2 YO ear pain when flying??

[noahynav]

Our family will be flying to WDW for the first time this September. I have been reading a lot about the ear pain, what can I do to prevent this or at least alleviate the pain for my little guy?
He doesn't chew gum very well....he usually swallows it right away. I thought I read somewhere that Benadryl help to open up the ear canal....has anyone else ever tried this? Any suggestions would be appreciated.

BTW....is it really that bad? I have never flown before so I just don't know what to expect.

 

[Katienphil]

We're taking my DD in Oct and she'll be 19 months. I'm a bit concerned myself...I did see these ear plugs at One Step Ahead that is suppose to help in planes...I was hoping to get an opinion on those. Otherwise, we talked to our ped and she said if she will use a pacifier, that that is one of the best things...or to drink a lot. She said going up shouldn't be too bad...it's the coming down part that would be bad. I am nervous about this...

 

[spoiltrotten12]

Our DD2 is an avid thumb sucker. Last year she was 1 and ok during the take off and coming down sucking her thumb. We were told by our GP to give her a drink and a dummy (pacifier) also. Worked fine.

 

[720L]

The earplugs are called Earplanes. Be sure to get the children's Earplanes. Walgreens carries them. They work. I give my daughter Benedryl, have her chew gum or drink something on descent and ascent, and wear the earplanes. I think it isn't the chewing part that helps the ears, it's the swallowing so you could give your little one a sippy cup.

 

[bartleby1]

I have read to have young children eat something really chewy like fruit snacks during take off/landing. That is what I plan on trying with my little one who isn't old enough for gum yet. My older ones will get gum.

Also, years ago, I had taken an allergy antihistamine before flying (I have bad ears) and ended up with such severe ear pain that I was in tears. Months later, I informed my doctor what had happened and he said that I should never have taken an antihistamine before flying, only a decongestant. I don't remember the exact reason but after the pain I was in, no more antihistamines for me! Benedryl is an antihistamine so I stay clear. You might want to ask your pediatrician before using it on your little one. I do know that my pediatrician doesn't like giving antihistamines for real little ones.

 

[gonemousin']

Just thought I'd share my experience with the earplanes...

I have used the earplanes on my DD1 and then again when she was 2. Both times I thought they worked very well. Other folks on this board have varying opinions. I belive they work because when we were descending (the first time I tried them) my DD started crying - I noticed that she had pulled the earplane out of her left ear, so I stuck it back in and she instantly stopped crying. She's too young for gum, doesn't use a pacifier, and will not use a sippy cup (she's too grown up for that - if her big sister doesn't do it, she won't either ) , so we don't have many other options. On our second trip, when she was 2, she was old enough to understand not to pull the earplanes out. While many children on the plane were crying from ear pain, she was happy as a clam in her car seat. I typically stick them in during takeoff (even though it's less of an issue than landing - I'm very sensitive to pressure changes, so I do it just to be safe) and then again for landing. I think she wears them for all of 20 minutes total. They have them for adults too, but I haven't personally tried them. Good luck and I hope this helps!!

 

[Grendalynn]

This thread is very helpful! When we flew with DS who was 2 1/2 at the time last year, he was miserable on the flight home. His poor little ears! He was fine on the way to Florida but the ride home was harder on him - not surre why... There was a retired piolt and his wife near us and they said their hearts were breaking for our son (and us) on the descent as they had heard it many times over the years and knew there wasn't much you could do. A lot of others looked pretty perturbed by our screeching boy, but some could sympathize as well....

The best thing I have heard of so far and have tried, aside from gum, is fruit snacks or starburst type chewies, thumb sucking and sippy (or a bottle) if they are still in that routine.... Dramamine is also helpful with motion sickness and it tends o make them drousy ....

We had attempted to buy gum at the airport. But they were not selling it anymore because of the mess it was making in the planes an airports. SO FYI: Bring gum WITH you to the airport as you may not be able to buy it there like in the good ole days...

 

[o2bacelt]

I've found with our DD that she has more trouble on the way down than on the way up. She still will use a binky (she's 2) and she's usually got that in on the way up. If I give her something to drink or a lollipop on the way down she's usually just fine. She doesn't get lollipops very often so they always hold her interest. She didn't fuss at all this last time.

 

[justplaingoofy]

Anything that will help them to suck, chew & swallow should help. Also.. yawning is helpful but to get a 2yr old to yawn... try yawning yourself and have them look at you?? I can usually yawn when i see someone else do it!

 

[ThunderSnow]

Best tip we've received to date with our son, mini-M and Ms and a bottle of water about 10 minutes before decent. This get them chewing AND SWALLOWING which is the most important thing.

 

[LuvTinkBell]

I'm a flight attendant and as a child I had terrible earaches when we flew. My dad was a doctor and always gave us Sudafed 45 min. before takeoff. If the flight is over 4 hours, your child would need it again prior to landing.

A sippy cup, pacifier, sucker, or something to eat so he is chewing and swallowing may be all that is needed.

Descent actually begins aout 30 min. prior to landing, so that is the time to begin offering the drink/snack. If you wait, chances are the ears will be plugged by then.

And please, please, please, do not try any new medications for the first time on an airplane (long story, over the ocean w/ a 2 yr. old that had a BAD reaction to Dimetap..). Try it at home, a few days prior.

 

[lovedvc]

I usually give my children Tylenol before the flight and I always have a bag of lollipops handy.