When visiting Grandma's or staying at a hotel, some kids have a hard time falling asleep when they're away from home. The author of The No-Cry Sleep Solution and The No-Cry Sleep Solution for Toddlers & Preschoolers has some ideas for helping smooth the transition to bedtime -- even without the comforts of home.

One in three children under the age of five have nighttime sleep problems. A greater percentage don't want to take a daily nap (even when they need one), and many children present their parents with a mighty battle over bedtime. All of these sleep problems are intensified when children are away from home. Even if your child's sleep habits are perfect, you're bound to see an impact when something disrupts your usual routines. The good news is that with knowledge and planning you can help your child sleep well no matter where you are.

Planning for Vacation Sleep
In the hustle that precedes a trip, it can be easy to let things happen, instead of make things happen. Be proactive in making your trip decisions in regards to sleep-related issues. Address the following issues as you plan your trip:

Does your child sleep well in the car? If yes, plan travel time to coincide with a nap or bedtime so your child can sleep through part of the journey. Bring along a familiar car seat if traveling by airplane or train. Dress him comfortably, take off his shoes, and give him a blanket. He'll likely fall asleep to the hum and vibration of the ride.

If your child doesn't sleep well in the car, plan to leave after a nap or upon waking in the morning. Don't fool yourself into thinking your child will behave differently than usual just because it's a special occasion. Bring along plenty of toys, snacks and activities to keep your child happy.

Is it necessary to make the trip all at once, or can you break it up with stops along the way? The longer your child is strapped in her seat, the more likely she'll become fussy, and the less likely she'll sleep when you need her to. Planning a few breaks can give her the activity and exercise necessary to bring on tiredness. If you're on a long airplane or train voyage use the hallways for walks when your child gets antsy.

Do you have everything you need to make sleep during the trip possible? Items like:

• Window shades to create a darker, nap-inducing atmosphere.
• A cooler for cold drinks; a bottle warmer if needed.
• Your child's favorite blanket, pillow, stuffed animals and pajamas.
• Music, lullabies or white noise on tape or CD. Little ones love using headphones! (Just watch the volume. )
• If driving, a rear-view car mirror to keep an eye on your child (unless a second person will be sitting with your child. )
• Books to read to your child.
• Adult books on tape or quiet music to use during the times when your child is sleeping.
• A battery-operated nightlight or flashlight if you'll be traveling in the dark.

Sleeping in an Unfamiliar Place
Preparation is key to the tricky issue of getting your child to sleep in an unfamiliar place. Obviously, you can't use the exact routines that work at home… but you can follow some of your usual routine and create a similar sleep setting for your child. If your little one sleeps in a crib, for example, you can bring along a portable folding crib and set it up in a bedroom. Let your child sleep in it a few times at home so that it's familiar.

Bring along your child's typical bed-mates, such as his blanket, sheets, pillow, stuffed animals, or lullaby tape. Pack a nightlight to make middle-of-the-night potty runs and diaper changes easier, and so that you can avoid turning on bring lights at night and disrupting sleep cycles. Your night light can also be using during the tucking-in process to create a sleep-inducing environment.

For co-sleepers, your first order of business is to create a safe sleeping place for your child. If you know that pushing the bed against the wall, moving a dresser, or replacing a fluffy comforter with a blanket would make the situation safer, then politely explain to your host. Let her know that you'll move things back before you leave (and then remember to do so). If you're saying in a hotel, the housekeeping staff will often help with this.