How To Get Your Small Kid to Sleep on a Plane

If you’re a parent of a small child, you know that travel can be challenging. Not only is there a lot of details and schedules to keep track of but you also have to keep your little one happy and healthy while on the go. A common concern for traveling parents with a small child is getting them to sleep in unfamiliar surroundings. And let’s be honest – getting your kid to sleep on a plane can be a challenge. However, with some planning and preparation and the right parental attitude, it is possible to help your child (and thereby you!) get some rest during the flight.

In this post we share some tips for getting your small kid to sleep on a plane or in airports.

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7 reasons why it can be hard to get a child to sleep on a plane:

Often, the challenge of getting a kid to sleep on a plane is due to the combination of unfamiliar surroundings, noise and light levels, and other distractions. Here are some you should be aware of:

1. The unfamiliar environment: Children may have difficulty falling asleep in an unfamiliar environment, especially if they are not used to sleeping in a confined space.
2. Noise and light: The noise and light levels on a plane can be disruptive to sleep, especially for younger children who are more sensitive to their surroundings.
3. Changes in altitude: Changes in altitude can cause pressure in the ears, which can be uncomfortable for children and interfere with sleep.
4. Excitement: Children may be too excited about the trip to fall asleep, especially if it is their first time on a plane.
5. Time zone changes: If you are traveling across time zones, your child’s body may not be used to the new schedule, which can make it harder for them to fall asleep.
6. Hunger or thirst: A child who is hungry or thirsty may have difficulty falling asleep. Make sure to bring snacks and drinks on the plane to help your child stay comfortable.
7. Disruptions: Children may be more prone to having a hard time falling asleep or waking up during the flight due to disruptions such as turbulence, people talking or walking in the aisle or loud noises.

Our best tips for helping your small child sleep on a longhaul flight:

• Plan your flights around your child’s natural sleep patterns. If possible, try to book flights that coincide with your child’s usual bedtime or naptime.
• Make the seating arrangements as comfortable as possible. Consider booking a seat with extra legroom or bring a small pillow or blanket to help your child get comfortable. If your child is uncomfortable, they’re not going to be able to relax and fall asleep. So, before you even take off, take a few minutes to adjust their seat belt and make sure they have a pillow or blanket.
• Bring familiar items from home to help your child feel more at ease. This could include a favorite stuffed animal, blanket, or a special toy. Having these items with them will help them feel safe and secure, even in an unfamiliar place.
• Bring a small in-flight bed such as the Stokke JetKids BedBox. It’s a really cool kids’ suitcase that can hold all their stuff and then be turned into a leg rest or in-flight bed right in their seat.
• Pack a small bag with items to help your child sleep. This might include earplugs, a sleep mask, or white noise machine.
• Consider using over-the-counter medications to help your child sleep. Some options include melatonin or antihistamines like Benadryl. However, it’s important to speak with your child’s doctor before giving them any medications.
• Keep the cabin lights dimmed and try to limit screen time before bed.
• Bring a thin cover or scarf to close out lights from the cabin.
• If your child is old enough, teach them relaxation techniques like deep breathing or progressive muscle relaxation to help them relax and fall asleep.
• Consider bringing a stroller or carrier for your child to sleep in while at the airport. Some airlines let you bring a car seat that you can strap into an empty seat to have good place to sleep for a baby.
• If your child is having difficulty sleeping, or try walking the aisles.
• Finally, try to stay calm and positive. Children often pick up on their parents’ stress, so try to remain relaxed and reassuring. This is probably the most important thing you can do!

We hope you will find some of these tips helpful but after all you have to do a little bit of trial and error. If you are confident that it is going to work out, it will in the end!

If you are planning to fly with your kids soon, also do check our tips for keeping kids entertained on a plane.

Final words

With a little bit of planning and these simple strategies, you can help your small kid get some much-needed rest on even a longhaul flight. Just remember to stay calm, bring a few familiar items and make sure they are comfortable, and you’ll be well on your way to getting everyone safely – and peacefully – to your destination.