Tips to sleep on a plane??? - The DIS Discussion Forums

MKJEcruisers · 11-13-2009, 03:12 PM

We are doing an overnight flight from south carolina to barcelona in may. Does anyone have any good tips for being able to sleep on a plane? It will be me, my DH and my two DD's 7 and 10.

Andrew DEREK UK · 11-13-2009, 03:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MKJEcruisers

We are doing an overnight flight from south carolina to barcelona in may. Does anyone have any good tips for being able to sleep on a plane? It will be me, my DH and my two DD's 7 and 10.

Try to put you watch to Europe time as you arrive at airport, eat at airport, but not on the plane, water only no booze, no soda!! (pressure). Think Europe time.

Best to do something active that day before the cruise, ie Water park (not sunbathnig)

marshmellow86 · 11-13-2009, 03:29 PM

totally agree with Andrew's comment about think Europe time. That will help start getting your body adjusted.

A small travel pillow and blanket are a must. I also recommend a DS or iPod or some type of game for the kids. I know that you want them to sleep, but it is a LONG time in a very small space. Others around will want it dark and quiet to try to sleep and if they can't sleep, at least they will be occupied and perhaps relax them more to go to sleep. For adults, I have also tried Advil PM - worked sometimes, but not every time.

Andrew DEREK UK · 11-13-2009, 03:34 PM

When you get there its important to stay with it.

If you arrive early AM.

Have breakfast, have a quick sleep if you must, put alarm on for midday, get in the sun and stay up to its dark. If you can stay up though.

If you arrive PM.

Do not sleep stay up.

I wouldn't recommend any Medication to assist sleep etc for safety reasons and also it just makes it worse.

NancyIL · 11-13-2009, 03:50 PM

Yes - buy business class or first class tickets!

castlegazer · 11-13-2009, 04:16 PM

I just returned from China and I can tell you, invest in a good neck pillow! Get your doctor to prescribe mild sleeping pills if you really are worried, and just try to sleep right after the first round of beverage service. They will make sure all lights are low and the curtains pulled so people can sleep.

Benedryl for the kids if your doctors recommend that. It works great to induce drousiness in them. They will be hyped up, so a big meal will help right before you get onto the plane.

I also actually do recommend having a glass of wine or a beer for the adults on the flight to induce drousiness. But that's a personal choice.

Then definitely, as everyone said, immediately put yourself onto Europe time - do not go and sleep when you arrive.

PrinceandPrincess · 11-13-2009, 04:21 PM

totally agree with putting yourself on europe time. Also talk to your doctor about Melatonin, its a supplement you can take that will help you to sleep, your body makes it naturally on its own and it is not a medication, so you won't wake up groggy. I work night shifts and use it to sleep during the day. Good Luck!

clten · 11-13-2009, 04:38 PM

I recommend the latest flight leaving the states. This summer, we were booked on a flight leaving at 9pm and figured if we were up early that morning we could be tired enough to sleep by 9:30/10pm and get about 5 hours sleep. When we arrived at the airport they moved us to a 5pm flight and there was no way we could sleep. It was a 6 hour flight to Dublin so by time we landed in the morning Dublin time, our body was still only on 11pm NY time -- ready for sleep.

But as tired as you are when you arrive in Europe, do not take more than an hours nap. The quicker you get on local time, the more enjoyable the trip will be. For the med cruise, I would recommend getting into Barcelona at least a day early. Not only to adjust time-wise but it's a beautiful city you don't want to just transit through and miss it completely.

tink576 · 11-13-2009, 04:54 PM

I second Benedryl for the kids...

Also get some foam ear plugs, they have them at the local supermarket, reduce the noise and effect of people walking by...a neck pillow will def. help the cink in the neck when you wake up, and possibly a eye mask if you are comfortable wearing one

clten · 11-13-2009, 04:57 PM

One other thing I forgot -- make sure your seats are not within 5 rows of any of the bathrooms. Lots of traffic there and people standing around waiting for the bathrooms!!

sean-1966 · 11-13-2009, 06:49 PM

Imovane, it'll lull you to sleep and you'll be out the whole trip. I travel for business and I always try to take it on long trips. The only bad thing is the taste in your mouth the next day but it's gone after a day. Slept right through a trip to Beijing from Toronto no problem.

lmhall2000 · 11-13-2009, 08:43 PM

If you are fortunate enough and it is not a sold out flight, try to arrange an empty seat between you and dh....for instance we had an empty seat between the 3 on the window seat and my husband had an empty seat on his five in the middle right across from us..so it made it easier for the kids to take turns lying down with a warm fuzzy blanket...the ones the airline gives is a joke...it's worth it to bring 1-2 nice fuzzy blankets....my kids slept better laying in my lap at age 7....or leaned up against me...it was definitely NOT easy for me to sleep that way, but we figured they'd crash harder than we would.

We also woke them up at 4am the morning of our flight...so by the time we boarded our main flight overseas (4pm) they were READY for sleep after dinner was served....they slept for about 5 hours! We still all decided to take a short 30 minute nap before exploring London, well, that 30 minute nap went from 10am-6pm!!! We almost slept through our tickets to Mary Poppins!! AAGH!! Just don't think you'll lie down for a nap, it will mess you up, it's best to try and hold on through dinner then crash! HTH!!

Tara

Squirrley · 11-13-2009, 09:20 PM

We travel a lot overseas & we don't leave home without out 1st Class Sleepers. I have a bad back & I always arrive rested & my back not hurting.

Website:
http://www.1stclasssleeper.com/

KayR · 11-13-2009, 09:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tink576

I second Benedryl for the kids...

Be careful with benedryl for kids. One of the reported side effects is hyperactivity. I know someone who tried benedryl with their kids and instead of helping them sleep, they were just so hyper for an 11 hour flight. Not good! Make sure you know how it affects your kids before trying.

You have some great advice here.

-Kay

Shoog · 11-14-2009, 02:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KayR

Be careful with benedryl for kids. One of the reported side effects is hyperactivity. I know someone who tried benedryl with their kids and instead of helping them sleep, they were just so hyper for an 11 hour flight. Not good! Make sure you know how it affects your kids before trying.

You have some great advice here.

-Kay

Yes - test the benadryl before using it on the flight - we thought it would put our kids out - and they ended up bouncing off the walls.

11-13-2009, 03:12 PM	#1
MKJEcruisers Earning My Ears Join Date: Aug 2009 Posts: 49	Tips to sleep on a plane??? We are doing an overnight flight from south carolina to barcelona in may. Does anyone have any good tips for being able to sleep on a plane? It will be me, my DH and my two DD's 7 and 10.

11-13-2009, 03:34 PM	#4
Andrew DEREK UK Por favor manténgase alejado de las puertas Tortola Treasure Seeker Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Essex-East London UK.2012 Olympic City Posts: 27,740	When you get there its important to stay with it. If you arrive early AM. Have breakfast, have a quick sleep if you must, put alarm on for midday, get in the sun and stay up to its dark. If you can stay up though. If you arrive PM. Do not sleep stay up. I wouldn't recommend any Medication to assist sleep etc for safety reasons and also it just makes it worse. __________________ 2010 DCL Baltic 12N 2009 Contemporary:DCL 7N Western .2008 Disneyland Paris.and Disneyland Hotel CL,& DCL E/bound Repo 15N. 2007DCL Med cruise 11N. 2006 DCL Double Dip, WDW, Poylnesian,Universal. 2005 DCL Panama,14N Disneyland CL Grand Californian,DL Paris Hotel New York. 2004 Barbados/Europe 2003 WDW Contemporary Universal. 2002 DCL Western and WDW Polynesian2001 WDW Contemporary2000 All star Movies.

11-13-2009, 04:16 PM	#6
castlegazer Soccer Mom - no really, I am a Mom and I play soccer Tries to be naughty, but always fails Thinks Buzz (or Woody?) is sexy. Official Tag Fairy Translator Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Massachusetts Posts: 6,090	I just returned from China and I can tell you, invest in a good neck pillow! Get your doctor to prescribe mild sleeping pills if you really are worried, and just try to sleep right after the first round of beverage service. They will make sure all lights are low and the curtains pulled so people can sleep. Benedryl for the kids if your doctors recommend that. It works great to induce drousiness in them. They will be hyped up, so a big meal will help right before you get onto the plane. I also actually do recommend having a glass of wine or a beer for the adults on the flight to induce drousiness. But that's a personal choice. Then definitely, as everyone said, immediately put yourself onto Europe time - do not go and sleep when you arrive. __________________

11-13-2009, 04:54 PM	#9
tink576 Think of the Happiest Things, Fairies, Princesses and Kings! Join Date: Oct 2006 Posts: 581	I second Benedryl for the kids... Also get some foam ear plugs, they have them at the local supermarket, reduce the noise and effect of people walking by...a neck pillow will def. help the cink in the neck when you wake up, and possibly a eye mask if you are comfortable wearing one __________________

11-13-2009, 08:43 PM	#12
lmhall2000 May the road rise to meet you....May God hold you in the palm of His Hand. Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Space town, AL Posts: 3,264	If you are fortunate enough and it is not a sold out flight, try to arrange an empty seat between you and dh....for instance we had an empty seat between the 3 on the window seat and my husband had an empty seat on his five in the middle right across from us..so it made it easier for the kids to take turns lying down with a warm fuzzy blanket...the ones the airline gives is a joke...it's worth it to bring 1-2 nice fuzzy blankets....my kids slept better laying in my lap at age 7....or leaned up against me...it was definitely NOT easy for me to sleep that way, but we figured they'd crash harder than we would. We also woke them up at 4am the morning of our flight...so by the time we boarded our main flight overseas (4pm) they were READY for sleep after dinner was served....they slept for about 5 hours! We still all decided to take a short 30 minute nap before exploring London, well, that 30 minute nap went from 10am-6pm!!! We almost slept through our tickets to Mary Poppins!! AAGH!! Just don't think you'll lie down for a nap, it will mess you up, it's best to try and hold on through dinner then crash! HTH!! Tara __________________ Magical Mediterranean First Cruise May 5, 2010

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11-13-2009, 03:29 PM	#3
marshmellow86 Mouseketeer Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Jacksonville, FL Posts: 180	totally agree with Andrew's comment about think Europe time. That will help start getting your body adjusted. A small travel pillow and blanket are a must. I also recommend a DS or iPod or some type of game for the kids. I know that you want them to sleep, but it is a LONG time in a very small space. Others around will want it dark and quiet to try to sleep and if they can't sleep, at least they will be occupied and perhaps relax them more to go to sleep. For adults, I have also tried Advil PM - worked sometimes, but not every time.

11-13-2009, 03:50 PM	#5
NancyIL DIS Veteran Join Date: Aug 1999 Posts: 14,175	Yes - buy business class or first class tickets!

11-13-2009, 04:21 PM	#7
PrinceandPrincess Show Me the Castle! Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: MA Posts: 49	totally agree with putting yourself on europe time. Also talk to your doctor about Melatonin, its a supplement you can take that will help you to sleep, your body makes it naturally on its own and it is not a medication, so you won't wake up groggy. I work night shifts and use it to sleep during the day. Good Luck!

11-13-2009, 04:38 PM	#8
clten DIS Veteran Join Date: Apr 2005 Posts: 645	I recommend the latest flight leaving the states. This summer, we were booked on a flight leaving at 9pm and figured if we were up early that morning we could be tired enough to sleep by 9:30/10pm and get about 5 hours sleep. When we arrived at the airport they moved us to a 5pm flight and there was no way we could sleep. It was a 6 hour flight to Dublin so by time we landed in the morning Dublin time, our body was still only on 11pm NY time -- ready for sleep. But as tired as you are when you arrive in Europe, do not take more than an hours nap. The quicker you get on local time, the more enjoyable the trip will be. For the med cruise, I would recommend getting into Barcelona at least a day early. Not only to adjust time-wise but it's a beautiful city you don't want to just transit through and miss it completely.

11-13-2009, 04:57 PM	#10
clten DIS Veteran Join Date: Apr 2005 Posts: 645	One other thing I forgot -- make sure your seats are not within 5 rows of any of the bathrooms. Lots of traffic there and people standing around waiting for the bathrooms!!

11-13-2009, 06:49 PM	#11
sean-1966 DIS Veteran Join Date: Dec 2005 Posts: 523	Imovane, it'll lull you to sleep and you'll be out the whole trip. I travel for business and I always try to take it on long trips. The only bad thing is the taste in your mouth the next day but it's gone after a day. Slept right through a trip to Beijing from Toronto no problem.

11-13-2009, 09:20 PM	#13
Squirrley Mouseketeer Join Date: Jun 2006 Posts: 111	1st class sleeper We travel a lot overseas & we don't leave home without out 1st Class Sleepers. I have a bad back & I always arrive rested & my back not hurting. Website: http://www.1stclasssleeper.com/

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