"make"? you don't. you can't

Help them to be quiet, on the other hand, is doable. The easiest thing for the descent is to give them something to drink or eat - and be consistent about it. I find that fruit snacks work especially well for our toddler (who at just short of two is still eligible for infant in lap status even though she is ~3' tall - yes, she gets her own seat) because they are so chewy. My daughter seems to be less bothered by it, as we fly enough that I think she is starting to get the idea that the eating/drinking motion makes it feel better. She may not get the principle, but she has the solution. When she gets older, we can talk about it, but for now, cause and effect are good enough.