Early flights with toddler (17 months)

We will be taking an 8 am flight with our DD this fall. She will be 17 months. As far as flight times, I had no choice as the only other options were 6 pm or later which would mean paying for a night at the hotel just to sleep. So we will have to wake her up early for the 8 am flight. As much as I try to avoid disrupting her sleep, at some point, we have to live our lives. Any tips from anyone who has btdt? Did your child nap at the airport and/or plane? Did your child adjust the next day ok? TIA!

Re: Early flights with toddler (17 months)

We just did this it was a six am flight. Woke ds up early let him snack on Cheerios and milk on the way to
The airport. Ate breakfast when we got there. Once we got on the plane he went right back to sleep. Wasn’t as bad as I expected.

Re: Early flights with toddler (17 months)

We just did a 520 am flight!

DD is much older than yours though.

But anyway, she will be fine.
It's just one day and they adjust well.
Just see if you can put her to bed earlier the night before- (maybe skip a nap that day if you can so she's tired earlier)

Then have everything ready for her so you can get her up at the last possible minute that you have to.

Most likely she will nap on the plane if she's very tired.

And yes, she'll probably go to bed early that first night of vacation and will readjust by the next day

Message edited 4/12/2018 2:40:41 PM.

Early flights with toddler (17 months)

We did it with our 2 and 5yo and they did fine. I put them to bed in comfy leggings and tops so we could minimize having to do things in the morning.

Re: Early flights with toddler (17 months)

My children get woken up every day at 6:25am for day care. They are fine! Your child will be, too.

Early flights with toddler (17 months)

Put them in the clothes they will be flying in to bed so all you have to do is change their diaper and go.

Message edited 4/12/2018 4:43:12 PM.

Re: Early flights with toddler (17 months)

I did this last year with 2 yr old and 4 year old. My 2 yr old was fine and then He slept the whole plane ride. And he didn't normally nap. He was good to go when we got there. It wasn't as bad as I anticipated.

We are flying again next week on an 8:30am flight, with a 3yr old, 5 yr old and an 8 week old! I'm slightly scared lol. I plan on dressing them the way they will be flying. I'm hoping I can get my 3 yr old to nap on the plane. If not, he will when we get our rental car.

Re: Early flights with toddler (17 months)

Lol.

Your kid will be fine. The plane is like a car... so often kid will nap on it. I agree. Get kid dresses in regular clothes that are comfy for flight and you are good to go.

Early flights are less likely to get delayed. That’s the worst.

Early flights with toddler (17 months)

We always do first flight out which can be as early as 5 am. Kids adjust. And IMO start early with disrupting their sleep so they used to things. It’s life and things come up. Easier to roll with it if they are used to it.