Please or to access all these features

Add post

Watch this thread

Save thread

Start a new thread

Flip thread

Hide thread

My feed

Active Unanswered threads

Getting started FAQ's

Unanswered threads Acronyms Talk guidelines

Hide shortcut buttons

Talk

Parenting

For free parenting resources please check out the Early Years Alliance's Family Corner.

Flip

1 2

Original poster

Flight takes off 3 hours after toddlers bedtime

43 replies

LottieT88 · 21/10/2023 08:12

Looking for some advice on what others would do. I have an 18 month old who is quite routined with her sleep. Her bedtime is anywhere between 6:30pm and 7:00pm usually. We have an overnight flight departing at 22:30. I’m wondering how to manage bedtime with my toddler. Do I dress her, settle her and lie her down in her pram from 7:00pm or should I wait until we’re on the plane and then get her ‘down for the night’? My concern with the latter option is that we risk over-tiredness setting in.

OP posts:

Are your children’s vaccines up to date?

Set a reminder

FallingAutumnLeaf · 21/10/2023 08:25

Plane leaves at 10 30, get to airport 7.30.
I'd guess they would sleep in the transport getting to the airport, then will be awake for the security etc, having effectively had a power nap.
I'd put into PJs after security, but not stress about anything and go with the flow.

ApolloandDaphne · 21/10/2023 08:28

No point settling her down in her pram from 7 when you won't be at the airport until around 8.30. Have you far to travel to the airport? I would get her in pyjamas or light comfortable clothes at home but take spare with you then just go with the flow once you are at the airport. Take a blanket to snuggle her up on your lap. Don't be preoccupied with keeping her in a routine as you will get stressed. The more relaxed you are the more relaxed she will be.

Cupcakegirl13 · 21/10/2023 08:37

Just accept there will be absolutely no sticking to the routine that night , go armed with supplies and stay relaxed about whatever happens , it’s just one night.

Interested in this thread?

Then you might like threads about these subjects:

1 year olds Babies & sleep Children's sleep Families

toomanyleggings · 21/10/2023 08:47

You just have to accept it’s probably going to be a battle. Take lots of distraction stuff, try to encourage her to have a nap but that’s all you can do. Our last flight was 10:30 pm for our toddler and we were delayed three hours. She stayed awake until about 1 am then had a snooze on the plane for a bit, woke up on the other side, then had another sleep in the taxi from airport to hotel. Arrived at hotel at 4am where she bounced about the cot until
6am. Good luck!

Original poster

LottieT88 · 21/10/2023 08:48

We’ll be getting to the airport around 5:30pm for dinner etc. Travel time to the airport is only 30mins

OP posts:

HoppingPavlova · 21/10/2023 08:50

Zero routine. Accept that happily and move on. Don’t plan. 100% go with the flow.

23Oct · 21/10/2023 08:51

LottieT88 · 21/10/2023 08:48

We’ll be getting to the airport around 5:30pm for dinner etc. Travel time to the airport is only 30mins

Why are you going so early? Why not have dinner at home then leave home at say 7.30?

CheapHouse · 21/10/2023 08:51

I don't think you can plan it. There will be exciting stuff for her to look at she probs won't want to sleep until she's bored. Just see what happens. Bring lots of snack and toys.

Hiphopopotamonster · 21/10/2023 08:51

You’re getting to the airport 5 hours before your flight?? That’s bonkers! Especially if you’re only 30 minutes away. Just have dinner at home, get your daughter in pjs or comfy clothes for the night at home before you leave then just go with it a little bit. She can always have a bit of a Power Nap on the way to the airport or after check in before hopefully sleeping properly on the flight

ApolloandDaphne · 21/10/2023 08:52

LottieT88 · 21/10/2023 08:48

We’ll be getting to the airport around 5:30pm for dinner etc. Travel time to the airport is only 30mins

Going to the airport 5 hours before your flight is madness. They are not relaxing places. Eat your dinner at home as normal and leave about 8 to get there for 8.30. You will be much more relaxed at home. I had a 5 hours wait between flights yesterday and being at the airport all that time was horrible and it was only me and DH.

ConnieTucker · 21/10/2023 08:52

HoppingPavlova · 21/10/2023 08:50

Zero routine. Accept that happily and move on. Don’t plan. 100% go with the flow.

This. You will ruin your holiday if you stay focused on a toddler’s routine.

Soontobe60 · 21/10/2023 08:53

That’s really early to get to the airport! You’re going to be hitting rush hour traffic too.
For a flight at 10.30, id be planning on arriving at the airport by about 7 at the earliest. Eat at home, set off at 6.30 when the rush hour traffic has died down, baby will probably drop off on the journey so just settle her in her pram whilst you have a coffee in Duty Free!

yogasaurus · 21/10/2023 08:54

My DC were very routine, but it goes out the window on holiday, there’s no point trying, just go with the flow.

Their routines were never affected when we got home.

SisterMichaelsHabit · 21/10/2023 08:54

23Oct · 21/10/2023 08:51

Why are you going so early? Why not have dinner at home then leave home at say 7.30?

Show quote history

Presumably they want to treat themselves by eating out?

pilates · 21/10/2023 08:55

Agree, leave later. Have dinner at home. Put her in pjs and she will probably sleep on your lap.

WandaWonder · 21/10/2023 08:57

We stuck to a basic runtime but if it was not possible it was not possible we just went with it, out and about our child just slept when they slept

stressbucket1 · 21/10/2023 08:57

I wouldn't keep her awake until the flight, like you said she could get overtired and cranky. PJ'S on sleep in the pram and you and DH relax in the airport. Then you are ready to deal with the flight if she wakes up. Snacks/drink and entertainment on flight.

Sunshineclouds11 · 21/10/2023 08:58

HoppingPavlova · 21/10/2023 08:50

Zero routine. Accept that happily and move on. Don’t plan. 100% go with the flow.

This with bells on.

Routines out the window for holidays, just enjoy it and go with the flow.

My baby settled straight back in to his normal routine once home

Houseplantmad · 21/10/2023 08:58

You need to forget routine when travelling. How long is the flight you’re going on? I regularly did UK-NZ with DCs at that age and younger and they are very resilient and robust when it came to travel. They slept as and when and it worked fine.

SpringIntoChaos · 21/10/2023 09:00

Just relax! It's a one-off event 🤦‍♀️🤷‍♀️

Also echo what others have said...arriving at the airport at 5.30 for a 10.30 flight is utter madness!! Are you always this anxious about things?

Caspianberg · 21/10/2023 09:05

Yes don’t go early. It’s even longer to entertain child in airport where they can’t really run about and play nicely on floor.

Eat at home early. Child in pjs or comfy clothes to sleep in and leave at 6.30pm. Arriving 7pm gives at least 3 hours.
Check and security.
Time for cafe for drink and snack. Take pram, if they are tired they will just fall asleep after security, if not then just leave them to walk around to wear out more or sit in pram and watch.

If awake before you go to gate, change nappy again so you start flight with fresh one as you want to avoid trips to change on plane to minimal as it’s tiny on flight.

Fizbosshoes · 21/10/2023 09:53

I took kids on a flight that took off at midnight. DS (3) fell asleep at the airport, was asleep for the flight and the journey home (it was about a 3 or 4 hour flight and 1.5 hr drive home)

He was fine the next day, we were wrecked!🤣

Batbatbatty · 21/10/2023 11:07

LottieT88 · 21/10/2023 08:48

We’ll be getting to the airport around 5:30pm for dinner etc. Travel time to the airport is only 30mins

This is madness!
Stay at home in your little one's familiar environment for as long as possible. Airports are loud, bright, busy and uncomfortable.

Get a takeaway if you don't want to cook before your holiday/trip/flight.

ianthes · 21/10/2023 12:52

If you have bags to check in it's possible you won't even be able to do that until 2hr before your flight anyway. Do not go five hours early, that way madness lies.

letmesailletmesail · 21/10/2023 13:02

Given the timings, I'd do tea, bath, PJs & bed at home as usual and then lift her at 7.45/8.00 and carry her down to the fully packed car and, if you're lucky, she may stay asleep for the 30 min drive. Even if she doesn't she'll have had a bit of a nap which, together with the distraction and excitement of the airport, may well get her through security and on board the plane with minimal crankiness.
How long is your flight? Is she under 2 and on an adult's knee or over 2 and in her own seat? Either way, think about how you can get her into a comfortable position to sleep, including if you both need to be wearing seat belts due to turbulence.
Then just keep rolling with it,
Depending on where you're going and what you're doing, routine may well be out of the window at your destination anyway. If staying with family or in a villa, you may be able to stick with it. If at a hotel, then you may find dinner isn't until 6.30 anyway so your DD will have to have a later bedtime all week anyway.

Flip

1 2