Traveling - First Time Away for Smallest Child...

I totally agree with Tracie J. My 2 y/o son is an experinced traveller as both sets of grandparents live out of state. When he still fit in a pack n play, I would start about 2 weeks before our travel date having him take naps in the pack n play. Then, a few days before our trip I would put the pack n play in our bedroom and have him sleep in it all night. Works like a charm. I also pack his crib blanket so he has the comfort of home.

Here is a tip if your flying. Head to the Dollar Store and buy a few toys and books that your child does not have. Then open them up on the airplane and your son will be busy and interested in playing with his new toys.

Good luck.

You could:

1)Have him sleep in the pack n play for the week or two leading up to the trip
2)Have your family borrow a crib from someone
3)Tire him out enough the first night that it won't matter

the surrounding themselves will be different anyway, so expect a few wake ups

We are going to the beach for a week in 2 weeks. I set up the pack n play in her room and she has been sleeping in it some to get used to it before we go. And since she'll be sleeping in the same room with us there we are going to put it in our room next week so we can all get used to being in the same room again.

My daughter was that age when we traveled to AZ. I brought the blankets she slept with at home, so at least that was the same. I folded up a quilt and put it on the bottom of the pack and play to make it a little more comfortable. We had no trouble with her sleeping.
I "tried" to keep her with her original sleep times though.
Have a great trip!!!
Steph

lay plenty of blankets in the pack and play to make it soft thats the only way my 19 month old will sleep in his but now we made him a soft mattress for his made out of that memory foam worked perfectly

Hi S.! I truly understand your trepidation about this upcoming trip. I've made several trips, many overseas, and it always upped my stress level to worry about how the kids would handle it. And the truth is, he probably won't sleep as good as he does at home. But, once you arrive at your family's house, use a couple of spare towels (the bigger the better) to line the bottom and I would place it fairly close to where you'll be sleeping in case he does awaken in the night - he will see you and maybe go back to sleep.
It probably won't be as bad as you think it might; just bring his 'comfy' things. His body will take over - he will still need sleep; probably more so as you will likely be doing a lot of activities during the day, being out in the sun, being spoiled by relatives! :) It will work out, just know that you'll have to be flexible on the trip and you'll have a lot of help around you - which is great.
Take care and have fun!

L.

Have a great trip!
Owen sleeps pretty well in his Pack N Play. I was shocked! We took his own blankets and a stuffed animal. Being on vacation really wears the young ones out fast, so Owen was always ready to crash at bedtime.
I will say one thing about sleeping in the same room with the little guy...When his alarm clock goes off, so will yours! Owen normally plays quietly in his crib for a while when he first wakes up, but on vacation he slept in our room, and he'd wake up and see us there and he was rarin' to go! :)

I am a mother of a 2 year old son and a 5 year old daughter. Kids are kids ,as we know ,so it's all unpredictable. I have traveled with mine. The pak and play does have a hard bed compared to the crib,but they seem to enjoy the adventure just like we like to travel. Remember the first time you slept in a bunk bed as a child. Exciting ,huh? Defintely not more comfy,but it was part of the adventure. So mine always jumped around and found it fun. Do make sure you have their favorite stuffed animal and 2 blakets on oversized to tuck in a bit on the bottom to make softer.Not too thick or it's won't tuck nicely. And then their cuddle blanket for warmth.This usually worked for me. I also found a radio and put it on static at a low volume and it creates a rain like background noise to filter out awakening new sounds.
Hope this helps! Enjoy the trip. E.

The pack n play mattress is REALLY hard. I always put a quilt under the sheet to soften it up. My son slept much better in it that way. Good luck!

We have five children and I find the best way for sleep while traveling is the same routine as at home. I wash our sheets weekly but when we are getting ready to leave I don't wash the crib sheet so the babies scent is on it and I would use that sheet for the pack n play. Also under the crib sheet use another crib sheet or a folded flat sheet for extra cushion, so the baby won't sweat too. Good Luck!
A.

I was a total nervous wreak when we took our daughter to visit my family. She has slept in both an infant crib and a pack and play. The pack and play is hard, but if you take a blanket, fold it to match the size of the bottom part of the pack and play and COVER it with a small crib sheet it will work great. Also, if you have any music thing that hangs on his crib now, TAKE IT! I had to forgo some clothes to fit her Dreamscape machine in my suitcase, but it was worth it. Anything that is in his crib now, take with you. Follow his schedule as much as you can and he'll be fine I'm sure. I also put a little night light in the room too. Good luck!!

Hi S.,

I think the other mom's mostly have it covered, but I would like to add that you can buy a portable crib mattress (they're cheap) that fits the pack and play. It takes the same sheet. but makes it more comfortable. I think you can get them at Target, Wal-Mart, K Mart or Toys R us. It makes it much more like a crib. It's not too soft, just softer.

Good luck!

Hello! I have had the same problem. Try doing like you said and bring his favorite things. Other than that, just be ready for the fact that he may not sleep by himself in a strange place. Kids are cretures of habit and they don't like feeling insicure. Its good to travel though and gets them used to different things. Good luck and fun on your trip!!!!!

I would have your family ck to see if there are any places in the area that rents cribs. We do this when we go on vacation and our daughter gets much better rest. We take her blanket and other crib stuff to make it seem like home and she goes right to sleep.It is usually pretty cheap considering that length of time.They will set it up and bring a mattress/sheets, etc.