A travel influencer has revealed her genius trick for getting toddlers to sleep on flights – and the solution is easier than you think.
Brittany Warfaring, from Vancouver, Canada, travels regularly with her husband Philippe Fernandez and their two-year-old son Dori, and the trio completed more than 50 flights.
The content creator, who regularly shares her top tips on YouTube, most recently spoke about how parents can get their kids to sleep on the plane.
He explained that it all comes down to making some simple preparations in advance.
Brittany Warfaring, from Vancouver, Canada, travels regularly with her husband Philippe Fernandez and their two-year-old son Dori, and the trio completed more than 50 flights.
The content creator, who regularly shares her top tips on YouTube, most recently spoke about how parents can get their kids to sleep on the plane.
In the clip, which was shared earlier this week, Brittany began by candidly explaining that having her young son sleep on the plane was one of her “biggest sources of anxiety.”
The mother of three recounted a number of techniques she had tried in the past, including carrying a portable sound machine, books and blankets, when Dori cHe could be considered a ‘lap baby’.
‘As he grew up, he got his own seat on the plane. What became clear to me on the flights where he needed me to sleep was that yes, I need to pack all those items I just mentioned…
“But what is also vitally important today is that young children need their own bed or some kind of place for them to fall asleep and stay asleep.
“My lap or just the seat is no longer enough.”
Brittany explained that this meant that she now always carries something in her suitcase to help “create a comfortable space.”
She then talked about options for potential airplane beds, starting with bringing the baby’s car seat on board.
‘If your toddler sleeps very well in the car (mine doesn’t), you can bring your car seat on board the plane.
He stuffs it into the footwell before laying jackets and sweaters on the makeshift bed to make it more comfortable.
“This option has some big disadvantages for me: it’s annoying to carry and there’s a chance of kicking the seat in front of you, which isn’t fun.”
Brittany explained that this also doesn’t work well for her son, who “He doesn’t like being restrained and trapped in a seat for long periods of time.”
The mother then turned her attention to the second option, which was to choose to sit in the bulkhead row, that is, rows that have no seats in front and therefore offer “a lot more legroom.”
‘If it’s okay for your little one to be on the floor, you can choose to sit in this row. Bring some blankets and pillows to the plane and make a small bed on the floor for your toddler.
‘The downside here is that if there’s any turbulence, you’ll have to wake them up and buckle them back into their seat.
‘It’s not the safest thing. is cIn my experience, it can be quite bright and loud because it tends to be closer to where the flight attendants prepare food and people go to the bathroom.There’s a little more traffic in the bulkhead line here.
‘You cannot keep your hand luggage in front of you during take-off and landing. ANDYou have to store them in the top compartment.
‘And the worst of all is that on many airplanes the armrests on the bulkheads do not raise. tThey’re kind of stuck in place, which means your child can’t lie on top of you, which is a big disadvantage for me.
The mom continued, “We created a little canopy on the plane so the lights don’t bother him as much and are less likely to wake him up.”
Brittany’s final solution, which she’s been using for the past six months, is to bring her own crib on the plane.
The enthusiastic traveler commented that there is a wide variety of beds on the market: which can be purchased and then upgraded to meet the needs of your own children.
Brittany’s build is based on an inflatable footrest from Amazon that takes a few minutes to explode.
He stuffs it into the footwell before laying jackets and sweaters on the makeshift bed to make it more comfortable.
The mom continued: ‘But this is the super secret way we improved the entire design of the bed.
‘We also took one of these thin muslin baby blankets on the plane and a couple of clips… to create a little canopy on the plane so the lights don’t bother him as much and are less likely to wake him up.
“So he’s in his cozy little cocoon on the plane and hopefully he falls asleep.”
Brittany briefly warned that these DIY designs may not be allowed on some airlines or in aisle seats, because they pose a safety hazard during an emergency.
After sharing her top three bedding solutions, she also advised parents not to let kids nap in the airport and wear them out before the flight.
Once on board, Brittany relies on carrying out Dori’s normal bedtime routine, such as brushing her teeth and changing into her pajamas, before letting her read or watch “sleep videos” on YouTube.
Brittany’s clip was viewed hundreds of times and was flooded with comments from followers who appreciated her advice.
Once on board, it’s up to Brittany to carry out Dori’s normal bedtime routine, such as brushing her teeth and changing into her pajamas, before letting her read or watch “sleep videos” on YouTube.
And he concluded: ‘We comforted and reassured him a lot. Remember that they are in an uncomfortable, possibly very unfamiliar environment, and that you are their safe space.’
Brittany’s clip was viewed hundreds of times and was flooded with comments from followers who appreciated her advice.
One person wrote: ‘You are so funny and real! I love that you keep going even when things don’t go as planned.’
Brittany responded: ‘Thank you so much for saying that. She’s at the point where she’s skipping naps more and more lately, so we have to keep going!’
Another person wrote: “Another very useful video, thank you.”
A third person commented: “I’m struggling to pack (and) adjust to make sure everything is okay.”
Brittany responded transparently: “I always feel anxious and overwhelmed before a big trip with my son, but everything will be okay!”