Traveling with My Toddler...

Updated on June 09, 2012
E.A. asks from El Monte, CA
7 answers

Hi Moms
We are going on a family vacation this July & I nervous because my 16 month old daughter still isnt walking! Plus she sleeps a lot. The tricky part is she doesnt like to be held or rocked to sleep so when we are on vacation I have no idea how I am going to handle her. Any ideas? Usually I just put her in her crib & she falls asleep for hours. She wont sleep with us in our bed either Ive trie. She obviously gets cranky if she doesnt nap but so Im trying to figure out what I should do. Also she is off the bottle but I cant seem to take that darn binky away ( which all my family says I have to do it now ) So I really dont want to take it away before the trip. She is a late teether too so her lil teeth are just staring to come in. Any any advise or ideas welcomed! Thanks :)
EDIT: We are flying to Guadalajara Mexico then driving to Puerto Vallarta. We will be staying with my family but they dont have kids.

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So What Happened?

Thanks for the replies. I never considered taking her pack & play since we are flying. But I will be keeping her pacifier & taking her blankets & lil bear she loves. Thanks & I hope its a fun trip!

More Answers

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P.G.

answers from Dallas on

Many hotels have cribs. There are also travel beds - don't know if she'd like them. And it's none of your family's business when you stop the binky. Now is not the time, when there is travel and change. Wait till you get back and don't worry about it.

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K.M.

answers from Denver on

Are you staying in a hotel? Some hotels have cribs, you can call ahead and ask. Otherwise bring a pack-n-play. It's okay she is not walking, because even if she was you would probably want to bring a stroller anyway because lots of walking would tire her out. I wouldnt take the binky away until after the trip anyway! Make sure you bring some baby ibuprofen and such for her teething. Good luck to you! Where are you going?

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❤.M.

answers from Los Angeles on

Are you flying or driving? If driving, you can take so much more of her comforts from home. For example, if she isn't walking yet but has a walker or bouncy chair.....take it.

Call ahead to the hotel (I assume you are staying in a hotel rather than w/family at their house) to see if they have & reserve a crib.

Bring her favorite blankets, stuffed animals, toys & things she normally sleeps with (the fave blanket).

I would not try & break her from her binky on this trip or before this trip. Wait till later when you get home. Why put yourself through the misery when you are not at home.

Take teethers & teething medicine with you!!

Bring along NEW toys she has not yet seen so you can distract her w/these when traveling if by car or plane!!!!!

You'll probably be fine w/some minor adjustments.

T.M.

answers from Redding on

Just take a designated blanket for her and when you know she's ready for a nap throw it out for her.

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C.D.

answers from Los Angeles on

Don't take away the binky! Besides the fact that she's still little, the binky will help her ears when you are flying (have her suck on it on takeoff and landing). Definitely take teething medication (Hyland's teething drops, pain med., etc.). For sleeping, if staying with relatives without a crib, we like the KidCo Peapod http://www.toysrus.com/product/index.jsp?productId=3393732 It folds up very small in your suitcase. I would let you daughter play in it and practice sleeping in it at home first. Most important...Have Fun!

S.G.

answers from Grand Forks on

I would bring a pack-n-play for her to sleep and nap in, and an umbrella stroller for walks. Will she sleep in the stroller? That way you don't have to spend half of your vacation stuck in a hotel room (?) while baby naps. I wouldn't bother taking the soother away until after the vacation. A month won't make a huge difference, and you'll probably enjoy the holiday a bit more.

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T.H.

answers from Kansas City on

Oh I feel you. My kids are good sleepers, but they really only sleep if you put them in their room by themselves and let them do it on their own. I always have anxiety when we go on vacations for this reason. I assume you're going to be in a hotel? Hotels are tricky b/c there is no where for them to go. I usually set up the pack-n-play in the darkest most secluded part of the room. If it fits in the closet I've done that, even if there's a door. In fact, it's better if there is a door! You can shut them in there and just leave it cracked and she can't see you! You can also take a book to read and put her down and then go out in the hallway and sit with your back against the door until she falls asleep and then you can go back in...it all depends upon how much you want it! ;)

Most of the time my husband and I get a suite and we put the kids in the one room and we take the other. Even for nap time this works out b/c we can go into the bedroom and watch tv or whatever. You might think about that option as well, it does cost more, but again, it might be worth it.

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