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Mom And Daughter; Magic Kingdom; Cinderella's Castle; AA; Mickey Balloon
  • On Jul 2, 2013
    Melissa Asked Note: This answer was provided prior to the change to planDisney and may still contain references to Disney Parks Moms Panel.

    Experiences, policies, pricing and other offerings are subject to change and may have changed since the date of this answer.

    My 13 month son will only sleep in his own crib in his own room. We have tried other peoples houses before with a pack and play and it does not work no matter what we do. What can I do to make sure our vacation doesn't turn into a nightmare?

    Hi Melissa!

    An unfamiliar sleeping environment can be very unsettling for some toddlers and when baby doesn't sleep, nobody sleeps. Some kids are great travelers and others aren't until they are older. While I wish I could give you some things that would guarantee a peaceful night's sleep for all, here are some things we've tried that may (or may not) work for your little one:

    * Try to make the sleeping environment as familiar as possible. Take the items your son usually sleeps with (pacifier, blankets, stuffed animals, etc.). If he sleeps with some type of white noise machine bring it.
    * If your son doesn't fall asleep to a favorite CD, maybe you could practice with him to do that before your trip so that you could bring it with you to help him fall asleep.
    * Try to stick to his schedule as much as possible. That includes feeding, naps (even if its in a stroller), and bedtime schedules. Traveling can throw kids completely off their schedules making it much harder for them to sleep.
    * Stick to your nighttime routine (reading a book, snuggling, etc.) and allow time for that at the end of each day.
    * Check with your resort to see if they offer a crib instead of a Pack N Play.
    * Will your son co-sleep with you at all? I found that my boys would sleep with me when we traveled. It may not be a great scenario or the best habit to get into but it saved our vacation.
    * Consider a suite so that there are two separate sleeping areas.
    * Put him in a stroller and take him for a walk until he falls asleep.
    * Keep in mind that it may take a couple of nights for your son to feel comfortable in his new environment. Remember to stay calm. When you get all stressed out, it only makes things worse.

    I will keep my fingers crossed for you!  Please feel free to visit us with all of your planning questions. We're hEAR for you!

    Wishing you minnie magical memories :-) Allison V.
thumbnail image for Allison

Meet the Panelist: Allison, Georgia

I'm a Disney-fanatic! I made my first trip to Disney World the year it opened and have grown up crazy for all things Disney. As the Mom of a son with Cerebral Palsy, I love providing recommendations for families traveling with a special needs member. Learn More About Allison

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