How To Help Your Baby Or Toddler Sleep On A Flight -

Traveling with a baby can be an adventure, filled with both excitement and challenges. One of the most daunting aspects for many parents is ensuring their little one gets enough sleep on the plane. Whether you’re jetting off for a family vacation or visiting relatives, a well-rested baby can make all the difference in your travel experience. In this post, we’ll share 13 tried-and-true tips to help your baby sleep soundly on the plane, making your journey smoother and more enjoyable for everyone on board. From choosing the right flight time to packing essential sleep aids, these strategies will help you and your baby take to the skies with confidence.

Table of Contents

13 Tips To Help You Baby Sleep On A Flight:

Close all the windows that are next to your baby
Offer your baby a bottle or nursing session
Bring a portable sound machine and use it lightly to help reduce outside noise
Position the sound machine between your baby and the main source of noise
Use a cover to help block out light
If your baby sleeps great in a car seat, buy a seat for them (pro tip: having them in a car seat is the safest on a flight) or score a free seat!
Some babies do great when babywearing on the plane so bring a comfortable carrier
Some babies just prefer to be swaddled in their favorite blanket and held in your arms for the fligth
Help them play before the flight to get their energy out
Book a night flight or during their nap (if your little one can take on-the-go naps)
Use baby headphones to block out noise (can be used instead of a sound machine)
Bring their favorite comfort items from home (pacifier, blanket, etc)

Check out this Instagram Video about the 13 tricks to help your little one sleep on a flight.

Using a cover for a flight

Using a cover on a flight can help block out light resulting in better sleep for your baby or toddler. You’ll find that it’s very easy to use a cover when you have a baby in a carseat, but is it possible to use a cover for a lap child? The answer is YES! Check out the video below to learn how!

Check out this Instagram Video to learn how to use a cover for a lap child!

Using a plane bed/seat extender on board

I’ve got a whole blog post dedicated to kid plane beds and seat extenders! If your little one is old enough, this may be something you’d like to consider.

My #1 Tip:

Practice, practice, practice! All babies are different and some will flat out refuse to sleep on a plane despite practicing on-the-go naps at home, but I’ve definitely seen improvement with my own little ones after practicing on-the-go naps while we are at home! This includes getting your little one used to sleeping in your stroller during walks, or maybe taking a car nap while you run errands or maybe even a babywearing nap while you clean the house. Practicing sleeping outside of their nursery is key to helping your little on sleep on the go. I know many people believe that babies will simply just put themselves to sleep when they are tired, but that sure hasn’t been the case for my kids!haha It has taken lots and lots of practice sleeping in different environments.