Berkeley Parents Network: Getting Kids to Sleep during Plane Trip

Berkeley Parents Network

Getting Kids to Sleep during Plane Trip

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Getting a toddler to sleep on the plane
Ensuring 18-mo-old twins sleep on the plane

Getting a toddler to sleep on the plane

August 2004

We are flying back East with my 18 month old at the beginning of August on a non-stop flight. When we took this same flight in May, my then-15 month old, who always sleeps on the plane, and who usually takes a 3 hour nap, slept all of 20 minutes. And the flight was during her usual nap time! Needless to say, she was overtired and wired by the end of the flight (and I was exhausted). The return flight, I managed to get her to sleep for an hour by holding her while she slept.

My daughter is extremely active so being couped up for 6 hours is challenging as it is. We've tried Benadryl and that just hypes her up. Does anyone have any suggestions as to how I can get her to sleep on the plane? We have a seat for her but are not taking her car seat since she won't sit in it anyway. We're going to go the DVD route but I still want her to sleep so she isn't so crazed by the end of the flight. Any suggestions will be greatly appreciated. We leave Aug. 2. shari

Try passionflower, either in tincture or, if you can get them, fresh flowers (and your little one would get to eat the flowers...not more than 2, spaced out through the flight, should bring on a delightful drowsiness...the flowers are sweet tasting). Anon

I've beem reading all of the posts about how to deal with children on ariplane trips I can't help but wonder if anyone is struck, as I am, by the fact that what we are talking about, and what people are recommending is drugging a normal, healthy child so they will behave in a way that is not normal, for convenience. I have travelled with my kids from 2 months old to 14 both on airplanes and by car and I can tell you that I would rather drive 5 hours to LA with them than fly for one hour. Flying ! is with small children is stressful. For me the most stressful part was that I was sitting only inches away from complete strangers, knowing that if my child screeched, or moved too much it would certainly disturb them. Sure, I want to sit back and chill, read, sleep just like anyone else, but I know going in to the trip that I can't. I would not drug my child in order to enjoy my flight. I can see being tempted to avoid the stress of being in close quarters with annoyed strangers. But, given the choice, I think I'd rather be around annoyed strangers than drug my child for them. Even if it is a one time, or rare occasion. Fortunately this was not even suggested when my kids were little. I've never recommendations to drug children (with drugs not intended for that use by the way) on long car trips, or lengthy dinners with guests, or to eat out at a fancy restaurant or getting them to sleep all night. Is that next? And then what? Just say no.

Ensuring 18-mo-old twins sleep on the plane

June 2004

We have 18 mo twin boys. We have tried both Benadryl and Dimetap to help them sleep on long plane rides. Benadryl had the opposite effect -- they were wired the entire trip, until about 2 am. Dimetap didn't appear to have any effect at all. We will be traveling abroad in August and are in dire need of a way to ensure their sleep during the trip. Thanks.

Whenever I give my daughter Motrin (although I give it for pain or teething) it puts her right to sleep. Other friends agree with me. Maybe its worth a shot? anon

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