Best thing to help kids ears pop on the aiplane??

[mommy22pumpkins]

Hello all you other moms out there I was wondering what works best on airplanes to help decompress the kids ears during take-off and landing. I am worried about them getting an earache. i had heard you can buy drinks in the airport (ie juice etc) after you go through security and you and take it on the plane. Can anyone tell me if this is true or what you opted to bring?

thanks in advance

Danielle

 

[Ladysunflr]

yes, you can carry any liquids onto a plane that you purchase once you get through the security.. so you'll be able to buy juices and soda there.. I always try to chew gum.. seems to help.. not sure how old the kids are, but you might want to bring gum just in case

 

[ChelleinNC]

I always buy a bag of tootsie pops before we fly. When we get on the runway they get a tootsie pop and one when we are landing. The sucking and swallowing helps prevent/stop ear pain. They've worked really well for my kids over the years.

 

[LuvIt]

lollipops!

 

[indimini]

I'm not a mom but I would suggest children's earplanes. I know our local drugstores usually carry them. We've used these for years with our kids and they work incredibly well.

 

[dopeynme]

Yes, I have used ear-planes myself. They come in adult size and child size. I recommend them. Learned about them here on the DIS!!!

 

[DznyDreamz]

My DD has ultra-sensitive ears. I am going to try earplanes this trip. I also heard an antihistamine (like children's Benadryl) can help too along with the earplanes. Haven't tried it myself, but my hairdresser told me so it must be true

 

[Echo queen]

I read on the dis some time ago that decongestats like Sudafed work Would love to hear some input on this, I have the Sudafed ready to go.

 

[karliebug]

I give my kids dimetapp decongestant and use earplanes. They used to be really bothered by flying, me too, but not anymore.

 

[Grumpy23]

I, as an adult, have always had a horrific time with take off and landing with ear pressure. So much that my hearing was affected for a while after landing.

I first tried the Earplanes for my WDW trip about 2 years ago, and they work wonderful for me and make all the difference in the world to make me more comfortable. Now every trip we go on, that is one of the first things on my list to buy and put in my carryon. Gum just didn't do it for me.

 

[jendon1997]

I'm not sure the age of your children. My youngest was 2 1/2 for our last trip in July. The airport security allowed me to take 2 juice pouches through security. They asked her age and looked at her, then said it was ok. I would have just thrown them out if I had been told no.

 

[xnascar2x]

My DW and DD both used Ear Planes on our last trip and had not problems what so ever.

 

[kparc]

Yes, I have used ear-planes myself. They come in adult size and child size. I recommend them. Learned about them here on the DIS!!!

Ditto for us!!!

 

[Rora]

Ear Planes are wonderful. My ears are really sensitive and they work wonders. I'm almost positive that they have Children's Ear Planes. They're expensive but well worth it.

 

[DznyDreamz]

Are the Earplanes commonly found at major chain or pharmacy stores?

 

[all4fun]

Are the Earplanes commonly found at major chain or pharmacy stores?

I've seen them at Target with the other earplugs. Someone correct me if I'm wrong but don't you have to put these in before take off and leave them in until you've reached cruising altitude? I know my ds would not leave them (he's only 4) so I haven't tried them.

Quite honestly unless they have ear problems they probably won't have much issue with pressure on the airplane. The only time either myself or ds has had an issue was when we both had a head cold. Then a little decongestant may have helped, if I had been smart enough to administer it before departure.He was crying and my ears hurt too, so you can bet I felt like a bad mommy!

There's a section about ears and air pressure changes on this site: http://flyingwithchildren.blogspot.com/ it's a blog written by a former FA of 13yrs, who flies frequently with her 3 kids. Mostly air pressure changes tend to affect people on descent and you have to start "prepping" for it when they start preparing the plane for landing - approx 1hr prior unless you're on a shorter flight. If you wait until the plane actually starts final decent, it's too late. We usually give ds something to drink in his sippy cup. DH and I bring gum to chew which causes you to salivate which causes you to swallow. Swallowing is what helps equalize the pressure in your ears.

hth

 

[Ariel8676]

Earplanes...we have seen them at Walmart, Target and CVS. My DH and oldest DD 6 have been using them for a few years now. You can put them in (you screw them in like a cork screw) at take off, then you can take them out until you are starting to land. My 1 1/2 yo was really complaining about her ears on our flight a few weeks ago, and luckily we had an extra pair of children's..we popped them in and she said "Thank you boo boo gone"...lol

 

[WDW Poly Princess]

Am I the only one earplanes didn't work for? My ears actually hurt worse when I used them. Maybe I had them in wrong somehow?

 

[Luckymomoftwo]

Another suggestion if you don't want to spend a small fortune on drinks inside the airport after passing through security...

Bring an empty water bottle or sippy cup and ask a flight attendant to fill it with water or juice before the flight takes off. We always fly Southwest and they are always more than happy to do that for us because they sure don't want a screaming child with an earache on their flight!

I've also heard that giving them a decongestant before the flight helps. We've always made sure to have lots of chips or crackers. We try to avoid cookies because we don't want them bouncing off the seats on the airplane!

 

[Grumpy23]

We try to avoid cookies because we don't want them bouncing off the seats on the airplane!

And we, as fellow Southwest passengers, thank you for that!