Naps and Bedtime out of the house

Hi Debbie,
 
I have been invited to a friends house sat and am not sure what to do because as you explained I could bring my play pen and put him to sleep in there at bed time but I still have to take him out and put him in the car.  My question is this, since I need to take him, dress him and put him in the car and then transfer to bed couldn't I not put him in the play pen but rather at 7:30 get ready to go in the car, let him fall asleep in the car on the way home and transfer him once to bed, assuming he stays awake.  If not and he wakes up then I need to wait half hour or so for him to go to sleep from waking up from the car.  Or do I just not go at all if they can't host earlier?
 
Thank you,
Valeria

Hi Valeria  

I always encourage families to go out with their babies. I wouldn't want any mother to feel isolated or tied to her baby's schedules and routines. If you are staying at your friends house past baby's' bed time, setup a playpen in a quiet room, use your white noise machine and follow the same routine or similar that you would at home. When its time to go home, have everything ready and packed to go. While you dress baby and put him in the car seat dad can quickly pack up your playpen. Once in the car baby will probably fall back asleep and you can just transfer him into his bed. If baby wakes up, follow your sessions until he goes back to sleep. Sometimes, offering him a few sips of water can also help.   If you are leaving your friends how before or at bed time. Feed your baby and oput him in the car. Once you get hom you transfer him into his bed. If baby wakes up, follow your sessions until he goes back to sleep. Sometimes, offering him a few sips of water can also help. Do not keep him up or entertain him if he wakes, this is a wrong message. Bedtime is different then nap times. If you are coming home at a nap time and baby wakes up then I would keep him up for an hour before attempting a nap. Daytime is different.  
Hope this helps!
Debbie