ears-kids-flying ??

[Macduffy]

Does anyone have any tips for helping toddlers and preschoolers with their ears when flying? Someone said their Dr. recommended Benadryl but t I'm not sure that would work (it's an antihistamine?). I've also read about giving them something to drink while landing/taking off but my dear children have a tendency to do the exact opposite of what I need them to do when it counts so I'd like to be prepared since I heard it can be really painful for them (and evidently other passengers )

 

[Dani C]

Can they chew gum? If so, it works really well. If not, go with fruit snacks, gummies, something like that. (If they are chewing it keeps down the pressure.) For little ones, bottles or binkys work also with the general sucking motion.

 

[thebeesknees]

Try Earplanes. They are earplugs that neutralize the pressure changes. There is a junior version that worked great for my kids when they were 2 and 4. We reused them for several trips. My doctor said Benadryl ahead of time would clear out any fluid up there and make them sleepy, as well. Unfortunately, it had the opposite effect on my children and hyped them up (happens to 10% of kids), so you might want to try it out a day or two ahead of time to see what effect it has on your children. We don't do Benadryl anymore because of that, just stick with the earplugs and chew gum and they are fine.

 

[emilyann415]

I am an audiologist and a mother of a 3YO. I have never had good luck with Earplanes...used to sell them in my office but have since stopped (you can call audiologists offices and usually someone is selling them or can get them). I just don't have a lot of faith in them personally. I agree with PP that getting them to drink or chew is the easiest for me. Gum is the best as it is consistant. Liquids they never seem to time just right. Anything you can do to get them swallowing.... That being said, unless your child has allergies or the beginning or end of a cold, they really shouldn't have too much trouble. It has to do with the middle ear pressure...if you are really worried, have your family dr. run a tympanogram a day or two before going. If it shows it's not normal, then you should have a plan otherwise, I wouldn't worry personally.

 

[Dizneydaz]

My DD9 started flying when she was almost 3. I worried that her ears would bother her and gave her gum to chew the first few times but honestly she's never had a problem and has flown many times now. She loves to fly!

 

[amamax2]

Both of my children, but especially my youngest DS, had terrible problems with their ears and the pressure changes (it is only when landing, not take-off). Even when we would go to the mountains locally, their ears would hurt so much on the descent - which is nothing like being on an airplane.

We tried everything - gum, hard candy, drinking, etc to no effect - until the dr told us to use an OTC DECONGESTANT - not an antihistamine. The decongestant opens up the passages. At first I was a bit uneasy giving my children medicine when they weren't sick, but their misery made me try it and it worked great! Give you child a dose one hour before landing - we used the Triaminc Thinstrips because they were easily carried and not subject to the liquids rule.

Luckily, around the age of 9 for both, they seemed to have outgrown it.

Good luck!

 

[DisTwix]

As an adult, I have this problem. I tend to have a lot of fluid in my ears (or so I've been told) and it's just a constant thing.

I always take a decongestant. I always have gum. And I'll use a nose spray like Afrin right before getting on the plane - the spray actually effects the ear canals as well.

I also try to have a bottle of water handy, just in case I need to have something to gulp.

If you test out the Benadryl decongestant for kids (what one of my girlfriends has used), it may be just the ticket.

Good Luck!

 

[**Stephanie**]

Hello!

My 2 daughters have always been nervous when flying because of the pressure, my 8 year old would get it the worst and even begged us to drive instead....NOT going to happen

I tried the benadryl on the last trip and it was perfect! We are trying it again this year. I have to say save your money on the earplanes I bought the smaller kid size and they still complained that they were uncomfortable and would not keep them in. I did not like them for myself either...I'll stick with a dose of nyquil! That stuff is gold!...calms my nerves and lets me get some rest!

 

[HETRICKL]

I've also given my kids suckers - like Dum Dums to keep the constant sucking going and they tend to last longer than snacks especially on landing.

 

[natashag76]

if you decide to go the "give 'em drink" route, it has to be from a cup/bottle that requires sucking. Using a sippy cup with a straw or a baby bottle would be best. I've heard of earplanes, but never used them. There is an ear numbing drop, but you have to get a prescription. As far as the benadryl thing, it only makes them sleepy/knocks them out. But if yours are like mine, Benadryl wakes them up!! Apparently that happens in 5-10% of kids - we just got lucky.

 

[dopeynme]

I don't have kids, but I use the adult size earplanes myself. I don't have ear pain but I have trouble getting my ears to "pop" and they feel stuffed, sometimes for days! With earplanes, no problem.

If you are interested, you can get them at cvs and other chain stores, as well as Magellan.com.

 

[Dani C]

I don't have ear pain but I have trouble getting my ears to "pop" and they feel stuffed, sometimes for days!

This doesn't always work for everyone, but you can try it. Close your eyes, hold your nose (like to keep water from going up it), and blow out. Afterward, swallow. This can relieve the pressure when it is already there.

 

[MickeyMom2Boys]

We used the kids EarPlanes for our 5 year old on the way to Disney and he had absolutely no problems. On the way back, I forgot them and he had a lot of pain and pressure and was in tears for the entire landing. I will definitely use them again!

 

[tink&stitchmom]

I get my kids ring pops which are like a large pacifier. Sucking on those while landing appears to work for them--no complaints!

 

[rannxerox]

We had our youngest, maybe 8 at the time, end up with a double ear infection. Ended up taking her to the hospital while on site. She has almost always had ear issues on planes, even now as a teen. We now use a sinus med before trips and pop lots of Vit. C. and that seems to help.

 

[snarlingcoyote]

I know I learned how to clear my own ears and pop 'em when I was 5. Has anyone tried teaching their kids this trick? You just sort of pretend to swallow - trigger the swallow muscle but nothing else - and hey presto, your ears clear.

I used to amuse myself by doing this repeatedly as a child when we travelled. And of course, it was always great fun to see adults who didn't know how to clear their ears. . .

 

[MissRoseDarrensAngel]

I've got some bubble gum for my sister's 2 kids for when we leave next Thursday morning for them to chew. Its in my purse for them, and I will give them each a piece once on the plane before takeoff then make sure they have some for landing, and with instructions that when done chewing, they place the gum in wrappers & in a trash can only.

I generally have no issues with my ears when flying then again I am a fairly experienced airplane passenger, and know what works for me to relieve ear issues.

 

[jettyspagetti]

I recommend a decongestant. My children's doc recommended Claritin D for my son and myself, I have a horrible time with my ears when flying and was usually reduced to tears during most flights. We take a clartitan about an hour before takeoff and it works wonders! My daughter was just 20 months the first time she flew and was given a prescription for Atarax. It has a sedative effect but wears off after a few hours. Everyone was ready for fun when we arrived.

 

[schoonersky]

My DD(now 7) had terrible ear pain last August on all four flights (two each way). Always the last hour of the flight. Tried gum, chewing / swallowing, and earplanes. Didn't help. My poor princess cried quietly the last hour of every flight.

Spoke to doctor about it, and my best friend who is an audiologist. Have purchased a kids decongestant (although mine is liquid - never thought of the Triaminic ThinStrips) as well as Otrivin decongestant nasal spray. I thought Benydryl was an antihistamine, but will check as we carry it for allergies. If it is a decongestant, that would be convenient because honestly, if she were able to sleep through that I would prefer it to watching her suffer for four very long hours. We actually contemplated driving (a 33 hour drive each way) this year, to avoid the issue.

I have my fingers crossed that these things work next Tuesday when we get on the plane. I will post when we return to let you know how it went.

 

[DisTwix]

I know I learned how to clear my own ears and pop 'em when I was 5. Has anyone tried teaching their kids this trick? You just sort of pretend to swallow - trigger the swallow muscle but nothing else - and hey presto, your ears clear.

I used to amuse myself by doing this repeatedly as a child when we travelled. And of course, it was always great fun to see adults who didn't know how to clear their ears. . .

Actually, sometimes, it just doesn't help. I've also known how to clear my ears since early childhood, and have still had issues my whole life. I've learned that decongestants are the only thing that solve the issue for me if I'm going to be dealing with pressure changes.

I wish clearing the ears was all it took!