Top Tips to Help Your Toddler Sleep on a Plane

Traveling with a toddler on an airplane can be a daunting experience for any parent. Trying to keep them entertained during the flight, while also ensuring they get enough rest is no small feat. However, getting your toddler to sleep on a plane doesn’t have to be impossible! Getting sleep on a flight at the right time can be key to beating jet lag so it is worth the effort. With some thoughtful planning and preparation, you can make sure your toddler has a smooth and comfortable journey. Here I’ll share my top tips that parents can use to help their toddler sleep on a plane. From packing the right items in advance to using creative distractions mid-flight, here is all the advice you need for successful toddler sleep while traveling!

Of course, these are suggestions that will absolutely increase the chance of sleep for your toddler while traveling. However, nothing is a sure bet when toddlers are involved. Even if you do all the right things, sleep may escape your kiddo. You are still a great parent and remember this is just temporary.

Plan for the worst, and hope for the best. Your kids will almost always surprise you.

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How to Get a Toddler to Sleep on the Plane

Choose the Right Flight Time

To give your toddler the best chance of sleeping on a plane, it’s important to pick the right time to travel. As much as possible try to time flights near times when they would normally be sleeping. Then you’ll be working with their bodies signals instead of against them.

For long-haul flights, I find that overnight is generally best. This way they are actively tired and your job is simply to try and create conditions that allow them to fall asleep.

On short-haul flights, either mid-morning or just before nap time is ideal. A morning flight will actually lead to a generally happy toddler not necessarily sleep. However, an afternoon flight near nap time can work. By carefully timing your flight and preparing in advance with the right gear and comfortable clothing, you can maximize your toddler’s chances of getting some shut-eye while flying!

Bring plenty of toddler friendly activities for the plane in case they don't sleep plus for the times when they are awake on a flight before and after they sleep.

Get Your Toddler a Seat

After the age of two, you won’t have a choice about buying your toddler their own seat for your flight. But if you are flying with a toddler under two and want to increase the odds that they fall asleep, then purchase an extra seat for them. It may be worth the extra cost of the seat to not have them fly as a lap infant. Having their own space allows for more room to spread out and get comfortable. This can make all the difference in helping them drift off to sleep! Not to mention it will be much more comfortable for you, the parent, to not have them in your space for an entire long (or short) flight.

Pick your Seats Wisely

When flying with a toddler, picking the right seat on the plane is of utmost importance. Where in the aircraft your seats are located can make a difference. It’s important to pick a spot that will provide your toddler with their best chance of sleeping on the plane, away from distractions such as restrooms and meal prep areas. Additionally, if possible pick a window seat or middle seat which will dampen the noise from passers-by and food carts. Putting an adult in the aisle seat can help to have easy access for getting up and down during the flight.

Talk to Your Toddler about Flying Beforehand

Start talking to your kiddo about what to expect starting as early as a few days in advance. Talk about boarding an airplane, and how there will be seatbelts and a food cart. Explain how the flight attendants will bring drinks and snacks and then the lights will dim and it will be time to sleep. Talk about it multiple times so that they remember and there are fewer surprises.

This can help flying feel more familiar and predictable even if this is your toddler’s first flight. Setting expectations so that they know when to go to sleep during the flight and understand what is going on around them can be very helpful in keeping young kids calm and comfortable.

Consider Bringing Your Car Seat

Bringing a car seat on board for your toddler can be a great way to ensure that they get the best sleep possible while flying. If your toddler already sleeps well in their car seat, having it with them on the plane ride may help them ease into sleep more quickly and comfortably. If you’ve purchased a seat for your kiddo then simply bring your carseat with you through airport security and you’ll be able to bring it onto the plane. However, there are some things to consider before bringing the car seat onto the plane.

First off the car seat must be FAA approved. You can find out if yours is by locating the sticker on your car seat. Secondly, if your child hates sleeping in their car seat normally, they will most likely still hate it on a plane. It will also prevent them from being able to lie flat during the flight. Although traveling in a car seat is the safest way for a child to travel according to the FAA, you have to do what is right for your child and your travel situation in this case.

Burn off Energy Before the Flight

Young children have energy that needs to be burned off and if not done before boarding the plane, it can result in restless and cranky kids during the flight. To avoid this situation make sure your toddler is ready for take-off by keeping them active before boarding.

Don’t keep young kids in strollers or carriers the whole time you are in the airport. Instead encourage them to run around, play games, and walk through the terminal. Better to use up their energy in the airport than have a hyper toddler on the plane. Wearing them out will also get them ready to sleep on a plane sooner rather than later in the flight.

Tips for Flying with Young Kids:

Don’t Try to Tell Kids to Sleep Too Soon

This may feel counterintuitive but if you start pushing sleep too early during the flight, before takeoff for example, then they are most likely going to fight you and everyone will get frustrated. Flying is exciting! There are a lot of new things to touch and explore and your toddler probably wants to see it all.

Not to mention all the announcements going on and the food service that happens soon after take-off. Instead, wait up to an hour into the flight before you start suggesting sleep. Once the excitement has died down, you can start introducing sleep signals through routines to encourage toddlers to sleep on the plane.

Bring Snacks and Eat Before Sleep

Always have snacks when going anywhere with a toddler. In my experience, a good snack can ward off most tantrums just a little while longer. On a flight, they serve a double purpose because no one sleeps well on an empty stomach. Use the time between boarding and sleeping to offer your toddler plenty of snacks. This way when it is time to go to sleep they will have a full stomach and be ready to give sleep a try.

You can get your toddler to sleep on a plane with the help of flight essentials like a sound machine, blanket and comfort items like a binkie.

Do Your Normal Sleep Routine

While there is no one-size-fits-all solution for toddler sleep on planes, using a modified version of your toddler’s normal bedtime routine can help get them in the mood to sleep during the flight. For example, if you always take a bath before bed at home, then give a wipe bath on the plane. Bring a book to read, brush their teeth, etc. Try to make the two routines as similar as possible. With a little bit of preparation, you can help ensure that everyone arrives at their destination feeling rested and refreshed!

White Noise Machine

One of the best toddler travel essentials out there is a portable white noise machine. This simple device helps create an environment that soothes and relaxes your little one, making it easier for them to drift off to sleep during the flight. I use our white noise machine for naps at home but for all periods of sleep while we are traveling. It is so helpful to be able to drown out background noise and create a familiar sleep environment.

Planes themselves are loud and create a lot of white noise so it may feel redundant but I felt it was worth having it on to drown out the noise of the people sitting around us.

White noise machines are lightweight and easy to pack in your carry-on luggage, allowing you to enjoy the convenience of having this essential item at hand whenever your toddler needs some extra help sleeping while traveling.

Bring a Blanket and Favorite Comfort Item

It may also help your child to bring along a favorite comfort item of theirs such as a pacifier if they still use one, a blanket or a stuffed animal that they really love. This continues to help create a space that feels familiar and allows them to relax enough to go to sleep.

I would recommend bringing along a small travel blanket (I use a blanket scarf) on any long-haul flights. Not all airlines provide blankets, the cabin temperature can vary a lot from flight to flight. Plus, I think blankets signal sleep to the brain since we use them constantly at home while sleeping.

Shop Toddler Flight Essentials:

Create a Tent

If you want to try blocking out extra light or blocking distractions from your childs view then create a tent over their head using a spare blanket or jacket. You can use the seat headrest and the tray table to hold it in place.

For my toddler, this was way too fun and actually turned out to be more of a distraction than a useful tool. However, I have heard success stories from other parents who used this trick.

Sometimes it will take longer for toddlers to fall asleep on a plane than usual. It can help to let them watch a movie while laying down. Sleep doesn't always come immediately. Parents may have to try several different sleep hacks before a young child falls asleep on an airplane.

Airplane Bed

Another great toddler travel accessory to help toddlers sleep on a plane is an inflatable airplane bed. These simple and lightweight air mattress-like footrests blow up in minutes, creating a makeshift bed that kids can lie down on while flying. You simply take it out when you’re ready, blow it up and place it between your child’s seat and the seat in front of them. The extra space this provides creates a toddler airplane bed and lets them spread out. Which means they aren’t laying on you the whole flight!

The inflatable options are the most budget friendly. However, there are also ride-on suitcase options for kids that fold out into beds and the suitcase becomes the foot support area. The most well known brand is the Jetkids by Stokke Bedbox. This could be a great option for your family as well, the suitcase can be ridden through the airport and offers storage for toys and snacks on top of folding out into a bed.

These devices are not allowed on all airlines. So be sure to check with your particular airline before you travel so that you aren’t caught off guard.

Pretend to be Asleep

One way to help your toddler go to sleep on a plane is to pretend to be asleep. Kids look up to adults and will often copy what they’re doing. So if you are pretending to be asleep, your toddler might realize it’s time for them to sleep as well. This also removes you as someone to interact with and talk to.

My toddler loves to chat and play when I am in his sight, on the plane is no exception. But if I am asleep and I ignore him when he talks to me or touches me then it is less fun for him and he can settle down.

Watch something Laying Down

As a last resort if we cannot get our toddler to settle down and lay still long enough to fall asleep then I let him watch something on the tablet. Only this time he has to watch it while laying down or leaning on myself or my husband. This way he can easily still fall asleep even through he is getting screen time. This failsafe has worked on every flight so far when all else fails. Usually, within about 10 minutes of tuning on a show he is out cold to the point that I can turn off the screen.

Be Prepared if a Toddler Doesn’t Sleep on a Flight

Try to go into each flight with low expectations. No kid is going to sleep from take-off to landing all the way through. That is simply unrealistic and will only set you up for disappointment when it doesn’t happen. Instead, come prepared with everything you need to keep your child entertained the entire flight such as toys, plenty of snacks, screens and headphones, etc. Then any sleep your toddler gets on the plane is a wonderful bonus.

It can be difficult, especially when you’re overtired yourself, to keep a level head for an entire long overnight flight when dealing with a toddler. If you can, trade off with a partner to try and get sleep yourself and do your best to stay calm.

Toddler Sleep FAQ’s

Can kids sleep on the airplane floor?

No, kids of any age cannot sleep on the floor of a plane. This is considered unsafe and most flight attendants will not let this pass.

Can I give anything to my child to aid in sleep?

You may be considering giving your child a sleep aid to help them sleep better or longer on a flight. Melatonin or Benadryl are common examples that I hear about. Please be aware that Benadryl can have the opposite effect on some kids. So that instead of sleeping they actually become hyper and energetic. Melatonin can also disturb a child’s natural circadian cycle making it harder for them to sleep at the right times later on.

I’ve never used either so I cannot suggest one way or the other. Before using any drugs or medicine on your child be sure to consult your pediatrician and do ample research.

Helping Your Toddler Sleep on the Plane

Family travel certainly comes with unique struggles that no one else deals with. Traveling with a toddler can be stressful, especially when it comes to getting them to sleep on the plane however, it is doable! There are several things you can try to help your toddler sleep on a plane. With the right preparation, you can make it easier for them (and yourself) to get some rest while flying whether it’s a short flight or a long-haul flight.

It’s important to remember that no child will sleep from takeoff to landing from start to finish. Taking these tips into consideration will increase the odds that both parents and kids alike have an enjoyable journey and hopefully get a good amount of sleep!

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