Moving time zones- any advice for how to ease the process for a baby?

[newcomer]

I'll be moving overseas when Baby Newcomer is about 8/9 weeks old, and will be going to quite a different time zone. Has anyone moved zones with a baby and, if so, do you have any advice re how to ease the transition for the baby? The only things I had been thinking was to get baby outside during the day when I get there to help his natural body clock, and to keep nighttime quiet and dark, but other than that is it just a case of playing it by ear?

At the same time, we'll need to move Baby Newcomer from a Moses basket in our room to a cot in his own room (albeit right next to our room) as our bedroom will be small and there will simply be no room for a basket/cot. Any advice for that transition as well? Did your babies complain about the move to a larger sleeping area? He seems very young to be in a big cot but I guess we don't have much choice and I figure that plenty of babies are in cots right from the first night, so hopefully it won't be too distressing for him after a few unsettled nights?

All advice gratefully received!

[nymom]

I traveled quite often to NY in my son's first year. It took about 5-6 days to get the 5 hour difference covered. I think they say it takes about one day per hour difference. As we were going back in time the first night he would go to bed around 5 pm after me keeping him up after the flight there but would wake at 2am. I would try to add another nap in the day and each day try to keep him up a little later. The first few days he was very tired as continued to wake early - 3am, 330 am etc. Until eventually I got him to wake between 630 and 7am.

[Pickle]

I always do exactly as you have suggested when we travel to NZ - keep a good day/night distinction, get outside in the fresh air and sunshine as much as you can for the first few days. I found the younger they are the easier it is.

Good luck!

[newcomer]

Thank you nymom and Pickle.

[apenn]

Have no suggestions to add to the above, but just to say that when we've traveled to NY he's usually fine the first day, a little cranky on day 2, very cranky hard to put down on day 3, and then he gets settled into a routine. About to find out what he'll be like traveling at 10 months . . .

[nicolemodesti]

Same as Pickle when we travel to Aus....it is easier when younger! Good luck with your move!