Have your child sleep like royalty on a long night time plane ride

Whether you are traveling on a cross-country or transatlantic plane ride, having your child (or children) sleep well is important! Having good and quality sleep sets your vacation up for success. 

Does this sound familiar? You take a long flight and didn’t sleep a wink because your kids didn’t sleep. If so, the below 10 step guide should help you and your children (and you) sleep well on your next long cross-country or transatlantic flight. Most of these tips are best for nighttime flights, to see tips for long daytime flights, check out this post. 

Top 12 ways to get your child to sleep on a night time flight:

Those 12 tips help my children sleep well on long nighttime plane rides and I hope they work well for you!

1. Discuss the flight days before you leave

Kids love routine and understanding what they are about to do. Talking with them beforehand and get them excited to sleep on a plane. Read books about flying in an airplane to help them understand what it will be like.

2. Set expectations

Prepare them ahead of time so they understand your expectations. “Bed time will be on the flight and not in their crib”

3. Treat it like a regular bedtime

Kids like routine and a plane ride can be treated as just like every other night, but this time they’re on a plane

4. Take a late flight

By late i don’t mean too late, more like around your children’s bedtime late. Even though your kids may be very excited, it’s important to set expectations that they will be sleeping soon after they get on the plane.

5. Dress your kids in their pajamas before the flight

Even before leaving for the airport, dress them in their PJ’s to get them used to the idea of sleeping on a plane. If your child normally has a bath before bed, you can include this before they get dressed in their pajamas.

6. Eat dinner right before your flight leave

You can do this either at home or in the airport gate before you board your plane. This will again keep them in their routine of eating before bed.

7. Read their favorite book before they go to bed

Perhaps even a book about flying on an airplane.

8. Wind them down before takeoff

Get them ready for bed as people are boarding the flight or the plane is driving to the runway. Take off can be a bit loud, startling and even exciting for kids. The earlier you get them to sleep, the better! 

9. Use an inflatable travel foot rest pillow

This Inflatable Travel Foot Rest Pillow is a game-changer and helped my two boys rest well on a transatlantic flight! It takes about 1 minute to blow up and then you slide it in the footrest area and your child can lie down flat. 

10. Bring their favorite stuffed animal or blanket

Help them feel comfortable and remind them of their bed with any stuffed animal or blanket they may want.

11. Wear a sleep mask

Some kids may not like these, but if they do they’re a lifesaver. They make the plane pitch black. I picked up these ones on Amazon and my kids love them. I even use it in hotels that let in light.

12. Melatonin gummies for kids

Never tried this, but some people have had success

Those 12 tips help my children sleep well on long night time plane rides and I hope they work well for you!