How to Make Travel or Moving Easier for You and Your Little Ones

Infants

If your baby will be sleeping in a pack-n-play or other portable crib that you own, have her take a couple of naps in it for several days prior to your travel. The mattress in the portable crib will feel, sound and smell different than her regular crib so becoming familiar with it for several days may reduce the chances of sleep disruptions when you travel. If the hotel or house will be providing the portable crib, take a mattress pad, several crib sheets which will smell like your laundry with which your baby is familiar.

If you will be sharing a house, ask others if you can have a room that has a walk-in closet or an area away from where you will be sleeping where you can put the crib.

If there is no portable crib available, instead of co-sleeping make a palette on the floor with couch cushions or pillows around it to prevent the baby from rolling away. Use the mattress pad and sheets you brought to make a safe sleep space on the floor.

Remember to pack

Sound Machine. Even if you haven’t used one to this point, buy one or download an app. on your phone to play white noise. Hotel rooms and homes shared by more than one family can be noisy and disrupt night sleep and naps.
Two black towels and duct tape to put on windows to darken room.
Special blankets, swaddles, and loveys your baby is used to. Remember, blankets are never safe to be put in a crib with an infant.
Nightlight. Even if your baby doesn’t use one at home, having dim light in the room will help you see and tend to her without having to turn on a bright light.

Toddlers and older children

Changes in routines and environments can be unsettling for toddlers and older children. It’s important you talk with your children ahead of time about the upcoming changes. Some helpful books you can order on Amazon:

We’re Moving: A reassuring book about new beginnings (Birth-5 years)
The Berenstain Bears’ Moving Day (Ages 2-4)
Big Ernie’s New Home (Ages 2-5)
My Very Exciting, Sorta Scary, Big Move (Ages 5-7)
Moving Away Will Be Okay (Ages 4-10)

They may feel like they have no control over all that is happening, and they may not. However, you can help empower them so they feel they are in control of some things that will affect them. An example is, if possible, let them pick out their room in the new house or let them decide where their bed will go, their dresser, their toys, etc. This will help get their “buy in” and help them feel more secure. Show them pictures ahead of time of your new home, their room, and anything fun like a neighborhood playground or something else they can look forward to.

Let them pick out a new set of pjs for the new house and perhaps a new set of sheets or blanket. Also, let them pick out a new soft lovey or toy they can keep with them on the travel and to have with them during the transition and after.

They may feel your stress about packing, the move and everything in between so give them some grace, and yourself too. Take time outs from the “busy ness” and spend a little extra time reading or playing a game with them. They will feel more secure if they feel your calmness.

Handling Sleep When Changing Time Zones

infants

If it is just a one hour time difference, you don’t need to change anything. Just let them sleep and nap according to your old time zone and in a week or so, if they haven’t adapted and are off schedule, try moving naps and bedtime up or back by 15 minutes every couple of days.

If it’s a two or three hour time difference, try moving bedtime up or back (depending on whether you have gained or lost time) by 15-30 minutes every couple of days for up to a week or two before you move. This can help your baby adjust to the new time zone. Remember to look for sleep signs from your baby.

Sleep sIGNS YOUR BABY WILL SHOW

If your baby is showing four or more of these, they are likely ready:

Putting their fingers and hands to their mouth
Bringing hands to their midline like they were inside the womb
Rubbing their face into you; your stomach, the crook of your armpit, your shoulder, trying to “get to” a dark place, away from stimulation
Rolling to their side or tummy
Grunting and fussing
Rubbing a lovey around their face or head or pulling on their hair or ears
7Yawning, eyes and the area around the eyes turning red.

Toddlers and Older Children

For a one hour time difference, you can adjust bedtime by 15-30 minutes every couple of days for a week before moving. Naps will adjust, with just a little help from you, own their own. If not, change the time by serving lunch a little earlier (or later) and plan the nap accordingly.

For a two or three hour time change, try shortening the nap by 30 minutes after you move, to help reset their sleep rhythms and prepare them for the new bedtime. Also, waking them 30 minutes earlier in the morning can help with nap time as well.