How to beat jetlag when you've arrived to a new time zone? Not only do you have to fight off your own jetlag, but you will also need to help your kids and or baby prepare through the tired days and night wakings. Here are a few tips that we have learned over the years and from other experienced moms too.

1) Book your flight to arrive to your destination during daytime. We usually aim to arrive in the mornings so there are time in between for short naps and activities. You wouldn't want to arrive while shops are closed and catching fresh air walking in the dark! Sometimes a walk to the pharmacy to grab what you didn't bring (ie. diapers) can help break a tired spell too. 

2) Keep you little one and yourself fully hydrated and more at all times after the flight. It is best to flush out toxins and staying hydrated helps the body get over jet lag quicker

3) Try to follow your usual routine in your new time zone best you can. If your child is old enough to understand, you can start explaining to them what time differences are and that everyone will try to adjust. For younger babies, you may need to feed them more frequently until they're adjusted and don't refuse feeds!

4) Night wakings would be the worst for us. Try to sleep when your child does so atleast you have had some sleep and the energy for night wakings. This will last a couple of nights depending on the time difference but keep the ambience as night time so your child is clear that it is night time. Try not to turn on any screens (tv or ipad) as it may wake your child up even more. Tell him/her a story in the dark and try to stay in bed if you can. Last resort, if none works and they're really wide awake, sit with them while they play quietly with some quiet time toys or drawing. Remember to keep lighting as dim as possible.

5) During the day, avoid naps or long naps if possible. 

6) Bedtime, push it as far back as you can in hopes for sleeping through the night (ie. 9pm instead of the usual 7:30pm)

7) Take familiar sleep cues with you, such as a favourite bedtime book, a sleep toy or a comforter. If you have enough room in your suitcase, take your child's cot sheet, which smells of home and often helps babies and toddlers adjust in the first few days of sleeping in a new location

Good luck! Jetlag is no fun but there certainly are ways to help everyone get over it quicker and happier.