Avoid Jet Lag in Children

Jun 17, 2006 Kelby Carr

Jet lag is rough on even the strongest adult, and for children jet lag can truly be a hardship. Use these tips to help your child avoid jet lag.

There are many reasons to help your child avoid jet lag. They will enjoy the trip so much more, and you will avoid coping with a cranky child.

To help your child avoid jet lag:

• Keep your child hydrated. This is probably one of the key aspects of avoiding jet lag. Make the fluid water, if possible. If your child won't drink straight water, try using water with just a splash of juice. Also choose foods that will hydrate, like fruits and vegetables.
• Feed your child healthy foods. Junk food will just exacerbate the problem. Be sure you pack plenty of healthy snacks.
• Get them on the new time zone. If possible, prepare them for the new time zone before your trip by shifting their schedule little by little. If you can't do this, try to keep the child awake the first day until the local bedtime. Also, be sure to wake them the next day at the local morning time.
• Be sure they get rest. Use these child sleep travel tips to ensure your little one is well-rested at your new destination.
• Get your child moving. A good, brisk walk in a new city is a great way to help your child's body cope with jet lag. Another great option is a visit to the hotel pool. Also, encourage your child to get up and walk around frequently on the plane.

Your next trip will be much more fun for everyone if your child, and you also, avoid jet lag with these tips.

Related articles:

• Child Sleep Travel Tips
• Flying with Baby
• Healthy Kid Snack Ideas
• Pack a Super-Mom Travel Tote
• Airline Security Checkpoints

The copyright of the article Avoid Jet Lag in Children in Family Travel is owned by Kelby Carr. Permission to republish Avoid Jet Lag in Children in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.

Help your child avoid jet lag

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Jun 19, 2006 9:09 AM

Jill Florio :

Along these lines. If I had a child, I would institute an exploration ritual at each new hotel. I do this on my own anyway as an adult...I wander around and look for things like the pool, lounge, business center, fitness center, quiet public seating areas..I am always curious about how hotels decorate and lay out these things, etc. I bet a curious child would enjoy such a ritual and it does make a wake-up walk more of an "adventure".

Jun 19, 2006 1:19 PM

Jennifer W. Miner :

What a timely article. We have to go to NYC (3,000 miles away) later this week, and I've been trying to figure out...do I help my daughters adjust to the new time zone, <b>or</b> do I just try to keep them on Pacific Standard Time, since we'll be gone only 6 days? What do you think? Thanks - Jen

Jun 19, 2006 5:52 PM

Kelby Carr :

I love your idea of a ritual at hotels. It would also serve to let kids feel more at ease and less like they are sleeping in a strange place.

Jun 19, 2006 5:55 PM

Kelby Carr :

In your situation -- a trip spanning just three hours' difference that is under a week -- I would do something that is a little of both. Put them on an in the middle schedule (i.e. shift everything forward about an hour and a half). That should ease the time change, allow them to get in synch in New York, and minimize the adjustment when they return home...plus, you won't be way off of local time (which can be hard... try putting a kid to bed in daylight, for instance, or meeting peoplefor lunch at 4 p.m.! heheh).

I would start it gradually now. Let them stay up a half hour late a couple days, then an hour late a couple days.

Jun 21, 2006 2:28 PM

Jill Florio :

Have any good tips for adults, btw?

Jun 21, 2006 7:23 PM

Kelby Carr :

Actually, much of the same tips... with the addition that it's best to avoid or minimize alcohol... of course, I say that but I love having a drink or two while flying. If you are going to, just drink two glasses of water for each alcoholic drink you have... dehydration is one major component of jet lag.

And, whatever you do, stay UP until local bedtime when you get to your destination. Don't be tempted to relax at your new hotel and take a nap!! Get out and wander at least the local neighborhood... get a coffee at a sidewalk cafe. You don't need to hike a mountain, but get some sunlight and fresh air.

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