You’ve finally landed after what feels like a lifetime in the air. Your toddler has watched 37 episodes of Bluey, eaten approximately five sultanas, refused everything else, and you’ve survived. But now comes the real boss level: toddler jetlag.
Because here’s the thing - toddlers don’t care what time zone they’re in. They just know when they’re hungry, tired, or absolutely determined to play with their toy cars at 2am.
The good news? Jetlag doesn’t last forever, and with a few tricks up your sleeve, you can make the transition a whole lot smoother.
1. Toddler Jetlag Prep Before You Fly 🛫
If you’re travelling across more than a few time zones, you can start adjusting your toddler’s bedtime by 15–30 minutes each night in the days leading up to your trip. Small shifts help ease the shock when you land. Will your toddler notice? Probably not. But you will when you’re not up at 3am on day one.
2. Use Sunshine to Beat Jet Lag with Kids ☀️
One of the best ways to reset your toddler’s body clock is light exposure. Morning sunshine tells their little brains it’s time to be awake, and evening dimness tells them it’s time to wind down. So even if you’re tired, take them outside as much as possible to reset that circadian rhythm. (Also: playgrounds = bonus jetlag cure for both toddler and parents.)
3. Resist the Temptation to Party at 2am 🪩
Right, because you're in the mood to have a dance party when you're in the depths of jet lag 😅 When your little one wakes during those first nights, stick with low stimulation activities and keep the lights dimmed. Try entertaining the wake up for about 45 minutes before repeating the bed time process.
4. Stick to Familiar Toddler Travel Sleep Routines 😴
Toddlers thrive on routine, but jetlag doesn’t care. Try to keep familiar rituals like bath, story, and bed, no matter the time. Your toddler might go to bed earlier or later than usual for a few days, but having those little rituals helps them feel secure and signals “sleep time.”
5. Managing Meals While Traveling with Toddlers 🍴
Their hunger cues will be all over the shop. Let them snack when they need to, and slowly shift meals to local time. A sandwich at 10pm? Go for it. Eventually, their tummy will catch up. Pro tip: stash a few familiar snacks in your HuddoCo Anywhere Backpack so you’re not frantically hunting down crackers at midnight.
6. Toddler Nap Tips for Beating Jet Lag 🥱
The golden rule: don’t let naps run too long, or bedtime will be a party. While you're in the land of jet lag, aim for short naps to take the edge off, and try to have the longest sleep aligned with nighttime at your destination. It won’t be perfect, just aim for “close enough.” Once everyone is adjusted, longer naps might be needed, as holidaying can be very overstimulating for little ones, and they may need extra opportunities to rest their little bodies.
6. Surviving Jet Lag with Kids (and Your Sanity) ✨
If your schedule allows, give yourself a few days of downtime when you get to your destination, while everyone adjusts. Packing the first few days of your trip with a hectic itinerary, isn't going to be a good time for anyone. Here’s the truth: toddler jetlag is messy, and there’s no magic fix. Expect a few rough nights, pack an extra dose of patience, and don’t forget to caffeinate. And if all else fails, just remind yourself that eventually their little body clock will sync and you’ll be back to complaining about 6am wake-ups instead of 2am.
✈️ Travelling with little ones is never seamless, but it’s always worth it. With a bit of planning, a lot of flexibility, and an Anywhere Backpack full of snacks and supplies, you’ll all settle in before you know it.
Happy travels 💚
Love HuddoCo x
