Flight takes off 3 hours after toddlers bedtime

[LottieT88]

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.

Sorry - I realise you said her age. I found it was easier to settle toddlers for a nap on a plane at that age when they were on my knee than it was when they had their own seat. More uncomfortable for me as I then couldn't move but easier for them!

I would attempt a chat with her about what's going to happen, make staying up late sound exciting, try and extend the afternoon nap if you can and not leave so early for the airport. Then you'll just have to wing it and hope for the best!

Been a long time since I flew, so what time do you reasonably have to be there just for security etc? 5 hours early is very early just to eat overpriced food around a load of strangers.

I'd accept she's probably going to power nap en route, and follow her lead. Is she wants to get out and let off some steam, fine. If she naps them there's probably not much you can do. Dress for bed at the airport and do bed routine once you're in the air.

How long is the flight?

Eating at an airport isn't a treat though! They aren't relaxing places, and they will be eating with their baggage next to them as the baggage check-in probably won't have opened yet. It will be nothing like a normal meal out at a restaurant.

I agree with PP - it’s madness.

5 hours at an airport 30 mins from
your home with a toddler??
Have you lost your mind?
Go as late as possible!

Yeah I thought that we could have dinner at the airport at 6:00ish how we normally do at home and then settle her at the airport in her pram for her nap before we board. Usually we should be there at least 3 hours before departure.

But it won’t be how you normally do at home because for your toddler you’ll be in a big exciting new place with lots of things to watch and places to try and run, and loads of people crammed together to pay attention to. You cannot slavishly follow a routine when you’re on holiday. The world won’t collapse if you eat at 5 instead of 6

She's very unlikely to fall asleep with all the excitement of the airport. Possibly a nap on the journey from home to airport, then settle her down when you're on the plane.
lt'll be fine. Have a lovely holiday!

Flight is 12 hours

Your toddler is not going to settle down for a nap in the middle of a busy airport while you're checking in bags and going through security! Trying to maintain a routine when you're flying is madness, and you will stress yourself out trying. Just go with the flow, and it will work out one way or another.

The thing is you’re going to land in a completely different time zone so the routine doesn’t matter very much for the night on the plane.

Unless you’re flying to South Africa… Ignore me if I’ve got that wrong. The long haul flights I’ve taken always involve crossing many time zones

But they won’t be able to check baggage in that early, and won’t be able to go through to the restaurant area until after they’ve checked in.

5 hours in the airport at the end of her day is pretty much guaranteed to wind up a toddler!

Look, you’ve got a 12 hour flight and then huge jet lag after it. Give it up. Go with her flow. She will sleep when she’s tired, and you’ll have to do the same. I’m sorry you’re having to travel so far with a toddler. But you’re here now, so just relax, drop all rules. Eat when hungry, sleep when tired, make sure she stays hydrated.

Yeah. Flying to South Africa so luckily not too drastic with time zone x

We had 7 hours in an airport recently due to delays, and it was actually ok. DC (20 months) had great fun. I was way more stressed about it than they were! They enjoyed watching people, running around a bit where it was safe to do so, getting to eat treat food, more screen time than usual.

If you can, it might be worth using an airport lounge. Being there meant waiting in a calmer environment with comfier seats and free coffee. DC got an activity book, a mini pastry, and access to a space to play safely.

If you can keep her awake through security it will make your life a little bit easier, especially if you’re the only adult. They want little ones to go through the scanner by themselves and may ask you to sort of hold them out in front of you if they are asleep. Which is not very fun when they are a proper toddler/preschooler size and weight.

And you’ll either have to put the pushchair through the xray machine or they will take it aside to check it over with handheld devices.