Why is my 14mo upset on holiday?

[ML1984]

DH and I are away on holiday with our 14mo DD. Whilst here she has become increasingly upset and hard to manage. I'm not sure what's wrong. She has been teething with another lot of teeth coming through over past few weeks - not sure how long each teething bout is supposed to last though, and if it's still that.

She's just lacking patience and you can only entertain her for 5 minutes before she's crying. I'm sure this sounds like a normal toddler but it seems like new behaviour, only normally seen when she's very over tired. Usually she's much more cheerful than this.

I've been giving her bottled water - have checked the sodium levels are ok- as Spain tap water not ok. Also the milk is different but I wouldn't have though either if these things should affect her tat much and she's usually v flexible. The weather is obviously hotter but we keep her in the cool in the hottest part of the day and we have a garden with lots of shade.

She's been miserable at mealtimes, started throwing food off the high chair, even though previously she's eaten everything and been a really "good eater". It's made having lunch in a beach bar a stressful experience! We used to eat out with her quite a lot with no issues.

We have tried to stick to the same routine as home, sticking to UK time so that there no adjustment needed.

She is a very sociable infant and usually loves going to new places so I'm surprised if it's the new surroundings that are upsetting her.

Have we simply coincided are holiday with an awkward toddler stage or are we doing something wrong?

Maybe increasing age makes her more aware of new surroundings so she's unsettled about the unfamiliar environment? For example, I guess she never usually has lunch in a beach bar! It might be her way of expressing confusion at the changes.

Have you tried giving her some painkillers and seeing if that settles her down, she might have a pain she can't tell you about?

Could be a stage, could be that she’s under the weather, I’d say most likely that she’s just discombobulated by being away. Her routine may be the same, but it’s all in a different place, different smells, weather, toys, etc etc. Her whole world has turned upside down! I’d just keep reassuring her, be as familiar and patient as possible, hope that she adjusts.

If she is in Spain maybe it's the weather? It can be a big adjustment in sure, even with the care you take to keep them cool and shaded.

Maybe there's just lots of little changes acting on her including the teething.

Sorry she's not feeling herself op.

I may be wrong but I think you can buy Ashton and Parsons teething powder which isn’t just useful for teething but soothes a fretful child.

^^ can buy it in Spain I meant!

One of mine was like this on a weekend away at a similar age. After a few days tinkering with our routine etc it turned out it was chickenpox. Hopefully not the case with your DD!

My toddler goes through these phases even at home.

I’m sure being away and teething will just be exacerbating normal toddler terrors.

Any chance shes been around someone with chickenpox, mine have been 'off' for a week before the spots appear, probably not this but another possibility.

Just remember she has no concept of 'holiday' as far as she's concerned her life has just been completely changed except fir you two. Everything looks/feels/smells/tastes different and if she's teething or whatever it's going to make her cross/sad/scared

I would give her Calpol, lots of cuddles and try to get some food that tastes exactly like at Home.

It's bloody annoying when you just want to enjoy your holiday with your usually happy/flexible child, but a day or so staying at the apartment (or at least trying to go to places you've already been) and 'chilling' might reset her.

Just read page 2 and see your answer @TheSockMonster

It sounds quite normal for a toddler away from home. It must be confusing for her to suddenly be in a strange place, with no idea why and when she is going home. Old enough to be aware of strange surroundings but not really old enough to get the concept of holidays. She will likely settle down in a few days, just in time to be unsettled when you go home again!

It might not be Spain. Mine went through a really awful phase around 15 months, especially with regard to eating but also just being a general grump. From memory (I’ve mentally tried to erase it) it lasted a good few months.

Because most 14mo’s don’t like holidays. It stuffs their routine around and takes away familiarity of their usual environment which was unsettles them. Most prefer the consistency of a home environment and routine at that age.

i expect shes home sick. mine have always been homesick at that age on holiday.

@stairgates

Just read page 2 and see your answer *@TheSockMonster*

Not just us then!

Hopefully not the case for the OP’s DD!

When we went on holiday worth our 11mo a couple of years ago she was a miserable nightmare. Halfway through the holiday we realised she had Hand, Foot & Mouth when her temp suddenly went high (she didn't have any sores at that point) Could be something like that?

Her temperature is fine - we keep checking. No sign of illness except teething. Lots of molars have been coming through for past few weeks. She is chewing fingers so I do think it's hurting her.

Last night I made scrambled eggs which she has at home all the time, and this morning eggy bread was consumed fully. At restaurants all she wants to eat is meatballs! I think they are easy to eat. Right now I'm just going to let her have meatballs everyday if she'll eat them!

Try and see it from her point of view. Almost everything except you is different. She doesn't know she will be going home on a few days - as far as she is concerned this is the new normal. It's a difficult age when they are old enough to be aware of surroundings but to young to explain things to.

The heat?

Both my older 2 were fine on holiday, not easily stressed, but I think your DD might think this is her new life. It's so difficult when they're too young to explain to. Just keep trying to keep things as normal as possible.

Children often become out of sorts on holiday. Especially toddlers. Everything is new and different and overwhelming.

Definitely let her have the meatballs every time!

Quite common for them to be difficult on holiday, just when you were looking forward to some nice time to relax, unfortunately!! As PP said I think it can sometimes be just because of the change of routine etc.

I took my ds abroad when he was 18months and to be honest, he hated it. They have to fly, the weather is different, the whole routine is disrupted. He hated the pool, hated the beach. The only time he was happy was when we were out eating. They are too young to understand what has happened, where they are etc. Just be patient with him. We used to just go out for short periods when it wasn’t too hot and kept to his normal bedtime. It meant that we didn’t have much of an evening but was less stressful than trying to keep him awake. I decided after that holiday that I wouldn’t take other children until they were older.

Maybe it’s a combination of teething, very hot weather and not sleeping in her own bed. Isn’t Spain incredibly hot atm?