Jet lag and time differences - going to the US

[Gem13]

There is the possibility that I could escape the winter gloom and house moving hassles by accompanying DH to the States (east coast) in a couple of weeks for a week max.

DS is 16 months and a great sleeper. What I am interested in learning is how difficult (or easy!) is it for little ones to cope with the jet lag and time differences?

I could really do with a change of scene but as I am 29 weeks pregnant I don't want to make my life more difficult by being unrealistic. DH will only be working for a couple of days and is very 'hands on' so it could be a mini holiday for us.

Can anyone advise?

I've done it quite a few times with two dds from the age of five months to four years, at different ages. Mine didn't sleep that well in the US/when they got home. My sister does it quite a bit with ds and dd - has also done at similar ages - and they sleep brilliantly. Hope you're lucky. I've also travelled at 30 weeks pregnant to US and that was fine. I'd go and keep your fingers crossed.

I have also flown quite a few times with dd ( now 2) to the east coast - going there hasn't been much of a problem, it's flying back to England that's dificult b/c most of the flights are night flights and messes up the body clock. Definately go - the jet lag will work itself out! have fun
hana

Sorry - my flights with dds to West Coast, so 12 hour flights etc.

Thanks for that - it's encouraging. Looks like I should stop feeling sorry for myself and go!

I've done east coast and caribbean (similar flight time and same time difference) lots of times with babies from the age of about 6 months up. THey are always fine, as long as you just put them straight onto local time as much as you can. So on the way over, try and keep them awake when you get there so they can have supper and bed at vaguely approximate times (OK they may conk out at 5pm, but that is still pretty good). I find if you feed them at the right times then their internal clock does the rest and they sleep when it is dark etc.
Go for it!

Agree with the advice here - just immediately switch schedule to the local times - make sure your DS naps when he would nap at home and put him to bed when he normally sleeps at home. We went to Europe (from the US) a few months ago, and DD adjusted within 1 day. She was 17 months at the time, so similar to yours. You can nap when your DS naps.

Gem13 you may want to have a look at the travel insurance chain too as you wouldn't want to go to the USA without some sort of medical insurance, so try to find an insurer that will cover you. Not sure who would cover in the 30ish week stage.