Travel influencer reveals genius hack to get toddlers to sleep on flights – and the solution is easier than you think

A travel influencer has revealed her genius hack for getting toddlers to sleep on flights – and the solution is easier than you think.

Brittany Warfaring, from Vancouver, Canada, travels regularly with husband Philippe Fernandez and two-year-old son Dori – with the trio completing more than 50 flights.

The content creator, who regularly shares her top tips on YouTube, recently shared how parents can get their kids to sleep on the plane.

She explained that it all comes down to making just a few simple preparations in advance.

In the clip, shared earlier this week, Brittany began by candidly explaining that letting her son sleep on the plane was one of her “biggest sources of anxiety.”

The mother of three used a range of techniques she’d tried in the past – including packing a portable sound machine, books and blankets – when Dorican be considered a ‘lap child’.

‘As he got older, he got his own seat on the plane. What became clear to me on flights where I needed him to fall asleep was: yes, I need to pack all that stuff I just mentioned…

‘But what is also crucial these days is that toddlers need their own bed a kind of place where they can fall asleep and stay asleep.

‘My lap or just the chair itself is no longer sufficient.’

Brittany explained that this meant she now always packs something to “create a comfortable space.”

She then talked about the options for possible airplane beds, starting with bringing the car seat on board.

‘If your toddler sleeps very well in the car (mine doesn’t), you can take your car seat on board the plane.

“For me, there are a few major drawbacks to this option: it’s annoying to lug around and there’s the possibility of kicking the seat in front of you, which isn’t fun to deal with.”

Brittany explained that this doesn’t work well for her son either ‘doesn’t like being confined to a chair for long periods of time.’

The mother then turned her attention to the second option, which was choosing to sit in the bulkhead row, i.e. rows without seats in front and therefore ‘significantly more legroom’.

‘If you are happy with your toddler lying on the floor, you can choose to sit in this row. Take some blankets and pillows with you on the plane and turn your toddler into a small floor bed.

‘The downside to this is that if there is any turbulence you have to wake them up and secure them back in their seats.

‘It’s not the safest. The Cin my experience it can be quite bright and noisy as it is usually closer to where the flight attendants prepare food and people go to the toilet – tHere there is some more traffic in the bulkhead row.

‘You cannot keep your hand luggage in front of you during take-off and landing. YYou should keep them in the overhead bin.

‘And worst of all, on many planes the bulkhead armrests don’t go up. THey, they’re kind of stuck in place, which means your toddler can’t lie on you, which for me is a big drawback.’

Brittany’s final solution, which she has been using for the past six months, is to bring your own toddler bed on the plane.

The avid traveler shared that there is a wide range of beds available in the market – that you can buy and then improve to meet the needs of your own children.

Brittany’s structure is built around an inflatable footrest from Amazon, which inflates in moments.

She pushes him into the footwell before draping coats and sweaters over the makeshift bed to make it more comfortable.

The mother continued, “But this is the super secret way we improve this whole bed design.

“We also take one of these thin baby muslin blankets on the plane and a few 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 own little cozy cocoon on the plane and hopefully sleeping.”

Brittany briefly warned that such DIY designs may not be allowed on some airlines or on aisle seats because it poses a safety risk during an emergency.

After sharing her top three bedding solutions, she also advised parents not to let children sleep at the airport and tire them out before the flight.

Once on board, Brittany relies on doing Dori’s normal bedtime routine — like brushing her teeth and putting on pajamas — before letting him read or watch “sleepy videos” on YouTube.

She concluded: ‘We do a lot to comfort and reassure him. Remember, they are in an uncomfortable, possibly very unfamiliar environment, and you are their safe place.”

Brittany’s clip was viewed hundreds of times and was flooded with comments from followers grateful for her advice.

One person wrote: ‘You are so funny and real! I love that you just keep going even if things don’t go the way you planned.”

Brittany replied, “Thank you so much for saying that. He’s at the point where he’s been skipping naps more and more lately, so we just have to get on with it!’

Another person wrote: ‘Another very useful video – thanks.’

A third person commented: ‘I’m having trouble packing [and] adjusting myself to make sure everything is okay.”

Brittany responded transparently, “I always feel anxious and overwhelmed before a big trip with my son, but it will be fine!”