Losing my mind with baby on holiday

[Justanotherusername27]

My darling daughter who usually sleeps blissfully through the night (18 months) has been sooo difficult over the past two nights. I love her I know it’s not her fault but I’m at a loss of what to do. It’s 2am here in Spain. We kept her up all day so she would sleep tonight (she was singing nursery rhyme at 1am last night). She fell asleep at 7.30 after a difficult day of winging and she got up at 11.30, we’ve put her in with us (in a cot) as not to wake my son and she’s just been kicking off since. She’s had calpol, bottles, the air con is on, the room is dark but nothing is working and I’m at my wits end, as is she and my partner: any advice gratefully appreciated. I knew it wouldn’t be plain sailing but she’s regressed soooo much

18 months and you kept her up all day, mine were still having naps at that age and if she is well not sure why your giving her Calpol. Sounds like she way way overtired past sleeping tbh

It's hideous I know. But just one of those things. She will sleep eventually. Can you and your partner take it in turns in the meantime? An hour each? So that you don't lose your minds?

Can you try popping her in the pram and taking her around for a walk with a comfort item (soft blanket/toy), then if she falls asleep just let her continue to sleep in the pram for the night?

Tbh skipping naps doesn’t usually help them sleep better at night at this age as the over-tiredness can make them weirdly hyper.

Is this the first time you have been away with her? The reason I ask is, I remember taking my son away when he was a baby and he always struggled with a new environment for the first few nights.

she might be over tired if she’s used to having a nap during the day and you must be exhausted too.

Could you play some white noise on your phone and maybe gently rock her to settle her if she’s crying?

She has been teething on and off for a few weeks, calpol was a just in case thing and we skipped her nap to reestablish her routine, it’s not a general thing one of my friends suggested it. Probs not the best idea in hindsight!

the pram is a good idea but we’re on the first floor with only stairs 😭 I’ve just got up with her and put miss rachel on low for now which isn’t ideal but atleast my son and one of us can get some sleep 😴

not sure if tomorrow we should wake her up at usual time (if she does sleep😂) or give us time to catch up

First time away abroad the heat won’t be helping but the apartment is fairly cool but she’s just not used to it all

You skipped her nap. Just don’t do that tomorrow and all should be fine

Ah I know it’s bloody hard but try to not let it ruin your holiday. I remember with mine I was walking along the beach at 5am because he had been awake so long. When I was there I thought, oh it’s not so bad, lovely walk in the quiet listening to the waves and birds. Before that I was nearly crying trying to get him back to sleep but once I gave up and went with the flow I felt so much better .

Skipping her nap wouldn’t have helped.

Do what you need to get through tonight and reset tomorrow. Maybe 2 naps if needed

Update😂 slept from 4am till 10.30am refused all naps so far. Pray for us tonight 😂

Put her in your bed with you and If she is not crying then turn all your lights off and just stay quiet. Keep a hand on her for comfort. If she is chattering, stay quiet and she should eventually get bored and go to sleep.

If she is crying, do all yhe same things and put lullaby on youyube with low sound.

This is what I used to do with my DD. she is 4 now and will sleep through a hurricane when we went on holiday two weeks ago. We didn't change her routine even a little bit even though they had evening entertainment at 9 PM We would all follow the bedtime for 7 PM. Kids don't do well with change of routine. I hope it helps.

and don't skip the nap at that age. Hope you get some sleep OP.

Argh, I'd be worth that because letting her sleep in so much meant she missed her nap (again) she'll be wired and overtired again tonight. Or she'll conk out at 4 and be awake for the day at 2am. If I were you, I'd try to keep as much of her schedule the same as you can. Definitely not skipping naps too make her tired!

Just back from holiday and we had similar issues. My DD 20MO wasn't quite herself the first few days but she got into a routine and had a nap as well as regular bed time by about the 3rd or 4th day.

It will get better OP, hang in there!

Sleep breeds sleep, so skipping the nap at 18 months probably wasn’t the wisest idea. Hopefully she sleeps better for you tonight. All you can do js persevere with her usual routine and hope it kicks back in.

She slept for 2 hours 3-5 and she’s just gone down now. The fan is on in her very dark room and my son has opted to go on the sofa (he says to help out but I know it’s because he doesn’t want to share bless him 😂). Say a silent prayer for us tonight ladies. Fingers crossed this is where it turns around. Thanks all for your comments xx

Put her cot in the dark bathroom

Hope it’s going okay for you tonight OP. I remember those days well. Sending you a cuddle and don’t feel bad about putting the telly on to give you some respite if it helps, in the grand scheme of parenthood and babyhood it won’t matter. Hope you all manage some sleep tonight.

The words baby and holiday only go together if you’re very lucky alas. Hats off to you for giving it a go. We only stayed with family for those early years. Not good holiday spots but handy for help during the zombified days. Course that’s lucky too in its way. Hope you all get some sleep and some kind of holiday.

shes slept through 🙌. She’s still asleep now actually so will have to get her up soon! @pinkdelight my dad and his partner are flying out today to look after her tomorrow as we’re off to a wedding but his partner hasn’t known us all too long so let’s hope she survives this 😂

Hurrah! Happy to hear you all slept and sounds like a great plan going forwards. Everything feels better when you've had some rest. You will get through it! 👏💪

Don’t put the telly on for her. That will stimulate her brain rather than calm it. You’ve just reminded me how un holiday like holidays with young children are. Hang in there. You’re doing a great job. It will get easier.