Take time to make the area where you are sitting as personalized as possible by bringing a favorite blanket, pillow and toys and creating a family space within the row of seats you are sitting in. Bring headphones and play familiar, soft music to your child, or put on a familiar show on your laptop, iPad or DVD player. Use headphones to cancel out noise and keep your child focused. This way, your children's show won't annoy other passengers either. Make the area as comfortable and cozy as you can.
Tell your child about the flight before you travel, discussing with him how you will travel and involving him with the packing process. Let your child bring a favorite bedtime book or pair of pajamas. When it is time to sleep on the plane, make your child's routine as similar to the routine at home. Change your child into his pajamas. Settle your child in his seat or on your lap. You can also bring a toy that he likes to cuddle at bedtime to make him feel more at home. You can also hum or sing your child's favorite bedtime songs or have him eat a bedtime snack.
Bring a car seat for your infants to sleep in. It is safer than holding you child on your lap and it gives the infant a familiar, secure place to sleep in. You can also drape a blanket lightly over the car seat, allowing air to flow underneath, to darken your child's environment and allow sleep to come.
Children may want to take their nap early or late, depending on the different time zones that they are traveling through. Planes are exhausting for everybody, so if your child is tired, let her sleep. Don't wait to coincide your child's routine with the times of the destination. Look for signs that your child is getting tired, such as slowed response time, rubbing of eyes or staring. If you fear your child won't go to sleep, you may try using some mild sedatives. Talk to a doctor beforehand; some kids respond well to sedatives while others do not.
