International travel is so much fun, especially when you are taking your baby to these new experiences and culture. One of the main things you might have to deal with is baby jet lag. Not only we experience jet lag as adults, but they too. Don’t worry, they are usually pretty adaptable to their new environment.
As you may or may not know, my family and I went to Asia for a little more than a month. It took us basically a whole day to fly to Singapore with EVA Airlines (read my review here). When we arrived, one of the most daunting things I was not looking forward to is the jet lag that Baby K might experience.
We were staying with family so I did not want her to wake them up in the middle of the night.
Thankfully, we were able to set a plan beforehand and overcome the jet lag together.
Before you continue, please know that this is part of my huge Asia series. Please read the other posts here (will update as I continue to write):
- Review: Flying with EVA Airlines
- How to handle baby jet lag (this post)
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Contents
Here are 5 tips on how to deal with baby jet lag:
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1. Keep the bedtime routine consistent
Whether you arrive during the day or in the middle of the night, try to do your bedtime routine before you sleep at night. It might not be the usual time that you go to bed, but at least try to keep the routine consistent. It will help you baby recognize that even though you are all in a new and unfamiliar place, you still do these things before going to bed.
For us, we shower Baby K, brush her teeth and clean her face, read the baby Bible, and then give her a bottle and say our prayers.
It helps her to calm down and settle knowing that it is bedtime. We did have a night light similar to being at home. Thanks aunt!
She does not think that it is play time nor that we stimulate her knowing that it is night time in Singapore.
Work with your baby and set a time when you want to go to bed. Try to keep it more or less the same every day. People tell us that we will miss out on the night view and what not. I agree, but I rather have a happy baby who sleeps at night than deal with the crankiness throughout the night because she is overtired.
It is up to you when you want your baby’s bedtime to be and keep the routine consistent.
2. Nap when you are tired
During the day, it can be hard to stay awake when your internal clock is still in your country of origin. Nap when you are tired. Go back to your hotel room or Airbnb and rest.
As I mentioned, nap when you are tired, not sleep. There is a difference. Allow yourselves to rest and set a timer. When the alarm goes off, go out and take a walk or plan for your next meal. It might be a struggle at times but it will help you adjust quickly.
Even a 10 minute power nap will energize you for the next while to do whatever activities you have planned.
When M was tired in the morning, he would nap and I would wake him up to go for lunch. I was persistent in getting him up and it is a good thing that he listens to his wife (aka me). We slowly adjusted with fewer and fewer naps during the day.
3. Go out and explore during the day
You are on vacation, but go explore and have fun! Whether it is going to the beach or visiting a city landmark, go and have a great time.
Having something to look forward to when you are experiencing jet lag will make you push yourself a little more. Maybe sleep earlier the night before so that you can be ready early in the morning to go.
One tip for parents: Do one big activity a day so that the baby is not overstimulated and the parents can rest as well.
It makes the vacation more exciting than just the process of getting used to the time zone. If your baby needs to be home at a certain time, plan ahead for that and you can still have a great time.
4. Recognize and accept the fussiness
With all that being said, jet lag can still be hard on us and the babies. Fussiness will happen. Meltdowns might happen. It is our responsibility to recognize as parents that they are tired and decide what we want to do.
Do we want to find a quieter and air conditioned place where the baby can rest? Or, do you want to go back to the hotel or Airbnb?
It happens and unless you can prevent fussiness from happening, especially the first few days, please comment below and let everyone know how you do it!
Just know that your baby is not the only baby who gets fussy and it’s not your fault as a parent. Understand that they are tired and then develop a quick plan of what you want to do next. Parenting requires more quick problem solving skills than anything I’ve experience before.
5. Take it easy for the first few days
Do your bedtime routine, plan an activity a day, go and explore the food and culture around you, but it is definitely okay to take it easy for the first few days. Go at the pace that you and your family are comfortable with. If you want to enjoy your vacation, sleep in or go to bed earlier. It is perfectly fine. You do not need to see everything and plan every minute of your vacation.
You are on vacation after all.
Just try to adjust to the time zone when you are ready.
Thanks for reading my tips on how to handle baby jet lag. To see more on our adventure to Asia, please read the posts below (will update as I write them):
- Review: Flying with EVA Airlines
- How to handle baby jet lag (this post)
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