jetlag and travel with 10 month old

Posted by qwerty123 (137 days ago)

i wonder if anyone has tried to slowly change their babys routine to help with possible jetlag? we are back to UK in august and our 6month old is on a great routine - sleeps 7-7 and we love it! Am getting a night flight back to london in august and thinking about slowly adjusting his routine so that he sleeps later and wakes later so by the time we get on the flight he will be sleeping at 10 or 11pm and then can get on flight and fingers crossed he will sleep the whole way and then be almost on UK time?..and then we can slowly bring him back to HK time when we come back (only one week later)

anyone tried this? any tips? does it work if you put them down later will he sleep for the same time and wake later?

(I am based in Hong Kong)

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Tags jetlag

Posted by ldsllvn (137 days ago)

I have not done this but then i find that some babies do just fine and some end up all messed up for a few days - mine are the later cattegory sadly. I will just take a few days to adjust on both ends in the worst case, so I wouldnt worry about changing the routine.. just my 2 cents worth!!

(I am based in Hong Kong)

Posted by Sashimi Girl (137 days ago)

we didn't do this either when flying to the states. we just switched baby's routine cold turkey and it took him about 3 nights to adjust. it's rough, especially when you're horribly jet lagged yourself! also, re sleeping all the way to london, are you sure bubs can fit in the bassinet at 10 months? depends on your baby but our's was pretty much out of it at 8 months. but he's a big boy!

(I am based in Hong Kong)

Posted by axptguy38 (135 days ago)

We have flown over many time zones twice. First time with #1 when she was 13 months. Second time with #1 24 months and #2 6 months.

Both times, the kids adapted to the new timetable faster than we did. As mentioned above, they are messed up for a few days, but that's just life.

Basically same rules as for adults:
- Short Naps work.
- Adjust as fast as possible. Slow adjustment just prolongs the annoyance.
- Take meals at the new times ASAP (with kids this can be hard but you can add snacks).


If you need them to sleep, give a good serving of warm milk of whatever. Then put on the pajamas and get them in bed in a cold and dark room. They should be warm under blankets (or with several layers) but a cold (18-20 C) and dark room is typically an effective sleeping pill.

(I am based in Hong Kong)

Posted by kiwimmc (132 days ago)

i have found trying to adjust before the flight doesnt really work as they still wake same time (probably due to the noise around them - ie parents getting up to go to work, people in the apt above moving around etc). Like above we have found you just have to live thru it.
The one thing I have found that makes a big difference is the afternoon of the flight I arrange for someone else to take care of the child and I take a nap or at least take some rest time so that I am better able to cope with the lack of sleep on plane or when we initially arrive.

(I am based in Hong Kong)