation of how to have a "successful" vacation. How to keep him semi-on schedule? How to avoid total breakdowns as a result of being in a different place? How to help sleeping in a new place?

Thanks!

jsimm · July 2012

Maybe we're just lucky, but my baby did great on vacation. The first three days were freezing (in the 60's in New England) and the last 3 days were sweltering hot with no A/C. I barely packed any long sleeve clothes (as I didn't have any) but she was a great sport with that. However, during the hot days she was on the verge of miserable. I would highly recommend bringing clothes for all weather, and socks. I didn't have too much of a schedule with her, and she totally reversed her sleeping habits for the better. Prior to that, she went to bed at 9pm, and slept till 5a, but during the trip she was asleep by 8, and slept till 8! I just followed her cues on naps, and tried not to over stimulate her. Also, she had very little experience with her PNP before the trip, but slept great. She loved looking around our rental and I think the fresh air did her good. Good luck, and have fun on your trip. Don't forget not to have fun, and live your life, but go with little expectations. Go with the flow, and enjoy yourselves.

DevonPow · July 2012

WE have taken DS2 on two vacations - 3 days in vermont and last week a week at the beach. He did well both times. We brought the RNP and swing with us, which was a big help. He didn;t seem phased by the location change at all, since we had all of his regular stuff. Both places he slept in the bathroom (quietest and darkest room - my older son has slept in many a bathroom and closet on trips!). Luckily he will nap in the Bjorn, so at the beach, etc. I could walk around with him and get him to take at least a short nap on schedule. WE just needed to plan ahead a lot, but all in all it wasn;t too bad. The long drives there and back were typically the worst parts

lauranicole91 · July 2012

We brought our white noise machine, RnP, and regular bedtime blanket with us. We kept her sleep schedule in tact by making sure we were back to the hotel before her bedtime. She did great with sleeping. What was super hard on her was he constant here, there, everywhere we did visiting everyone in town. She spent a lot of time in the carseat and she hated it. But since you are vacaying at a cabin I don't see why you'd be doing to much running around, so that shouldn't be an issues.

My LO loved all the new surroundings, it was fun for her to stare at everything/everyone new.

I'm sure your LO will do fine.

LolaBelle515 · July 2012

This is all very encouraging--thank you!!

ADub09 · July 2012

He did great on the 5.5 hour plane ride, and with the 3 hour time change. I kept his bedtime the same time 10 pm at home 10 pm on vacay. He was a little off the first night back home but was back on track by night 2.

Kdrake8 · July 2012

1. We took stuff to make her sleep environment as similar as possible. For us that meant PNP (as a stand in for her crib), cuddle cove to go inside, and noise machine. The first night she woke 3 times (normally have 0 or 1 wake ups over night). Then she settled back into her routine mostly.

2. We still do her night routine (bath, lotion, pj's, bottle, bed).

3. Go with the realistic expectation that you probably won't be able to do EVERYTHING the group is doing. Ex: right now, the rest of the fam is on a jeep tour of a beach and we are at the condo.

4. Bringing the bouncer was a lifesaver. M loves her bouncer, and we were able to put it under our tent on the beach. She hung out and looked around, then napped.

HTH!

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