One question I get asked often is what we do about sleeping arrangements while we are on vacation. It’s varied a lot and quite honestly sometimes it’s been uncomfortable! Luckily as our travels have continued I’ve found a few products that have improved our comfort level in the sleeping department. Here are some of the products that have worked for us.
Tips for Sleeping On A Plane with Kids
Products to help infants sleep on a plane
On international flights we always request a bassinet. After booking your flight you can call the airline and secure this free of charge. There are limited seats that can accommodate a bassinet so don’t wait until the last minute. I’ve found on most airlines the weight limit to use these are between 20-25lbs. For domestic flights since the bassinet it not an option I use my carrier once the flight has taken off. This allows me to be hands free and both girls have always loved the carrier and slept amazingly in it.
Products to help toddlers sleep on a plane
Flight hammocks are a real thing and a lifesaver! We were lucky enough to get our hands on the Fly LegsUp and wow!!! It basically turns your economy seat into a bed for your toddler which also gives the adults more comfort as said toddler is no longer laying on and/or tossing and turning on you.
Here’s a picture of Jordyn using it on one of our flights while traveling to Thailand. For my full review click here and use promo code MRSCLAUSE for 20% off your order.
Adults: Fly LegsUp also sells an adult version which I recently used on our flight home from Copenhagen. It serves as a foot rest which allowed me to elevate my feet and sleep sideways with my head against Jordyn’s seat. It’s best used in an aisle seat unless you know the other people in the row with you. I’m 5’2” and it definitely improved my comfort level but I’ll have to get my husband to try it out to see if it has the same affect on taller individuals.
Tips for Sleeping At Our Destination
The Best Travel Cribs for Babies
At Kennedy’s age she still needs a crib or pack n play because there’s no way she can sleep in a bed on her own. While some hotels do provide cribs or pack n plays they are not always in the best condition. Unfortunately we’ve had at least three instances when the hotel provided a not so clean pack n play or they had run out. Due to this we’ve either had to co-sleep or once Kennedy even had to sleep in her car seat because Jordyn and I were sharing a bed and I didn’t trust Jordyn to co-sleep with Kennedy at that age. Thankfully I have finally found some products to help in these situations.
BRICA has a Fold N’ Go Travel Bassinet for babies who are under 15lbs and can’t push up on their hand and knees. It comes with a padded bottom and fitted sheet. You can place it directly on the floor and it’s even great for laying our at the park or beach.
For older infants you can invest in a travel crib. We just got the Phil & Teds Traveller Cot and I’m speechless. It only weighs 6lbs, yes you read that correctly, 6lbs! It comes with a carrying shoulder bag that can easily fit in the overhead bin as a carry-on and if you’re checking a regular sized suitcase guess what?!? It can fit in a suitcase!! I have been blown away by it. Read my full review here.
The Best Travel Bed Rails and Travel Beds for Toddlers
Even though Jordyn has outgrown a crib and can sleep on a big girl bed the fear of her rolling off the bed is still very real and unfortunately it has happened. At home she has bed rails on her bed but they are too big to travel with. Because of this when we travel she either sleeps in between my husband and I if we only have one bed in the our hotel or airbnb or if we have two beds one of us sleeps with her and the other sleeps alone.
That all changed when I discovered inflatable bed rails!! I used the Wally Inflatable Bed Rails by The Shrunks. They are easy to travel with as they don’t take up much space which is great for me as I’m all about light packing. Once you blow them up they go under the fitted sheet of the bed and prevent your toddler from falling off just like any bed rail you might have at home. For my full review click here.
The Inflatable Bed Rails are great for when you have an extra bed to spare but if your hotel or Airbnb only has one bed or your visiting family/friends without an extra bed for your child The Shrunks Junior Toddler Bed is the perfect solution. An air mattress made specifically for toddlers weighing only 2.6lbs its a great solution for travel. You can read my full review here.
What sleeping solutions do you use when traveling with your little ones? Drop them below!
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Kiah says
July 11, 2017 at 2:03 pmTHIS IS A GAME CHANGER! As a mom of two I need this for all the travel for family and work that I do!
April Kitchens says
July 11, 2017 at 5:49 pmI always love your IG posts! We have only done road trips with my little and I got her a neck pillow that she loves. I take our pack and play too for sleeping.
Monet says
July 11, 2017 at 6:11 pmHi April,
Thank you so much! Ohhh what neck pillow do you use? I would love a good one, I hate to see Jordyn’s head bobbing up and down when she sleeps in her car seat.
Monet