Flashback: Sleeping Arrangements for a Preschooler

When we were researching our trip to Russia and Austria I read a couple of books and articles that recommended co-sleeping with small children when you travel. Co-sleeping means that your child shares a bed with you.

The recommendation made sense. Parents represent home, so the logic follows that co-sleeping gives the child a sense of security on a scary trip.

People fall passionately on both sides of co-sleeping debate.  Jonathan and I take a much more pragmatic stance.  We tend to have different rules for travel, then we do at home. At home we do not co-sleep (although a 4 a.m. little visitor is not turned away). So for our 23 day trip we opted to co-sleep with Xander.

It turned out to be a good decision. Xander was instantly scared and homesick. Our first night in Frankfurt he cried that he wanted to go home.  Jonathan and I were at a loss. We reassured him, telegraphed everything that was happening and that he could expect, but he needed more comfort.

Co-sleeping helped him feel secure, and affirmed that we were going to be with him the entire trip.  His homesickness subsided by the time we got to Austria, and co-sleeping was an invaluable tool.

It is also easier to book a hotel room. You don't need to ask for a trundle or a separate bed for your preschooler.

Once home it did take us several weeks to transition Xander back to his own bed ... but we still think that co-sleeping is a positive technique to use when traveling. Even on short trips we opt to co-sleep with the boys if possible.