With one in four families not taking vacations because they’re worried about stress and any issues that could arise, it would make sense to assume that jet lag symptoms are one of the primary reasons for this.
However, with only one in four families choosing to avoid vacations, that leaves three in four still opting to travel. Therefore, plenty of babies are likely to suffer from jet lag just as much as the rest of the family. So, if you have a baby and planning a family trip abroad, it’s essential to prepare your baby as much as possible for any time differences they may experience. Read on to discover how to make time adjustments a whole lot easier for both you and your baby.
Make your first day all about your baby
When you first arrive at your new destination, the only thing likely to be on your mind is exploring your new surroundings and getting stuck in with the fun activities on offer. But you might have to delay all that, as a great way to establish the most appropriate schedule for your baby is to make the first day all about your baby.
Slowly integrate them into your new place to help them become accommodated to their surroundings and become comfortable. Then, you can use this time to analyze their behavior and establish a new sleeping schedule that suits both their temperament and your new time zone. Once you’ve come up with the best routine possible, it’s vital to keep things consistent so you don’t confuse your baby.
Plan ahead
In addition to adapting your schedule when you arrive, it’s essential to get things started before you even go. Investigate what your new time zone will entail, and shift your baby’s routine to suit this at least a few days before you’re set to travel. This way, your baby’s schedule will already be tailored to your new time zone before you even get there, and is likely to make the whole adjustment period easier for everyone.
But, when doing this, it’s essential to adjust your baby’s schedule in small increments as opposed to all at once. Keeping your chosen increments consistent is vital, so utilizing the innovative features of this Android alarm clock app is guaranteed to keep your timings consistent and on-track.
Keep your baby active
Engaging your baby with fun activities in the fresh air is a sure-fire way to increase the likelihood of your baby sleeping when the time comes. Occupying your baby during the day will induce sleepiness – an active baby almost always ends up a tired baby!
Jet lag and time changes can be difficult for everyone of all ages but, for babies who are too young to understand what’s going on, it can wreak havoc on their routines. Therefore, to ensure your trip is as fun as possible, preparing beforehand and accommodating your baby’s new routine straight away are sure-fire methods for a hassle-free vacation.
Victoria Norris is an Army Wife who is completely used to the lifestyle after being raised an Army ‘Brat’ too! She is a Mother to a 6-month-old and a 6-year-old and enjoys showing her kids the cultures of the world.