Childrens Ears on the plane Please help

[Makdyn]

I just realized that I really don't know what to do for my dd's ears on the plane. My dd 5 will be chewing gum but usually she only chews it for about five minutes then wants to spit it out. DD 2 I do not give gum probably swollow it. Any suggestions?

Also dd 5 still sucks her thumb (I know I know) and dd 2 has a binky ( again I know but you never heard her scream) should I just let them do this for the plane.

 

[ducklite]

Please do'nt give kids that young gum--they really don't get it as far as not disposing of it in a sanitary manner.

Let them suck their thumb/bink/whatever. You could give the older one red licorice, it's chewy and has the same effect as gum without the mess.

Anne

 

[minnie61650]

I just realized that I really don't know what to do for my dd's ears on the plane. My dd 5 will be chewing gum but usually she only chews it for about five minutes then wants to spit it out. DD 2 I do not give gum probably swollow it. Any suggestions?

Also dd 5 still sucks her thumb (I know I know) and dd 2 has a binky ( again I know but you never heard her scream) should I just let them do this for the plane.

It is fine to let them suck a thumb or binky.
You could also give them gummy bears to chew on during take offs and landings.
Chewing is actually better then a sucking motion but either one should help.

Have fun at Disney!

 

[Fish2girls]

I just realized that I really don't know what to do for my dd's ears on the plane. My dd 5 will be chewing gum but usually she only chews it for about five minutes then wants to spit it out. DD 2 I do not give gum probably swollow it. Any suggestions?

Also dd 5 still sucks her thumb (I know I know) and dd 2 has a binky ( again I know but you never heard her scream) should I just let them do this for the plane.

We are leaving in 2 days and called our Ped. For our 4 3/4 yr. old and our 13mo. old as a backup plan we are going to use childrens Benedryl( dye and alcohol free). He stated 1tsp for DD4 and 1/2 tsp DD13 mo. (she is 21lbs ). They measure by child's weight and you give it to them 1/2 hr. before boarding to help with ears and they may fall asleep! This is what my Ped. gave me for dosage instr. you have to check with yours to be sure they have the correct amount and to be sure they are not allergic to any meds.

Other than that we will probably use fruit snacks for DD4 and 13mo. has a pacifier. We will also use sippy cups and straws/juice bxs. It is the swallowing reflex that triggers ear clearing out.

 

[jcamacam]

It is fine to let them suck a thumb or binky.
You could also give them gummy bears to chew on during take offs and landings.
Chewing is actually better then a sucking motion but either one should help.

Have fun at Disney!

We tried something for our DS4 called "ear"planes. You stick them in your ears (he thought they were cool) and they're supposed to keep them from closing up. My husband has tried the adult's as well and swears by them.

I got my DH pair at our local drug store and my son's I got right at the airport (but paid a few dollars more for them there).

That's not to say they'll work for your DS or DD but, for $5 a pair, it's worth a try!

Good luck!

 

[belle&beast]

In January we flew with DD4 and DS2. DD chewed gum without any problems. DS has had ear problems, so we were really concerned about him. We gave him a sippy cup at take off and landing and had chewy snacks in between- mostly fruit snacks and he had no problem. I would be careful using benadryl unless you know how your child reacts- my DS gets crazy hyper from it! And you don't want that on a plane!

 

[scrapmoose]

Be warned about using benedryl on some kids it has the opposite effect, it hypes them up. My poor mom gave me some when I was two and I was so hyper.

 

[gypsydoodlebug]

Chewy Gummi Lifesavers!! DD was 22 mos. her first trip, I bought a big bag of them at Wal-Mart, cut them each in half with a pair of kitchen shears and pretty much let her chew on those the whole way there. Some gummibears are really, really chewy and the Gummi Lifesavers are supersoft (I can even eat them with my braces). I had a big baggie of them on the way down there, and another on the way home. By cutting them in half, they lasted longer, and even DH kept sticking his hand out for a "hit."

 

[eeyore45]

Tootsie Rolls!! The speech teacher gives them to her kids to help exercise the tongue, and its great chewy for your ears!!

Definately hit WalMart, or Target and get ear planes - and any decongestant to dry up any fluid in the ears that may give problems (DS and DH suffer horrible pain on take offs before sudafed and ear planes!!)

 

[wacampbell]

Recently on a plane trip I learned another new alternative to gum or candy.. a juice box. I watched a mother give a 3 year old a juicy juice box right before they were taking off and he did just fine sitting there with his little green juice box. Some airlines carry juice boxes (West Jet I know does) for this very reason. I think it is brilliant.

 

[Fionasmommy]

We tried something for our DS4 called "ear"planes. You stick them in your ears (he thought they were cool) and they're supposed to keep them from closing up.

I'm going to have to look for those! Thanks for the tip!

 

[Makdyn]

Thanks for all the suggestion. I am going to pick up some ear plane tomorrow when I go to work. (Target) I also like the gummie life savers they will be happy that I am giving them candy which they normally dont have.

 

[gypsydoodlebug]

Thanks for all the suggestion. I am going to pick up some ear plane tomorrow when I go to work. (Target) I also like the gummie life savers they will be happy that I am giving them candy which they normally dont have.

It's not TOO bad for them, anyway. No worse than the fruit snacks we all given them -- just cheaper. I've found that those boxes only have about 15 snacks per package. DD can have one finished before I've even thrown the empty package away.

 

[memymomonica]

I highly recommend the EarPlanes. Have used them for myself and my daughter. Work Great!

 

[makinorlando]

I highly recommend the EarPlanes. Have used them for myself and my daughter. Work Great!

I agree. I bought these for DD for you first flight, and she won't fly without them now. They either work, or her ears don't "pop" - because she is the kind that will tell you if ANYTHING hurts or is not feeling right. I know I have come off flights with clogged ears (why don't I buy them for me too - you ask????? ), and she has had no complaints!

 

[pedro2112]

My DDs will be 8 & 6 when we go, and they don't have any serious ear issues. Is it necessary to have them chew something? Or are do all of you have kids with ear problems?

 

[Pixiedust34]

My kids have not flown since they were infants (and I didn't fly with them), so I have no idea if they will have ear pain when they fly.

My dd takes asthma meds and is not allowed to have a decongestant. She is usually "slightly sniffy" due to allergies, so I'm worried about her ears. I am looking for child-sized earplanes and hope that she will wear them OK. She has had some bad expereinces at the ENT dr. and is fussy about things touching the inside of her ears, though I will most likely insist on the Earplanes because I think she'll need them--especially since I can't give her a decongestant. I am also going to stock up on gum and chewy candy, plus pack a water bottle for each kid.

I can give ds some Sudafed, so he should be OK. We are flying SW and I hope to get A seating so I can sit with the kids and help them if their ears hurt.

I am also worried about myself. It's been well over 10 years since I've flown. When I did fly as a child/teen/young adult, I had ear pain so awful that I can't describe it. It hurt so bad that my entire jaw was in extreme pain. I was in tears the last time I was on a plane. I am going to give Earplanes a try and will hope that makes a difference. I am also trying my best to get a direct flight so we have to deal with take-off/landing only 1 time each way.

If those Earplanes work, I will be relieved!

 

[memymomonica]

They really do work. If they are put in correctly, they are comfortable. I have had to readjust. Just follow the directions. They also cut out a lot of the noise. I will always fly with them now. I have seen too many kids that are screaming in pain. My daughter doesn't wear them all the time, but I have them with me. I wear mine all the time. I hate getting off a plane and having my ears pop 3 days later.

 

[beattyfamily]

My 9 year old cries every single time from the pain. We've tried earplanes, chewing, swallowing, holding breath, Benadryl etc...nothing seems to work.

I feel so bad for her.

 

[memymomonica]

Sorry to hear that. I never take mine out. I have them in before the door closes and do not take them out until the door opens again. I have so many problems, I am not taking a chance. My DD can take them out and then put them back in. She is 8 and likes to listen to her music. I don't risk it.