Jet Lag & Your Junior
For toddlers making transitions between time zones
isn't easy; internal body clocks are much more difficult
to reset than external ones. Internal body clocks
tell us when we are tired and need to sleep and when
we are not. Many parents find that taking young children
to a time zone that is ahead is less stressful.
Reset your toddler's
clock only if it will be worth the effort:
If you will be away from home for less than a week,
it is pointless to adjust to the schedule of the new
country; it makes more sense to keep your toddler
closer to her accustomed schedule. Otherwise by the
time you get her adjusted to the new schedule, it
will be time to leave for home.
Start to tone down
on excitement before you start out:
Start to keep things low key especially for your
toddler a few days before departure. Avoid a hectic
schedule and demanding activities which could be
tiring - fatigue makes jet lag worse.
Reset your watch:
Set your watch to the time at your destination and
continue adjusting meals and sleep patterns to the
new time if your toddler cooperates. If your toddler
tends to sleep in motion and making keeping to any
schedule impossible, it's ok.
Reset gradually:
If you are driving or traveling by train, you will
be able to accustom your little one to the new time
zone, one zone at a time. It will also be easier
if you are breaking your trip, a couple of days
in each time zone.
See the light:
You will adjust to the new time faster if you spend
as much time as possible in the bright light outdoors
as soon after your arrival as possible. On longer
trips, making an effort to expose everyone to midday
sun on arrival will make resetting internal clocks
easier.
Don't expect immediate results with resetting the
internal clocks of your family; it takes a few days
and a lot of patience. Your toddler is likely to
be somewhat cranky, clingy and generally out of
sorts. If possible avoid major outings during the
first couple of days. Take it easy again for the
first few days on returning home. Generally be less
attached while you are away from home - the new
schedule is only temporary. In the end you may be
pleasantly surprised to find that your toddler hardly
notices the time change.
