overnight flight with 3 year old - sleep tips?

[kissmummy]

does anyone have any experience of taking a three year old on an overnight flight? did your child sleep on your knee or curl up in their own seat? what worked and what got you through the flight? our flight time will be at least ten hours - the airline has a poor reputation for delays so it may be longer - and i want to do everything possible to reduce the pain for everyone. it will be the first time we've attempted a long flight with our fairly boisterous DS.

I've flown numerous times with all mine and at the moment, DC3 and 4 are 3 1/2 and 16 months. I'd get a little cushion for your DSs neck if you can (loads of shops and airports do the fun animal ones) they are really comfortable and then can curl up quite well in a seat with one of those. Also, 3 year olds have the ability to sleep anywhere, mine would sleep standing up.

Lots of people recommend things like medised and phenigan (sp?) which apparently knocks them out (think its for travel sickness) but apparently you need to test it first as in a small % of kids it has the opposite effect.

For mine on nightflights I take pjs to put them in when (or before) boarding and then clothes to change into at 'wake up' time. hope that helps and good luck!
I'm taking mine on a 7 hour flight later this month subject to BA!

Where are you flying to and which airline are you using?. Presumably your DS has a seat. You may want to buy him a small bean bag type cushion to rest his head on as well.

Would not medicate him at all as phernigan for instance can make some children hyperactive.

As long as you are seen to be making a real effort with your child you should not get any nonsense from other passengers.

Excellent advice from mortified and attila. i would make the flight as normal as possible, try to stick you your night time routine and definitely take the pajamas. Don't point out stuff on the plane the way you would with a day flight. Our dd had many night flights (and day flights) at that age and the night time ones were without doubt, the easiest.

Whatever happens, remember that the flight will come to an end!

We have generally found overnight flights much easier than daytime ones (4 return transatlantic flights).

Have some snacks and nibbles in case.
Paper and crayons.
Books (paperback = lighter).
Do walk around the cabin if necessary; children do get curious.
As suggested, little pillow and pajamas, poss. toothbrush and any bedtime creature comforts.

Before the flight, be active in the airport where there is loads of space.

I have found that DD takes a bit longer to get to sleep because of all of the excitement. Normally milk helps her get comfy and nod off (normally wouldn't get it right before sleep but if she's tired, it is soothing). Take turns to look after the child and to catnap so that you are not overfatigued either.

On a more serious note, some airlines have requested that DD is strapped into seat while sleeping. If she is sleeping, we normally gently arrange her and if she stirs we sit (awkwardly) to give her a hug and that settles her down.

We've just returned from a transatlantic flight with our 3 year old DD and imo there;s no point in sticking with a routine as there's too much excitement. Also, if you have expectations of them sleeping, and they don't, it can get a bit stressful.

Would second the idea about letting them run around as much as possible before boarding.
Take food and drink with you - we had to sit around for 2 hours on the plane before take-off and any food was served.
Had books and crayons, etc. with us
Computer with DVDs (DD could fall asleep watching DVD on mute).

We were lucky that on the flight out, the plane was almost empty, so DD was able to sprawl out across 3 seats while DH and I sat in the two seats across teh aisle from her.
Not so lucky on the return and I sat on half a seat to let DD sprawl out again.
Airline wasn't too fussed about strapping DD in whilst asleep, but I'm a bit funny about things like that and as I was awake, I would strap her in whenever the seatbelt light came on. I would also sit her up for landing and let her rest her head against me.

Done several long haul flights with DS (now 2.2) and found night flights easier than daytime as he is usually even more tired than usual due to all the excitement of the airport and plane and crashes out whereas daytime he just wants to charge around the plane!

We try to take things that remind him of bedtime at home - so for him it is a grobag and his doll and elephant that he usually sleeps with. We do face wash and clean teeth, and read him one of his usual bedtime stories. Then we cover him with a blanket and say "night night". Basically try to keep it as close to his bedtime routine as possible, even if the time may be completely different.

Don't stress! Relax and you may be pleasantly surprised! T took DDs(3 years 2 mons and 13 mons) to china and both legs were better than I thought! 3 yrs can understand so give her sth to look forward to. For us on the way there she was so eager to see grandma and on the way back after 50 days in china she misses daddy so much. I start to explain to her and ask her for help to look after little sister well before the trip. We did the 10 hour flight, 3 hour in BJ airport, another 1 hour flight and then 2 hours car ride on the way back. The kids handled better than I did. I did bribe her with some sweet treats, which also helped with discomfort when take off and landing. Good luck!

thanks for all the advice. it is Air Seychelles to the Seychelles - we've never attempted anything so exotic, usually just hop over to France, so it's a big adventure. Air Seychelles doesn't have a great reputation for comfort or punctuality but as our expectations are low we will be ready for setbacks. at the idea of phenigan having opposite effect to sedative! that would be a disaster. think we'll steer clear of any medicine.