When we went to WDW last year, DD's ears hurt during the flights. What can I do to help prevent her from hurting this year? (She was 9 last trip, will be almost 11 this trip)
Growing up my ears always hurt during flights. I found there wasn't much I could do. Chewing gum helped a bit, 2 pieces were better than one, but the fact was it always hurt. This may sound gross but I found jamming my finger in my ear helped for whatever reason.
She's 11 just remind her of the pain she experienced last trip and she'll have to grin and bear it. I grew out of it once I hit 16 or so, now my ears never hurt when flying. Hopefully your DD will grow out of it too.
We used Earplanes, it's like an ear plug designed for flying. They have adult ones and kid sizes. I bought ours at Walgreens, but Amazon has them if you have problems finding the child size one.
I also have a flight attendant friend who swears that if you put a wet paper towel into a cup and put the cup over your ears that your ears won't hurt. I kind of think she may just be trying to get people to look ridiculous, but it's worth a try.
Earplanes. Best ten dollars you can spend. I used them all the time when travelling for business, and never had ear pain. You will need two sets, as they really are only good for one flight.
I use peppermint essential oils on a cottonball and put them in my ears for takeoff and landing, plus i chew gum. The bottles are smaller so I can take with on the plane
The usual (gum, lollipops, yawning, swallowing hard, blowing nose) and the ear planes. The ear planes are sheer genius. Be sure to get the kid sizes. If you can't find them locally, Amazon has them.
ETA: Oh, I forgot. I do a sinus spray -- nasonex or Nasacort with the kids, particularly DS who is prone to sinus issues prior to the plane flight.
this is what I do. I start taking sudafed 1 day (regular not the 12 hour kind) a couples days before at night then the day I fly the day of one in the morning and every 4 to hours depending on when the flight leaves.