Question about putting babies to sleep elsewhere

So my SIL and her family just moved down here(NC.) Its great because we are all really close, more like friends really. When we all lived in NY we would get together a few times a week and have dinner and drinks. They have 3 kids. The house we are living in now does not really work for having people over since Ronan's room is right off the main living space.

So: we have been going over to my SIL's house. We have 2 pack and plays in different rooms over there. The rooms are quiet and dark and they have their loveys. The DO NOT want to sleep over there. They freak when we try to lay them in the PNP. They have slept in them before though when we have traveled etc. and had no issue. So we have been rocking them after some time of CIO. Nnow while my kids do not sleep through the night yet-they do go to sleep fairly well and can soothe themsleves to sleep at home.

My husband thinks it will take them weeks to get used to this arrangement a few nights a week. I am scared that if we start messing with their falling asleep that it will create larger problems. However we did discuss before we had kids that we would try to do as much as we could and get them used to new situations.

So has anyone been there? We would probably be putting them to sleep over there a few nights a week. Then when one wakes up to eat we put them in the car and head home. Occasionally we may sleep over there. Please share your honest opinion about what I should do. Thanks

Re: Question about putting babies to sleep elsewhere

how old are they again?

What if you try to replicate there room at home? Bring the lovey and try to make the room as dark as possible.

Re: Question about putting babies to sleep elsewhere

Re: Question about putting babies to sleep elsewhere

When we go to my parents I have the same CD that we play for her at home and she always has her binkie and blankie.

Is there anything that you do routinely with them at home that you could do there?

Re: Question about putting babies to sleep elsewhere

I agree with 5ofClubs on the routine.

That is big with my ds, no matter where we take him - he is pretty good with sleeping everywhere, as long as we have 'some reminder' from home.

i wish you luck!

Re: Question about putting babies to sleep elsewhere

Is there another part of your typical bedtime routine missing? I find that DD looks for us to read to her before bed and can get cranky if we forget when putting her to self in a new environment. I also agree that it will just take some time to get used to the change.

Re: Question about putting babies to sleep elsewhere

When we went to Disney the boys had no issues going to sleep because I had the same CD playing for them that I do every night at home. Other than that I don't know why they went to bed so easy lol!

Re: Question about putting babies to sleep elsewhere

Re: Question about putting babies to sleep elsewhere

Re: Question about putting babies to sleep elsewhere

i think they will get used to it if you just let them CIO.

I am going through this now. I spend a lot of times at my parents in the summer and Katie is having a hard time napping in the PNP. I have been letting her cry it out and she has been crying less and less lately.

Re: Question about putting babies to sleep elsewhere

We also bring DD's bedtime CD with us wherever we go and her stuffed Snoopy that she sleeps with at home.

It may just take them a little time to adjust like your DH said. It's a new environment and I'm sure they can sense that.

Re: Question about putting babies to sleep elsewhere

Re: Question about putting babies to sleep elsewhere

Well we just do the exact same bedtime routine (as close as possible). Sometimes it works and he goes out with no problem, other times he wants to be part of the party (this past weekend he was up till 9/9:30 and usually goes to bed at 6:30 ). I know it's hard to let them CIO and even harder when you aren't home. I would just keep trying and eventually they will get used to it

BTW, that YoGabba song is now in my head "keep trying, keep trying, don't give up"

Re: Question about putting babies to sleep elsewhere

here are some random thoughts:

- does their house smell differently - not in a bad way, but do they use any scented candles or air fresheners that may bother them?

- maybe the PNP mattress is too hard compared to their cribs?

That's all I can think of!

Re: Question about putting babies to sleep elsewhere

My kids take after me- they hate sleeping anywhere other than their own home. That's totally one of my own down falls so I never push for vacation.
Everytime we went away bed time was usually an issue- nothing major but harder than usual.

I never did the CD thing but that sounds great. I might try that with the new baby.
Sorry I have no advice. I wanted to comment anyway!

Re: Question about putting babies to sleep elsewhere

mikayla was never good at sleeping elsewhere as we did not do it alot

I think the more you do it, the more they will accept it.....

Re: Question about putting babies to sleep elsewhere

This may sound really dumb, but do you change them into their pajamas and stuff just like you would at home?

Re: Question about putting babies to sleep elsewhere

Have you tried letting them falll asleep first in the swing or car seat? Maybe that will help. Good luck

Re: Question about putting babies to sleep elsewhere

Do you have a mattress in the PNP? Or just the regular pad/basinett? I agree with Tine maybe the PNP is too hard? I know this was the case for my youngest. The mattress helped tremendously.

If you do have a mattress...Hopefully it will just take some time more time for them to get used to the new environment.

Re: Question about putting babies to sleep elsewhere

Thanks everyone-some great suggestions here-I think I will get the better PNP mattress and bring over the lullaby DVD plus add another white noise machine for Declan. Now I just need a U haul to get it all over there

Re: Question about putting babies to sleep elsewhere

Just a question-- when you do this, do you wake them up and then bring them home to their cribs?

It is weird that they do that, but if being a parent has taught me anything-- it's that babies are weird.

Like everyone else, I would try to replicate the home routine as much as possible. I have been at my mom's for 2 weeks, and we put Sasha's mobile over the PNP, so she sees and hears basically the same thing as when she is in her room. She has gone to sleep ok every night we've been here-- stayign asleep was another issue.