Airplane Travel w/a Cold-any advice?

[mamacatnv]

Well, as feared, the cold that started with me Thanksgiving weekend has made it to everyone, with DD(7) coming down with it this morning. We fly out of here Sunday 12/25/05 - Any advice on keeping her comfortable, we are concerned about the pressure and her ears?

Thanks,

 

[WIDisneyFan]

Unfortunately I don't think there is a great answer on this. I fly very regularly for work and have done it many times with a cold. Sometimes it does make for an uncomfortable trip but more often that not its no worse than just the cold (at least that is the case for me) The only thing I would consider is using some type of a decongestant just to reduce any sinus pressure ahead of time. Beyond that just keep the mood upbeat and fun and its amazing how fast a flight can go.

Good luck and have a wonderful vacation !

 

[julia & nicks mom]

My DH has trouble with his ears and he uses a product called Earplanes - you can find them at Walgreens probably any drug store -they are ear plugs he puts in his ears and he says it always helps

 

[magiroux]

Dr gave us some great advice we have followed every time my dd has flown.

1/2 dose of benedryl at least 1/2 hour before take off. I take it in my carry on and administer it after I go through security. 1/2 dose because sometimes kids can have a "hyperactive" reaction to benedryl, but 1/2 dose should have the opposite effect .

This will dry the fluid that tends to build up in a child's ear do to the drainage not being fully developed yet (especially when they have a cold) and will help in both pressure from take off/landing and airplane cooties that may settle in your child's ear causing ear infectons.

Please double check with your own pedictrician, but we have followed this ER Dr's advice after spending two nights in the ER on a FL Trip and have never had another problem. DD is now 10 yrs old.

 

[jaded]

also, make sure she's either drinking or chewing gum during take off and landing. it will help decrease the pressure on her ears.

 

[mama22]

I once flew with a cold and ended up with HORRIBLE HORRIBLE ear pain due to the pressure. I wanted to just literally scream, but I remember just sitting and crying it hurt so bad. Needless to say, I'm very sensitive to this issue.

My kids had stuffy noses and occasional cough on the way to WDW, got better while there, and then got new colds for the flight back home (Lovely .) I used Pediacare cold and cough for both trips, gave it to them about 6 to 7 hours before the flight, and then a second dose 1/2 hour before the flight (6 hours after first dose). I also brought juice boxes that they drank from for take off, and then I saved some water from the flight for them to sip as we landed. It worked great! They also slept great which was an added bonus! I believe benadryl may help also, but that is an antihistamine, not a decongestant so it works differently, and one may work better than the other for your child given the circumstance. Just give a call to your Pediatricians office to see which they recommend. Good luck and have fun!

 

[mamacatnv]

Thank you all for your tricks - I have put in a call to the Dr. to find out what type of medicine to give her for the best results. I also will go looking for the Earplanes, sounds interesting. We have to take off and land 2x's and I just don't want her to be miserable, when she was a baby I either nursed her or gave her a pacifier, now she is 7 I don't think those will work . When we drive up over the mountains to California she usually has a little bit of trouble going down and we always get her some gum.