Pointers for a trip with 6hr difference

[ZanesOTmom]

Hi there. LO is now 17 months, independent sleeper and we really have a great routine by now. I’m dreading our upcoming trip next week with a 6hr time difference. I’d appreciate any pointers you may have on what to do to preserve our routine.

0730 get up (he wakes between 0630-0730 but stay in crib quietly)
1300 nap (2-3hrs)
2000h bed (sleeps with 10-30mins)

Really worried about OT and ruining what we’ve worked on. I plan to go with the flow during the long haul flights and let him call the shots in terms on naps and bedtime at our destination and when we come home. But wouldn’t he be awake at 1am our time when we come back?! 🤦🏻‍♀️

[Haribo2012]

Hi from experience of the twice I’ve done long haul flights uk to USA with my kids it’s best to just go with the flow for a couple of days and then just try and get back to normal routine once they adjust.
Currently in Orlando and my 2.5 yr had mini nap on flights then managed to keep him awake until 8pm US time which was 1am uk time and he slept until 4.30am US time....my eldest was up around that time to. Youngest then fell asleep in buggy at 8am for couple of hours and a mini nap mid afternoon then bit later BT 8.30pm. The days then start to work round to your normal day and wake up gets later etc.
Really just let them catch up with CN if your out and about and it comes right.

Really don’t worry yourself and just enjoy your trip 😊😊

[ZanesOTmom]

That’s great to hear. I’ve only read of (mostly) horror stories. Thank you! I shall try to enjoy.

[Haribo2012]

It can be harder on the way back but I just try and get back to normal x

[Haribo2012]

Hi hope it all went well?

[ZanesOTmom]

Yess!! I couldn’t have hoped for a better outcome. LO was so well behaved outbound and we landed in Hawaii 8pm their time so we were all pooped. LO slept til 0530h as did we. Inbound (6hrs ahead), we had a redeye and landed at 3pm. Probably because of all the OT and OS, he was grumpy when awake throughout the 10.5hr flight. We were all exhausted by the time we got home at 5pm. As per pedia’s approval, we gave a small dose of melatonin and it worked like a charm. He slept 1945h til 6am (very close to routine) then napped at noon (today - we got back yesterday). All my worries were for nothing. Lol but thank you for the peace of mind you gave me. I didn’t lose sleep prior to our trip.

[Haribo2012]

Sounds great, glad it went well x