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Original poster

kids and jetlag

12 replies

honeychild · 27/06/2006 16:20

Any tips for travelling long haul with children? Off to US this summer to see family, and wondering what to expect with jetlag -(for myself as well!)

OP posts:
bluejelly · 27/06/2006 16:27

Try and get a night flight. Jetlag much worse for you when you haven't had sleep, and you won't be able to sleep unless they do.
My dd hardly seemed to suffer from jetlag when I took her to asia- -it was me that was knocked for six

hana · 27/06/2006 16:29

you really have to just go with the flow - I fly to east coast canada and the time difference is only 5 hours - it's much easier going there than coming back, try giving naps at same time as you normally would and same with bedtimes

Astrophe · 27/06/2006 16:45

DD was fine after (apart from tired/grumpy for a day) but took about a week to stop waking at 5am! The actual flight was hellish though, but that was from Australia with an 18 month old!

Sleep all you can on the plane, then DONT sleep when you get there until its night time, or if you have small kids let them nap a little, but not too much.

katierocket · 27/06/2006 17:13

US should be OK. We went to Aus with DS (4) in Feb and he did wake up at 2am every night for about 3 or 4 nights. Amazing how quick they adapt though.

katierocket · 27/06/2006 17:13

Agree that you have to try and fit into the timezone straight away so even if you're knackered, stay up as long as possible.

Alipiggie · 27/06/2006 17:21

Take small toys, books cuddlies for the plane. Book kids meals if you can. Drink plenty of water and try and get them to sleep on the plane. Then when you get stateside keep going and go to bed at the normal time. This is what we do with ds's 4/3 and it works a treat in fact they do brilliantly. I'm normally okay too. Our big thing is the altitude here as we're mile high in Colorado and that can be worse than the jetlag. Hey we're used to it now though. Where are you going in the States?

Astrophe · 27/06/2006 17:25

agree - lots of little new toys to keep whipping out when the going gets rough. Also tissues...my dd loves playing with tissues, pulling them out of the box...keeps her busy for hours.

Original poster
honeychild · 27/06/2006 17:57

Alipiggie, we're going to Vermont - Lake Champlin (no altitude!!). V. excited. Not so worried about journey - DSS are 7 and 11, so hopefully iPods etc. will help there. More concerned about jetlag, but what everyone's said sounds encouraging.

OP posts:
Alipiggie · 27/06/2006 18:26

Fantastic, sounds wonderful. Yep journey should be fine with your two. Just keep going as per normal when you get there and you'll do fine. You'll all be so excited that you should have no trouble. Have a great time

Original poster
honeychild · 28/06/2006 14:42

Thanks y'all.

OP posts:
harrisey · 29/06/2006 00:45

I've flown UK - West Coast Canada aND UK - Guatemala with preschhool kids. (8hr and 7hr time diffference) The best advice, which you have been given, is keeping them up until a normal bedtime, and grab early nights yourself as they will be up early. Also remmeber eating times - was in Vancouver with dd2 (6) for a wedding in May and she was awakwe and STARVING (her term!!0 at 5am - I was confused until I realised it was lunchtime in the UK. So lay in some snacks for the hungry early hours,
And have a great time!! Where are you going int he US?

Californifrau · 29/06/2006 01:08

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Message withdrawn at poster's request.

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