Getting kids up really early for flight. Any tips?

[Spoonful of Sugar]

So I figure we're going to have to be out of the house about 4:15 AM to catch our plane. Ugh! Any tips on the best way to do this with two little ones (age 3 and 1)? I figure we'll keep them in there pyjamas for the flight, then change either when we land in Orange County or at the hotel. I don't know if they'll continue to sleep on the plane... or if they'll just be really grumpy Has anyone else attempted this?

 

[mrswh]

We had to do an early wake up a few weeks ago. We let the kids sleep in the clothes they'd wear the next day so there was no fuss with getting dressed in the morning. With 1 and 3 year olds, I think you can just pick them up out of bed and put them in the car. Have some snacks/drinks ready in case they decide to wake up. They'll work out their sleep somehow (esp. the 1 year old), adding extra naps as needed during the day. Honestly, they'll probably do better than the adults. Good luck, have a great trip!

 

[specialks]

We've done this with kids close to your ages and it worked great. They woke up by the time we reached the airport and I changed them once we got to the gate. Then they napped on the plane. The kids still talk about us taking them out of bed in the night and waking up at the airport. . I agree with bringing snacks so if they wake in the car you have one "breakfast" for them (not sure about your 1 yr old).

 

[bumbershoot]

It's never worked with my guy. Even though we planned our first early flight out, with one adult meeting the shuttle driver and installing the carseat, and then putting DS in and getting on the road ASAP, he was AWAKE. And the stuff at the airport is pretty intense for a kid, just no way DS could sleep through security. Then he's just interested at the gate with everything going on...taking off, etc etc. Never worked for us.

But he does love having his PJs on, although now he wants us to put his clothes on *over* the pajamas or he'll be embarrassed at the airport. But that's not bad, since airports and airplanes can be cold!

 

[nikkislaght]

You know your own kids and how they wake up.. (smiley and sweet or grumpy and need five mins)

I make sure that I am r completely ready to get out the door before waking my son.. (shower, coffee, food etc) and then get him up , dressed and if he wants to eat (most often not) then we leave straight away.. and he either sleeps again in the car or has 45 mins drive to wake up...
My son wakes up without any problems most days...

I just make sure he is in bed a bit earlier the night before, and well rested the couple of days before the trip. If he has been running round like a crazy person the couple of days before those early mornings he can get overwhelmed ..

Have a great trip...

 

[cesariofamily]

I've done it plenty of times with my girls. All though after security they are usually awake at the airport so we go ahead and change and eat. I would make sure you have activities and food for the plane. Also once we drove to Niagra Falls and left really early. I forgot one of the kids shoes! We had to buy a pair!

 

[cgh]

We have brought our son to the airport in pajamas, then change in the airport after security. I don't wake him until car is loaded so the last possible thing is putting him into the car. As he has gotten older (3 now) I have had him pack his carry on bag the night before. However, that will normally also mean when he gets up in the morning he forgets and is scrounging around for things. I show him where his special friends go (ie. his dogs he sleeps in).

We have found he's in a daze in the car or excited and up. Oh, and sleep on the plane? Ha! Um...no. I bring copious amounts of special snacks and bags of surprise goodies. We go through bedtime routine on the plane for naps, and that worked better when he was younger. (ie. read story, say goodnight, hand bedtime friends, turn out light, pretend to sleep)

 

[Pesky]

I'd prepare your 3YO for it ("remember tomorrow I'm going to wake you up EARLY and put you in the car to go to the airport, but you can sleep in the car and on the plane"). I'd bring lots of snacks (bagels are a good choice and I've found Pepperidge Farms mini bagels to be softer than the others so easier for little ones to chew; otherwise, think cheerios, fruit, pretzels (Newman's Own has a high protein one that is very tasty), animal crackers). Otherwise just realize the reaction can run the gamut -- DD was super easy and would just nod off. DS doesn't want to miss anything so rarely sleeps, which leads to a grumpy toddler. Just be sure to explain the rules beforehand about safety and prep them both for the security experience. There is a great book called Airport that you can use to explain a bit about what is going on. There is another on Amazon that is a coloring book but explains a bit more. Both are a touch out of date but work for the purpose. DS still loves reading Airport. GL!

http://www.amazon.com/Airport-Byron-Barton/dp/0064431452/ref=sr_1_5?ie=UTF8&qid=1336321724&sr=8-5

http://www.amazon.com/Plane-Trip-Dover-Coloring-Books/dp/0486439828/ref=pd_sim_b_3

 

[jilld11]

It all depends on your kids. I personally like the early up (4am) and flights out in the morning. My kids are 9, 7 and 11 months, but have been traveling with the older two since they were babies and at least 2 or 3x a year for more than 3 - 7 hour flights. We always change them in home to real clothes, but comfortable ones (and of course sleepers which we always have the babies in for when they were little). We live an hour away from the airport, so we keep them up in the car, have breakfast at the airport and hope they sleep on the plane. Most times yes, sometimes no. For the no times, of course there are special treats they wouldn't normally get at 10am, 11am, etc. as need be. I also give them a dose of Tylenol to soothe them. Before anyone says that's terrible, I don't drug them, just give them a regular dose to ease them in case something comes up. Same thing I do before we get their shots done. Anyway, my kids travel great and this works for us, but all kids are different, so hard to say. Good luck