Need Advice on How to Put My 9 Month Old to Sleep at Someone Else's House

Take the babies favorite toys with you. Once you are there give the baby there favorite blanket or toys.

I used a travel bed that I first setup at home so my children were used to sleeping in it, and it smelled of "home". Then when we went out, they were in a familiar bed.

Get a pack and play. We visited my dad in Florida when my son was 15 months old. It worked out perfectly he slept just like we were at home.

It gets tricky at this age when they are aware of the surroundings and don't want the party to end or leave the party. We never found we needed more than a stroller and special blankie at this age as long as we weren't staying overnight. He may conk out in a stroller either in a quiet room or right in the room where you are but probably not until after his normal bedtime.

We bought a pack & play for my son to sleep in at other people's houses and my 1 year old son still fits just fine in it. We just keep it in the car trunk all the time. You don't have to get one of the expensive ones. This is the one I have, but in a different color.
http://www.toysrus.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2786140

I also bought a nice quilted sheet that stays on better than the regular pack & play sheets which tend to come off. We make sure my son has his special blanket with him and put him to sleep in a quiet area of the house. Just follow the same sleep routine that you have at home.

HI R.,

I agree with both Ellen and Hannah. My husband and I visit friends and family often and swear by our pack and play. It is in our trunk, so that no matter who we go to visit, we don't fell rushed to leave. Instead we set it up in a room and our son sleeps straight through. I would start by using it at home(familiar territory), so that your baby can start getting used to it. Mine is only used for sleeping, we do not leave our son in it with toys to play, so that he associates it with sleep and doesn't fuss.
Take care and enjoy your weekly dinners. ;-)

D.

Hopefully this helps. We put our two kids to sleep at other people's houses all the time because they go to bed early and it gives us some nice adult time. We use a pack n play with the little one. Right when we get there we set everything up and show them the room they will go to bed in. Then at bed time we just do the same exact routine as at home just a shorter version (you know so instead of 3 or 4 books just one - maybe tell them before you go just one and let him pick or just take his favorite). So if you have a nightlight, special blankie or whatever - bring it. If you leave the door open do the same, etc. It's worth it to take a 15 or 20 minute break to get them settle so then you can enjoy the rest of your evening. I don't know how sensitive your little guy is to change but our older one was very sensitive. So when we acted like it was just like home it seemed to work like it actually was! Good Luck!

Hi R.,
I went away for a weekend and just brought my playpen with me. My son woke up a few times but he did sleep in it. I'm currently reading "No cry sleep solutions" by Dr. Sears. It suggests in the book it your having trouble getting baby to nap to put them in stoller and rock to sleep. That might also work for you when you go to your friends. Another idea. I just bought my 9month old a new car seat. I got safety first Alpha omega seat. It comes off the base and has a little stand so it can sit on it's own. It also reclines. It has a pillow and nice cushioning so it would be comfortable to sleep. Just a few ideas. Take care!

HI R.
We used to do the same thing. We would bring a pack n play and it up in another room and my Daughter would cry the first 5 min or so but then she would lay down and go to sleep. I would bring his favorite stuffed animal and blanket so he feels comfortable in it. It's a pain to lug around so maybe since you go once a week you could leave it there.
Hope this works for you

D.

I totally agree with Ellen- a pack-n-play is a wonderful, inexpensive, portable crib! And yeah, those quilted sheets make a big difference.

If you put it in a very dark room, away from noise, then he'll sleep ok. It may be rough the first couple of times, but he'll figure it out. You can also help him along, by occasionally using it for nap times at home.

Will you both spend the night? That may be easier for him, rather than just putting him down for a late nap. Plus, it's fun to have that friend time!

Get a pack n play, put him in. He goes to sleep. You
have dinner.

Are you spending the night there? If so, a pack and play is a great option. If you are waking him and going home, I have an answer that may be unpopular. I would change my plans so that they don't interfere with his bedtime. Maybe dinner can start earlier? For special occasions, you do what you have to, but once a week can mess with your sleep routine. You are at a crucial time for developing good sleep habits. Your son is becoming aware of the world outside him and will soon be more independent. While some people have kids that sleep anywhere, anytime, I do not. I think that sticking to a schedule and a routine is important.

Hi R.,

When my son was a baby and we went to my Mom's, I had a portable play pen or pack n' play. He used it until he was about 2 1/2. After that, my Mom would just sleep with him in her bed. Of course, it took him a while to get used to the play pen, but he did fine. Hope this helps.

we always used our pack and play...and I kept it set up at home also for use as a play pen...my kids were all used to it and never had problems. Even my "fussy one" does okay with it.

It's also good to have a spot to "plop them in" at home because you can't always be there to hold them, when making dinner, vacuuming, etc...

Def. bring their "snuggies" with them, blankie, animal, paci...to keep them comfy.

best wishes,
J.

try a portable swing. Mine always loved that. Although if you get a pack n play travel crib, etc...) then your baby will have to get used to it. It might not be too late. It will come in handy for a long time to come!

We have been going to friends houses and staying past bedtime since my daughter was born and once she was sleeping in her crib at home, we started putting her in a pack n play (walmart sells a cheap sturdy version) we also bring her pacifier, Nunu(bear) and sound machine and now at 21 months she walks right up stairs to "her room" at one friends house and goes to sleep no problem. When we are ready to leave we just gather her up, sometimes after midnight (so she sleeps about 5 hrs there)! She always goes right back to sleep when we get home. I think this is a great habit to get into, makes any travel easier:-)

get a pack-n-play. you'll use it whenever you have to travel. great investment.