I try and start with a night flight it possible: ideally one that takes off close to their normal bedtime as possible. On an overnight flight with toddler, I also recommend, sticking to your normal routine too. eg Pyjamas, bottle of milk, story time etc, all help to soothe and calm.

Preparing a toddler for a midnight flight requires a strategic balance of routine maintenance and environmental control. The most successful approach is to keep the child’s daytime schedule exactly as normal, but dress them in comfortable, "travel-ready" pajamas before heading to the airport. To avoid a "second wind" from airport stimulation, many parents recommend using a stroller as a mobile "safe space" where the child can begin to drift off even before boarding. Once on the plane, the goal is to recreate their home sleep environment as closely as possible; this includes bringing a familiar "lovey," a specific blanket, and perhaps a white noise machine or app to drown out the engine drone. It is vital to feed the toddler a substantial, protein-rich meal before boarding so they don't wake up hungry during the flight. For the take-off and landing, ensure they have something to drink or a pacifier to help with ear pressure, which is often the primary cause of toddler distress during night flights. While it is tempting to use screens, the blue light can interfere with melatonin production, so soft books or quiet toys are better for the "winding down" phase in the terminal.