What Finally Helped Our Toddler Sleep on a Long Flight

After trying different versions of the “blanket fort" setup on many flights – and realizing it simply wasn't a reliable solution – we decided to try something different.

On one of our international flights, I brought an early version of what would later become NapNest.

That first attempt wasn't perfect. It was something I had pieced together based on everything we had learned, just trying to create a more consistent, low-stimulation space for our baby.

The environment on the plane was exactly what you’d expect.

Lights turning on and off at the worst times.

People walking by constantly.

Screens turning on

Carts moving through the aisle.

The kind of things that would usually wake our kids up over and over again.

I set up the little makeshift version I had put together, rocked my baby, and placed him inside – all buckled in, with plenty of airflow and with mesh windows so I could easily check on him.

Incredibly, our 10-month-old fell asleep…and stayed asleep. For 9 hours. Through multiple meal services, people moving around us, lights turning on – all of it! Walking past our row, the flight attendants commented on how well it was working and were stunned he was still soundly asleep!