Never spent a night away with toddler. Abnormal?

[Pebbles654]

My boy is now 2.5 years old and he’s never spent a night away from home and we’ve not been on holiday since he was born. We haven’t even stayed overnight with family. Literally every night since he was born has been at home. He was a terrible sleeper until 18 months so I’ve been too scared to rock the boat and disrupt his routine. He would never fall asleep on the go until recently so knowing how we’d navigate naps on holiday terrified me and then the impact that would have the nights made it feel not worth the stress. He sleeps better now generally but is still really sensitive to his routine being messed with.

Am I a minority that has waited to go on holiday with a baby/toddler?

I’d like to brave it this summer though. Any tips for first holiday with a toddler and managing sleep etc?

I wouldn’t say it’s abnormal, I took our DS when he was 10 month and was dreading it as he slept so bad. But he slept best he ever has, think he was so tired from the busy days!

I don’t think it’s abnormal for your toddler to not have spent the night away from you. Do what works best for you. However, I do think perhaps you should try and have a trip away as a family. I remember feeling very nervous about this when my DD was 10 months and we went away for the first time. I was terrified she wouldn’t sleep but she did and it was so worth getting out of our daily routine. I think you’ll be grateful you did it.

I totally understand this. Family circumstances/locations have meant my DC have never had a night away from us either. They're primary aged. We haven't felt the need to.

We have gone on family holidays though. I understand your comment about not wanting to rock the boat. Sometimes you just have to go for it. Pack all his favourite bedtime toys/clock etc and some decent black out blinds and you will be okay.

I think the OP means a night away from the home together - not away from her.
We went on our first trip when my son was six weeks, and u think we went abroad not long after.
I thinks it's unusual to not take a family holiday for two and a half years (Covid years excepted) or even just a weekend.

I would say it unusual, but won't do any harm. If it hasnt bothered you, so what?

When travelling, if suggest packing whatever you think will help it run smoothly. What is his environment like at home? E.g. out eldest had a nightlight, our boys had a white noise machine, littlest one just likes it dark and quiet. If you're doing a short trip e.g. to family can you take your own bedding so that it smells likes home?

Not really. We didn't do any holidays until he was 2. They've all been in the uk so far. Hopefully do a holiday abroad next year when he's 3/4