baby c has been travelling since he was 6 months old. and he has been a great traveller. our last trip was to milan and he had no trouble adjusting to the time change. he enjoyed himself thoroughly there. he does well on planes too (after our nightmarish initial flight, he's been good ever since). bear in mind all these trips were done before he turned one.
well, the only trip we have taken since he turned one was to melbourne. he was 14 months. he was great on the flight and when we reached my cousin's home (she has a girl who's 3 1/2 and a boy who's 4 months), he was drawn immediately to the kids. which came as a surprise to b and i as he has NEVER liked other kids. he has always preferred and mingled with adults. he didn't even need to warm up. he just got down and explored the house, making himself at home and playing with the 3 1/2 year old. so everything was perfect (or so we thought).
THEN it began. he was perfect during the days. but when night came, he couldn't settle at all. we were there for 16 days and i kid you not when i say that we probably only slept for 4 nights. how in the world we survived, i don't know. it got so bad that he would cry the whole night through. i had to carry him standing up and rock him. yet he would not stop crying. b and i thought he was not well and we brought him to the hospital only to be told there's nothing wrong with him and $200 poorer.
a couple who travelled with us also had trouble with their 15 month old. she could not settle at nights either. needless to say, they too hardly slept.
well, during the mid-point of our stay there, we finally realised it's because baby c is much older now and much more aware. it didn't matter during the days because he was so busy playing with his cousins and even back here, i usually bring him out. it's the nights that the needs his familiar environment. sort of his security.
well, we were there 16 days, and the only sightseeing we did was to the zoo and to the museum. all i can say is this: we are NOT travelling until he's much older and can understand. (well not overseas and not for long periods anyway).