Getting 7 month old to sleep on plane? | ExpatWoman.com
 

Getting 7 month old to sleep on plane?

117
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 06 December 2012 - 08:37

I am flying back to UK shortly on my own with a very active / crawling baby and im dreading it. She only sleeps in the dark so im concerned about how she will nap as its a day flight so will be quite bright. Does anyone have any ideas? I've flown with her before but she was a lot smaller and more compliant then. Thanks!

96
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 06 December 2012 - 11:39
Make sure that you get a baby bassinet. You might have to book it in advance and you need to get the seat in the 1st row. It can help if your baby is ready to sleep. Your child needs to drink during taking off and landing. The air pressure often causes them problems. If the baby refuses to drink, then a dummy can help as well. A cabin crew told me that nose drops are good, but I didn't try it. Pack different toys. Mine likes to play with the remote control on board. I wish you both a good flight.
4062
Posts
EW MASTER
Latest post on 06 December 2012 - 11:24
Hi Duddym There isn't anything surefire way of making them sleep on the plane. None of my children are good plane sleepers. I deal with it by always booking day flights when possible so at least I'm not trying to keep them quiet on a plane full of sleeping people. I mentally prepare myself for them not sleeping at all then any sleep they do get is a bonus. Also prepare yourself for lots of walking up and down the aisle. As long as you are expecting it to be hard work and no kicking back watching a movie then it's not actually that bad. We've had mainly really good flights despite the lack of sleep.
200
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 06 December 2012 - 09:57
hi DuddyM We flew to the US with our then 7 mo DD and she really surprised me with sleeping on the plane as I always thought he would not nap in light or noise. But she proved what people kept telling me that kids will sleep anywhere .it was just me that thought she wouldn't. We had a basinet but it is possible without it as i held her alot anyway. Note though that even though I don't usually rock her to sleep I did on the plane and her naps weren't on schedule they were later than usual by about 30 to 45 minutes so that she was extra tired and willing to be rocked. She slept every two hours or so for 45 minutes on the 13 hr flight and it was a but monotonous to nap like this 4-5 times but on the other side she slept in a carrier at a JFK layover and then again on a internal flight, then again in a car to the hotel. She was chirpy by the time we arrived at our destination though she had technically made a day of naps out of what should have been a night sleep. They dim the lights even in day flights so you should be okay. There isn't much to do on a plane so good news is overstimulation is not an issue! And while keeping her entertained during awake times it exhausting and you will get zero sleep, she will! I should add that we didn't sedate. I think that is unsafe 35000ft in the air but we did use Panadol when she was really beside herself on the last leg just to calm her and get her to sleep as we had been travelling for 20+ hours. The Paediatrician told me to do that as paracetamol just calms babies a little, if you need the extra help. <em>edited by sparkly on 06/12/2012</em>
 
 

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