TL;DR: Can your kid actually sleep on a plane? Maybe. But you’ll need strategy, snacks, and enough emotional flexibility to accept that they might not. Here’s how to improve your odds and preserve your sanity.
Plane sleep is already a fever dream for adults — too loud, too bright, and somehow both freezing and sweaty at the same time. Now toss a toddler into the mix and you’re entering next-level chaos. But with the right prep, a little realism, and a couple of curveball hacks, sleep can happen. Here’s how to tilt the odds in your favor.
Should You Expect Your Toddler to Sleep on a Plane?
Hoping your toddler will sleep is fine. Expecting them to? That’s a fast track to heartbreak.
They’re in a metal tube, in unfamiliar clothes, surrounded by strangers, weird smells, and snack carts that never arrive when you need them. Even with the best planning, you’re gambling. So reframe your goal: create the conditions for sleep — then get comfy with whatever happens next.
Best Time to Fly with a Toddler for Better Sleep
Red-eyes? Ideal. Day flights? Like trying to put a sugar-hyped raccoon down for a nap in a rave.
If you can book a night flight, do it. If you can’t — aim for at least some overlap with their usual nap or bedtime. But avoid the trap of running them ragged pre-flight thinking they’ll “sleep better.” Overtired toddlers aren’t sleepy — they’re possessed.
How to Create a Bedtime Routine on the Plane
Don’t just hope they’ll wind down. Help them get there with a mini routine — as close to your normal bedtime steps as possible:
- Change into pajamas in the airport or right after takeoff.
- Brush teeth (yes, bring that tiny toothbrush — the novelty might actually work in your favor).
- Read the usual story.
- Say goodnight just like at home.
Narrate it for them: “First we do jammies, then we brush teeth, then it’s story time, and then we snuggle and rest.” You’re cueing their brain to switch gears — even if you’re doing it while balanced awkwardly on the edge of an airplane seat.
Best Airplane Seats for Toddler Sleep
Not all seats are created equal. Go for:
- Window seat: Great for leaning and blocks out distractions.
- Middle seat between parents: Containment mode activated.
- Bulkhead with bassinet: The holy grail — book early, confirm aggressively.
Oh, and don’t trust that the airline will just “know” to give you a good seat. They won’t. They never do. Get annoying about it.
What to Pack for Better Sleep on a Plane
Comfort is king (or at least less chaos-inducing):
- Familiar pajamas
- Favorite blanket or lovey
- White noise app or noise-canceling headphones
- Storybook, bottle, pacifier — whatever is part of your routine
And the secret weapon? A sleep tent or cover like the CoziGo. Think of it as a blackout fort that fits over the bassinet or seat. If your airline allows it, this thing can transform your seat into a toddler nap cave. But practice using it at home first so your kid doesn’t act like you’re trapping them in a space pod.
How to Reduce Light and Noise on the Plane
Planes are loud. Bright. Overstimulating.
Do your best to block the world:
- Drape a muslin cloth or hoodie over the seat for shade
- Turn off the overhead light
- Dim the screen (yes, your screen too)
And don’t forget to manage expectations before you fly — if your toddler is used to blackout blinds and total silence, give them a few pre-trip practice naps in less-than-ideal conditions. Basically, teach them to nap in a war zone. Gently.
Help Toddlers Get Comfortable in Their Airplane Seat
Little bodies get fidgety fast. Options:
- Inflatable footrest pillow (if allowed)
- Rolled-up sweatshirt as a leg prop
- Your lap — prepare to lose all feeling below the waist
Bonus tip from veteran flyers: if you’re using a travel bed or footrest platform, practice setting it up. Let your toddler use it at home. Normalize it so you’re not doing an impromptu demo at cruising altitude.
What to Do if Your Toddler Won’t Sleep on the Plane
No one ever won a power struggle with a toddler. If sleep isn’t happening, shift gears:
- Quiet snacks
- Cuddles
- A calm show on low volume
Sometimes they crash mid-grumble after you’ve stopped trying. Sometimes they don’t. You didn’t fail — you just lost this round of baby roulette.
Final Thoughts on Helping Toddlers Sleep on Flights
If you walk off the plane and no one cried for more than 30 minutes straight? That’s a win. If your kid slept and you didn’t have to bribe them with 17 snacks and a new iPad game? That’s the jackpot.
You’re not looking for perfection. You’re just trying to keep the wheels from falling off long enough to reach your destination.
Got a sleep hack for traveling with little ones?
Share it in the comments and help out your fellow sleep-deprived crew.
