What is the best way for a baby to sleep when traveling?

The best thing you can do while traveling with babies is to try to recreate the baby's sleep environment as much as possible. When it comes to baby travel gear, this includes bringing their swaddle/sleep sack, pacifiers, and a portable white noise machine—whatever you use at home.



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If you're traveling with an infant in arms, you may want to call the airline to request a bassinet for the baby. (only available on long haul flights) These bassinets give the baby their own place to laydown flat and sleep uninterrupted on the plane.

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Also, be sure to expose your baby to daylight each morning to help realign their circadian rhythms, too. Resetting your baby's sleep schedule after traveling can take a few days. Yes, traveling often impacts a baby's sleep schedule.

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Experienced traveling families already know this, but in most cases the hardest time to travel with a child is from when they become squirmy and mobile by about 9 months old until they hit the age of reason bargaining/cartooning/snacking at about 18 months.

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The best time to fly with kids While you can't always fly at the optimal time (based on your child's age, that is), it's great when you can. The best times, most agree, are between three and nine months, when kids aren't yet mobile, and any time after age two or three.

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When possible, Brewer said she would try to put her kids in a baby carrier and walk around the plane to soothe them. Distractions also help, she said, even something as simple as a plastic cup with ice or a spoon or a fellow passenger who is willing to engage the baby.

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Most airlines have no problem with using inflatable foot rest at bulkhead seats.

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Give your child acetaminophen or ibuprofen about 30 minutes before takeoff or landing. Or, use nasal spray or drops before takeoff or landing. Follow package instructions exactly about how much medicine to give your child.

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The American Academy of Pediatrics discourages medicating to sedate babies and children on plane rides. Giving the medicine has more risks than benefits because it can have serious side effects if you give them repeated doses.

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Manage Expectations with Conversation and Books. Read children's books about flying and travel. Emphasize that there'll be a time at the beginning and the end of the flight where they'll have to stay in their seats with their seat belt on. Talk to them about what they can do during this time.

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Early morning flights are usually less bumpy, which means more time letting your little one out of the car seat to explore the cabin (a must for new walkers). If that isn't possible, and you've got a by-the-clock napper, book a flight that coincides with nap time.

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But infants aren't as fragile as parents sometimes fear. And by age 3 months or so, babies are pretty good candidates for travel, as long as the trip is low-key.

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Take regular breaks Try to take a break every 2 to 3 hours for a day trip and every 4 to 6 hours at night to change diapers or soiled clothes, or to feed your baby. Never attempt to breastfeed in a moving car. Before hitting the road, be prepared and know where gas stations and rest stops are on the way.

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Generally, most airlines allow you to bring a stroller AND a car seat (to be placed in the aircraft hold, with the rest of your luggage) free of charge in addition to your normal baggage allowance, when flying with a baby under two.

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