How to Get an Infant to Sleep on Long Flights

A long plane trip with an infant may be easier if the baby sleeps.

A long airplane ride with an infant can cause stress, even with the most seasoned travelers. Through thoughtful scheduling and bringing essential items, a parent can take steps to encourage a baby to sleep through most of a long plane trip. Not only will this make the ride more enjoyable for the infant and parents, but for the other travelers sitting near the family in the plane.

Things You'll Need

• Favorite blanket
• Pacifier or other soothing device
• Baby bottle
• Favorite toys

Instructions

Encourage an Infant to Sleep During a Long Plane Trip

1. 

   Schedule a long flight in the evening, when baby typically sleeps.

   Reserve seats on a flight that is scheduled to leave during the infant's regular sleep schedule. For a cross-ocean flight, schedule to leave in the evening. A flight that is less than 6 hours could be scheduled whenever the infant takes a longer nap so that most of the time is spent sleeping.

2. 

   A window seat works best for getting an infant to sleep.

   Reserve seats by the window. According to USA Today in "How to Get an Infant to Sleep on Long Flights," window seats are not only darker, but there are less distractions of other passengers, airline workers, and noise.

3. 

   An extra seat will provide some room to maneuver.

   Reserve a seat for the baby. While most airlines don't require parents to buy a ticket for an infant, they usually offer them at reduced rates. For a long flight, it is worth it to have a little extra space to buffer you and the baby from the next passenger.

4. 

   Bring any items that will help comfort an infant.

   Bring comfort items. According to Easy Baby Life in "Traveling with Baby?" Anything that makes the infant's sleep situation as normal as possible will be helpful. Pacifiers, favorite blankets, and toys can all help the infant to relax and be able to sleep.

5. 

   Feeding an infant will prevent ear pain on the plane.

   Feed the baby during the plane's ascent to alleviate ear pressure so that the baby doesn't experience lingering pain which could prevent sleep. Have a bottle ready as the plane takes off. The sucking motion will make the infant's ears pop and avoid discomfort.

6. 

   Consider how a time zone change will affect the babies sleeping schedule.

   Consider the time zone. When staying at your destination more than a couple of days, the infants schedule will adjust to that time, so schedule the return flight in response to the new schedule. In "How Time Changes, Vacations, and Temperament will Affect Your Baby's Schedule" Baby Center encourages parents to be mindful of the fact that time flucuations can change a baby's schedule so plan a return flight accordingly.

Tips & Warnings

• Parents can discuss medication options with their pediatrician prior to leaving on a long trip. Some pediatricians will allow the use of an antihistamine such as Benadryl to make infants sleepy during special circumstances. Always try the medication out at home first. While rare, some antihistamines could make an infant more awake or irritable which would be unwelcome on a long airplane ride.

• Be calm. Infants have a way of sensing anxiety in parents, which can in turn result in irritability in the baby. While a long plane trip can cause worry, try not to let it show.

References

• USA Today: How to Get an Infant to Sleep on Long Flights
• Easy Baby Life: Traveling with Baby?
• Baby Center: "How Time Changes, Vacations and Temperament Will Affect Your Baby's Schedule" July 2008