How to get a 2 yr old to sleep in a hotel room?

[chewbacca]

Help! We are leaving for Disney World on Monday Sept 18 and are staying over night at a hotel by the airport on Sunday. My Dh and I are trying to decide the best way to get DS to sleep on Sunday night. We have to be at the airport by 5:30 AM Monday. We will probably be sharing a bed with him (king size) b/c they only have pack-n-plays, no cribs. DS has never slept with us, he went from the bassinet to the crib. They also have a fold out couch but I am afrid that he will roll out onto the floor. I thought of not giving him a nap so maybe he will be able to fall asleep or give him some Benedryl (DH is a Pharmacist so this was his idea).

Any suggestions?

TIA!

 

[peightonmom]

We just returned with DD who turned 2 last week. She slept fine with us. She usually sleeps in her own full size be,d occasionally with us. We all just laid down at the same time and she went to sleep. I hope all goes well , and that you all get good rest and have a great time.

 

[Lizzy2]

Well, if your DH is a pharm. and knows for sure that it won't hurt DS I say go for it. Based on my experience and reading some other posts around here this probably won't be an easy experience. Two year olds aren't known for their ability to fall asleep in strange places. My DD is 5 and she still doesn't fall asleep easily unless she's at home or at my Mom's where she has spent considerable time and has her own room.( I know my Mom's a wee bit indulgent ) Another tip is to take as much stuff from home as you can. Blankets, teddies, even sheets and mattress cover because these things will smell like home and will probably seem soothing to him. Good Luck!

 

[tjmw2727]

I would try the PnP first to see if he gets comfy in it, its not ideal but it may work for one night and it won't hurt to try. FWIW, my kids actually liked the PnP even when they were on the boarderline of being too big because they felt snung - kind of like when they were swaddled as babies I guess? I did bring my own sheets for a familiar feeling and smell.

Otherwise just put him in between you and dh and hope for the best or see if they have bedrails. Many hotels do provide them (WDW does) you can put them on the king and have one adult sleep on the pull out couch.

Remember it is only one night and if you tense up he will as well, even though its the airport your starting your vaction so relax and go with the flow. Oh, if there is a pool that always tired my kids out no matter what

TJ

 

[lovesmurfs]

Benedryl always backfired on me with the kids -- made them bounce off the walls (they're ADHD, so maybe that has something to do with it, too).

Good luck.

 

[Merriwind]

When DD was little, one of us usually slept with her in hotel rooms. We did Benadryl for her first plane ride (on the advice of her DR) and it worked fine. Be careful, though, it can go either way--knock 'em out or rev 'em up. You may want to be careful on skipping the nap too. That can lead to a wired, rather than sleepy child.

For one night, I am sure it will work out. If he's really pooped, he can sleep on the plane. Try the pnp, if it doesn't work, 2A, one preschooler on a king bed should work well.

Enjoy your trip!

 

[labdogs42]

If he can't sleep between you, could you put the pull out sofa mattress on the floor? I know my DS would probably love to sleep on that. My DS is 19 months and we're headed to WDW this weekend with him (hopefully) sharing a bed with us, too. We'll see how it goes! Good Luck!

 

[scavon]

My girls have both amazed me when we go on trips. On our first trip to WDW last year, my then 1 1/2 year old refused to sleep in the PnP. She loved the idea of sleeping in the big bed. So she did, with pillows all around her. Her big sister ended up sleeping on the floor with her ready bed. Definitely bring items that will make him feel at home and a night light.

 

[kg66]

The PnP is going to depend on if he has ever slept in one before. We are campers so since that was going to be her bed when we camped, we started putting her down for her after noon naps in it when she was only a few months old. Therefore it was never foreign to either of my daughters whether we were camping, in a motel or visiting someone. I never had to worry about if they would sleep away from home, it was like it was their own bed. Good luck.

 

[Danja]

 

[minkydog]

So does Jack Daniels,but I wouldn't recommend it for a 2yo

I would suggest getting to the hotel early enough for your child to look around a bit and play in the pool. After pool time, a warm bath, a book and off to night-night for him.

Benedryl might or might now work for you.You probably will want to try it a time or two before you leave. My two older kids would go to sleep on it, but #3 The one and only time we gave it to him(for allergies) he lost his ability to control his muscles and spent 8hrs flopping from one end of the couch to the other,crying the whole time. Never again.

Good luck. If nothing else, you all can stay up all night watching movies and sleep on the plane

 

[Lizzy2]

My girls have both amazed me when we go on trips. On our first trip to WDW last year, my then 1 1/2 year old refused to sleep in the PnP. She loved the idea of sleeping in the big bed. So she did, with pillows all around her. Her big sister ended up sleeping on the floor with her ready bed. Definitely bring items that will make him feel at home and a night light.

Ooo.. a nightlight! Good idea!!! on the list it goes for October!
You rock!