Tips for waking up a toddler way before their wake up time for a flight?

We just booked a 2.5 hour flight. The flight leaves early morning so we will need to wake DS up about 3-4 hours before his normal wake up time.

That, coupled with the fact that we didn't buy him a seat and he does not sleep "on" us, is making me super nervous. He will be 19 months for the flight.

What I was thinking is:

- Check in online from home

-Wake up DS only when we're actually about to go out the door to the taxi.

-Milk sippy in the car? I don't give him sippies in the car in case of an accident so this worries me

-Gate check our bags and go straight through security

- PRAY there's an empty seat for him (we didn't buy him a ticket)!


None of this really allots time for him to nap. Last time we flew, everything was too broken up (check in, security, waiting at gate, etc) for him to really get a nap in. He fell asleep on the stroller and then had to be woken up to go through security. He won't sleep on the plane if he doesn't have a seat (he just won't sleep on us and he's so curious he wants to touch everything and explore, even if he's falling-down-tired).

I can't expect to wake him up 4 hours early and then not be able to take a real nap until 6 hours later when we land and get the rental car.

I'm thinking it will be a nightmare. Someone tell me otherwise What tips do you suggest?

Re: Tips for waking up a toddler way before their wake up time for a flight?

just wake him up before you go.. he WILL eventually nod off at some point..

just don't fret. it will be just fine.. just go with it

Re: Tips for waking up a toddler way before their wake up time for a flight?

Posted by bicosi

just wake him up before you go.. he WILL eventually nod off at some point..

just don't fret. it will be just fine.. just go with it

Re: Tips for waking up a toddler way before their wake up time for a flight?

Posted by LoveyQ

Posted by bicosi

just wake him up before you go.. he WILL eventually nod off at some point..

just don't fret. it will be just fine.. just go with it

Thanks! I'm normally a very "just go with the flow" mom and DS is not on any real schedule. He naps in the afternoon when he's tired. He goes to bed more or less at a similar time each night. But nothing is set in stone and he goes with the flow.

But if he wakes up early... EEEEK! It's a nightmare. That's what has me worried.

And the last flight we took, he was passed his nap time and was SOOOOO cranky, it was really stressful for me on the flight back bc he wouldn't sleep and was so tired/cranky. I'm thinking it will be like that x10.

Re: Tips for waking up a toddler way before their wake up time for a flight?

I have to wake DS up for daycare 4x's a week at 6:30am, if I left him he would wake up at 10am. It's been alot harder lately b/c he does not want to get up. So I've been keeping the lights off and just rub his back gently and as soon as he stirs I pick him up and rock him in the chair. We do this for about 5-10 minutes and he will either wake up or I just speak softly until he wakes up. Before he would scream and cry the whole time, so it's a gentlier way to wake up.

The rest of your plan sounds good. Will you have a stroller? Keep him in the stroller at the airport with the back down and hopefully he'll take a little nap.

Re: Tips for waking up a toddler way before their wake up time for a flight?

Here is how you wake him:

Be as quiet as possible, try not to make ANY noise at all, be exhausted. . .lay down on your bed, and then when your head hits the pillow. . .BAM! instant wake up for baby!


lol jk

I hope you have a nice and quiet flight!

Re: Tips for waking up a toddler way before their wake up time for a flight?

I have no advice for the plane but when we have to get dd up early for one reason or another we have to let her wake up. So I open her door, sometimes turn on the light, and make noise and then she's up on her own terms, kwim? She is less cranky than me picking her up and startling her.

I owuldn't worry about his nap on the plane. I would worry about when to get tot he hotel and let him nap then. You will be off for a day or 2 but he will adjust

Re: Tips for waking up a toddler way before their wake up time for a flight?

Wake him right before you have to leave. Get evderything ready and luggage by the door or in the trunk. Keep Kim in his jammies and just change his overnight to another overnight... that's if he wears them.

Re: Tips for waking up a toddler way before their wake up time for a flight?

Never done a morning flight with DD, but does he transfer easily (from crib to car seat to stroller, etc)? If so i'd just pick him up out of bed and put him in the car seat, then right into the stroller when you get to the airport. If not, i'd just be prepared with a lot of new toys and snacks, bottle, etc and hope for the best!

Re: Tips for waking up a toddler way before their wake up time for a flight?

Posted by CaMacho

Never done a morning flight with DD, but does he transfer easily (from crib to car seat to stroller, etc)? If so i'd just pick him up out of bed and put him in the car seat, then right into the stroller when you get to the airport. If not, i'd just be prepared with a lot of new toys and snacks, bottle, etc and hope for the best!