Sleeping at grandma's: a packing list
Seven things that make a strange room feel like the one at home, and the two you can leave behind.
The short answer: pack the cues, not the furniture. Darkness, sound, the sleeping bag, the comforter, the clock, the same book, and the same words. Leave the mobile and the extra toys at home.
Pack these
1. A blackout curtain. Spare rooms have thin blinds. The portable blackout curtain fits any window in a minute and packs flat.
2. White noise. A house full of family is loud in unfamiliar ways. Dex the Dog or Suzy masks it. Both run on batteries.
3. The sleeping bag. Same one as home. It smells right and it means bed.
4. The comforter or soft toy. Whatever they hold at home.
5. The sleep trainer clock. For toddlers who use one, Sam or Davy keeps the morning rule in place, and runs on four AA batteries if the bedside socket is elsewhere.
6. One book. The usual bedtime one.
7. The same words. Free, and the most important item.
Leave these
Extra toys and anything new. A strange room is stimulating enough. New things go in the day bag, not the bedroom.
For babies in a pram or portacot
The Rest Nest sleep pod pops up over either and makes a dark, quiet space anywhere in the house, which also means the baby can sleep near you rather than in a distant room.
The first night
Expect it to be worse. The second is usually normal. Keep the routine identical and resist the urge to add extra comforting steps you will have to undo at home.
This guide is general information from the Zazu Australia team, not medical advice. If you are worried about your child's sleep, breathing or development, talk to your GP or maternal and child health nurse.
