The Best Times of Day to Fly Internationally With Kids

Night Flying

• Many parents choose overnight flights, thinking their tired child will sleep through most of the trip. But this might not happen, for several reasons. Flights overseas often leave in the early evening hours rather than very late. Many serve dinner, which takes time. Most adults on the flight won't sleep for another few hours, which means noise that may keep your child from sleeping. Even on an eight-hour flight, your child won't get a full night's sleep unless he falls asleep the minute you take off and sleeps through until landing -- an unlikely scenario. And if your child can't fall asleep, you'll have a long, frustrating night trying to keep him quiet so people around you can sleep. Worse, you probably won't be able to get into your hotel first thing in the morning, so you'll face a long day on no sleep and jet lag, besides.

Flying During the Day

• If you fly during the day, your child will be well-rested from a good night's sleep and entertained by movies, hand-held games, books and several meal services. You won't worry so much about a noisy child or crying baby annoying the people around you during the day, when most people will be up. Depending on which direction you're traveling, it may be night time and dark by the time you land, so after getting something to eat, making your way through customs and getting to the hotel, your child will probably be ready to sleep for the night -- and so will you.

Plane Changes

• If you opt for a night flight, consider whether or not you have a plane change to contend with. Waking up a sleeping child and hustling him through the airport to make your next connection can be a nightmare for you and your child. If you do have to make connections, make them either very early or very late into the flight, if possible, so your child has one long stretch to possibly sleep.

Time Zones

• If you're flying east, time moves ahead; if you're flying west, you go backwards in time. Your kids won't care if it's Tuesday or Wednesday when you arrive, so the only thing you have to consider is the time of day when you land at your final destination. Flying east can cause more jet lag than flying west, social worker and sleep consultant Linda Szmulewitz states on her website. To help your kids adjust after you land, spend time in the sunlight if it's light out to help their bodies and yours get in tune with the new time. Expect your child to wake during his new "night" for a day or two but try and keep feedings on the new time schedule, Szmulewitz advises.