International Travel - Arlington Heights,IL

My daughter was 10 months old when we went to Poland (7 hours ahead). We took the last plane out - at around 10pm. She slept in our arms the entire trip. The night was shorter, because the flight was only around 8.5 hours. When we got there, it was already 3 or 4 pm, so she didn't take any naps and went to bed that evening according to local time. I think there were about 2-3 nights that she woke up at around 1am and stayed up for an hour or so. After that, she was switched. It was more difficult on the way back, because her day was 7 hours longer, but we just let her take an extra nap. Again, 2-3 days and she was back to normal.

Hi

I travelled with my daighter when she was 20 months old, to India..that is on the opposite side. We moved here clsoe to an hour every day it was tough. But things were back on track within 5-7 days.

Other days that help is either let them sleep the whole time or keep them awake all the time, that way teh body does not recognizes the time differences. It is difficult but it works!1

All the Best!
V.

Went to Greece with my 23 month old. We just had her on the same sleep schedule as my husband & I & it worked pretty well for on the way there. When I brought her back it took about a week to get her back on schedule. It was harder on the way back than on the way there. Your body will naturally adjust, just some midnight & after & early wakings & your fine after about a week.

Hi C.....I took my kids age 14, 12 and 5 to Ireland this August for two weeks. Here's how it worked: we had a 6:50 pm direct flight. I gave the kids dramamine once we were underway and the 5 year old slept 4 - 5 hours on the plane; everyone else slept considerably less than that. We got in and had lunch then went to the hotel and everyone had a nap. Early to bed that night, sleep in the next day and we were all pretty well acclimated. THe first few days everyone was slow getting out of bed in the am but that gradually wore off. I think the key is to get on the local time schedule as quickly as possible. If you are staying at a hotel the first night and you are arriving early in the morning, I would call the hotel and see if you can arrange to have the room available a little early so you can nap. Have fun!

ha....yei!!! ladies in the previous responses.... they are freaking lucky!!!! my 18 mo and me flew to Estonia, northern europe. 1st flight was 8-9 hrs, left ORD about 5 pm, lay over in sweden, then another 1.5 hrs.
IT SUCKED! b/c they make you go to sleep. and she was NOT going to sleep, even after giving her little Benadryl as the Ped. Dr recommended.
It was the worst flight for me ever. and coming back was bad too. some european flight attendants were not that nice, as they were when i travelled alone. I am European, Estonian, and was nice to them, maybe b.c i was soooooooo tired from me and my baby being up and running between the isles (of the plane) that i almost lost it. if you have extra $ buy your 18mo old a seat also.
I'm not so rich, so I had to buy the adult ticket, with 10% fee for infant on lap. I was also travelling alone, i.e. just me and my daughter. If my husband or any friend would have been next to me,it would have been better.
by the way some people for the long flights at the check in, ask for a seat that is far away from any babies/kids.
I find that absolutely mean (although I can understand it) and degrading to families. My flights (ORD to Sweden to Estonia and Est to Copenhagen to ORD), just to get back at those people, was full of families with kids. ahahahahah. i want to say f to them so bad. b/c what i went through was indescribable. BUT, I'm going again though b4 she turns 2, to get the cheaper ticket in January 2009 for my dad's 70th.
GOOD LUCK!!!! if you have any more questions, please feel free to email me at ____@____.com
It's not all that bad as i described, b/c I was SOOOOOOOO tired from packing the night before and first time travel to Estonia with my daughter. Otherwise, I have travelled A LOT before, esp. long long flights.

M.