Group Discussions

Infant and Vacation: a recipe for disaster?

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  Hey All: We're on vacation and my little guy has had a horrible time adjusting: he cried so much the first night we were away, that I thought that I had a newborn again! His schedule is so messed up ... he is missing naps and staying up late. Should I insist on a routine, while visitng my sister. Or, should I just go with the flow until we get back home?

  Flag as inappropriate Posted by KC on 3rd March 2008
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  Oh... a little more infor: we have 6 more days away.

  Flag as inappropriate Posted by KC on 3rd March 2008
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  His schedule is already disrupted so I would still stick to it, but be a little lenient (umm.. did I spell that right?).
  
  I traveled to Europe with a 1yr old and her schedule was all screwed up.. but I stuck to it and after 3 or 4 days, she was pretty much back to normal. But then you have to consider it's going to go upside down again once you get back home.
  
  
  
  The other thing is for you to be calm and patient.. and relax with him. Would it help if you sat down and chilled out with him on a sofa or chair? Maybe there's too many people buzzing about?
  
  
  
  I wish you the best of luck

  Flag as inappropriate Posted by Suzanne on 4th March 2008
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  Is this the first time you've been away with him? I don't like sleeping in a strange place and I dare say I'm a million times older then your little one. There probably is a lot more activity too, lots of new faces and voices too etc.....
  
  
  
  Find a quite place for a little "chill" time and yes stay to his routine as much as you can.
  
  
  
  Good luck and

  Flag as inappropriate Posted by Mary Jane on 4th March 2008
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  Hey KC, We have taken several trips with our little one, and this always happens with her too. I try to just go with the flow. My experience was that trying to stick with a schedule was more stressful on both me and babyjama. So I just kept her by my side, held her a lot, nursed her a lot, and just let her make the schedule. It made it a lot less cumbersome. In the end you just have to decide what will be less disruptive for your little guy and stick to that. I hope you actually get to have some relaxation time!

  Flag as inappropriate Posted by mamajama on 4th March 2008
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  I just always feel like it is best to go with your instincts---the gut ones---the ones that come first. I live in St. Louis and have family in Georgia (mine) and Maine (Brian's). We fly a lot and Wynn is an absolute nut! She doesn't cry on planes, but is really squirmy and climby and it is AWFUL, but doable. And when we're where we're going, she decides right away whether or not she is going to be compliant. It's all about comfort---bring a blankie, stuffed animal, mama t-shirt, or whatever. Something the baby can relate to. I guess our jobs as mothers is to make these little ones feel at home.
  
  
  
  You will do it right 'cause you grew him and you're the best mama he'll ever have! Give him a little attention and then get some rest for yourself.
  
  
  
  Good luck!

  Flag as inappropriate Posted by Ashley on 4th March 2008
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  Hi there!
  
  
  
  He will adapt, just be patient. We have travelled a lot with out kiddies (even took 11 month old twins and a 5 year old to Zurich!!) and the first couple of days can be brutal...but then they adjust and so do you and the stress levels all go down again. Just try to be aware that when they are mizzy, that they typically have a need of some sort...whether its a nap, food or just some tlc!
  
  
  
  good luck!!
  
  Linda
  
  www.crazy4color.com

  Flag as inappropriate Posted by Linda on 4th March 2008
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  I'd just flow with it and do your best. When we're on the road, I have to lie down with Pidge until she falls asleep. At home I leave her when she's awake. Vacations break all the routines. Returning home you'll have to re-establish them. It's almost like another complete change when they're that young. But if you're firm on the routine when you get home he'll eventually learn that there is the routine for home and the routine for away.
  
  
  
  I remember coming back from one trip. We got back in the evening and I put Pidge on her changing table to get her ready for bed. She broke out into this huge smile because at that moment she realized we were home and she was so happy. I've got a bit of a homebody. Runs in the family.

  Flag as inappropriate Posted by Jenns on 4th March 2008
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  I just want to say that I've totally been there and almost turned around and went home. We got through it, day 4 on was a lot easier, but I know it's really tough. Hang in there!

  Flag as inappropriate Posted by Nataly on 4th March 2008
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  I've done a lot of travel with the kiddos and you just have to, as most of these ladies are saying, go with the flow. I'm very stringent with our schedule(hubby would say anal) but when we are forced to sleep outside of our house I relax my own expectations and things go MUCH smoother. Just keep loving that baby.

  Flag as inappropriate Posted by Mandy Nelson - Dandysound on 4th March 2008