Traveling with the family is so fun and the memories are so special. But I will be the first to admit that traveling abroad with little ones requires a little more planning and a lot more patience. Traveling more than a few hours from our time zone brings on a whole other lieu of challenges, especially when it comes to jet lag. While all babies are different and respond differently, ahead are the tips that work for us! Keep reading for the best ways to avoid jet lag in babies!

Time Your Flight

Choosing the time of your flights is a big one. Overnight flights can be great since baby will likely sleep most of the way. I also try to pay attention to what time we will arrive at our final destination. Ideally, I like to arrive right around dinner time so we can grab a bite to eat and go to bed. Usually we are so tired from the long flight that we are all ready to hit the sack. It’s also important to pay attention to the duration of flights and layovers. Aim for one long flight rather than two somewhat long flights but some might prefer to break up the long haul in two. I find that getting through one really lengthy flight is easier than two (or more) semi-lengthy flights.

Tip: Don’t forget to request the bassinet-compatible seat when you book your flight (this is a life-saver – check out these other great tips for flying with baby!)

Adjust Immediately

Some parents like to ease slowly into the new time zone but we prefer to switch our schedules immediately. We try to fight through the jet lag and adjust to the new time zone right away. The sooner we make the switch, the sooner our bodies adapt. And we apply this ideology to baby. While I do allow Oliver to take naps during the day, this is the one time I ever wake a sleeping baby. I try not to let his naps go longer than 2 hours.

Manipulate Melatonin Levels

What makes us fall asleep are changes in the level of the hormone melatonin circulating in our body. Our brain signals our body to decrease the melatonin level when it is light out and to increase it when it is dark. The brighter the light, the less melatonin and the darker the dark, the more melatonin. By making your days lighter and your nights darker, you can improve both the quality of your sleep and shorten the amount of time it takes you to fall asleep. So, get as much sunlight during the day (but don’t forget to wear sunscreen!) and don’t forget the dark window shades or eye masks so you can get some extra Zzz’s in the morning even when it’s light out.

Hydrate!

This should be just a general life tip. Always drink water but more so on the plane. Humidity levels on planes are much lower than normal and it is easier to get dehydrated. And the main reason for jet lag is actually dehydration and it worsens the symptoms. Make sure you and baby stay hydrated before, during and after the flight. Since I breastfeed, I nurse Oliver as often as possible or offer him water. I also buy a large water bottle before boarding and drink often.

Prepare Mentally

I usually keep our itinerary pretty light the first day or two. And I mentally prepare myself because the first nights are usually not the easiest. Chris and I take turns with baby if he’s up and wide awake in the middle of the night. But since we adhere to the new time zone as much as possible, soon enough we are all sleeping better and feeling rested! Sometimes it takes more than a couple of days but it does get better!

If all else fails, check out the Entrain, a jet lag app that does the math for you and recommends light and dark schedules so you’ll shift to the new time zone as quickly as possible and feel better faster!

What do you do to avoid jet lag? I’d love to hear your tips! Leave me a comment!