How do you help children with ear pressure on the plane?

[Minnie&Nana]

What is the over the counter name for Guiafenesin, please? Is it a nasal spray? if so, does it come in pill form? Cannot use nasal sprays.

That's remarkable about the paper cups for the ears!

Very interesting and helpful!

 

[aynt79]

One thing that works for me (although it may be hard to explain to a little kid to do it) is to force myself to yawn. It helps "clear" my ears out, and if you do it regularly it won't hurt as much as the big "pops" when the pressure changes.

Growing up I always used gum/swallowing but sometimes it didn't help and my ears would be aching by the time we got to our final destination. A couple of trips ago I discovered the yawning by accident, and no ear aches or muffled hearing since.

 

[NotUrsula]

The most common brand of OTC guaifenesin is Robitussin, though most stores carry generic versions that are much cheaper. (At Walgreens it's WalTuss; at Target it is Severe Sinus Pain formula, at Walmart it's Equate Tussin; all about $2-3 a blister pkg., with 12-24 capsules. Of these, Target is the best buy.) It comes in liquid and capsule form; the capsules usually have pseudoephedrine mixed in, and occasionally dextromethorphan as well. If you cannot take the mixed versions for some reason (severe high blood pressure, for instance) there is a capsule version of straight guaifenesin that is normally sold from behind the counter; it's high-dose (600 mg. per capsule) and normally runs about $20 per bottle.

Children can be given the liquid version; you can get the straight guaifenesin type, or the sort with other ingredients mixed in. The liquid is not as strong as the capsules, so if you prefer liquid as an adult, you'll have to slug down a fairly large dose to have it be effective. (Normal adult OTC dose is 400 mg. every 4 hrs. if you need to take it continuously; 20 minutes before takeoff should do for a flight.)

 

[Minnie&Nana]

Thanks, NotUrsula -

I am familiar with all of the brands you listed. No liquid for me (YUCK)..feel so sorry for little ones when that's the only option.

Thanks again!

 

[piglet33]

Here's another vote for EarPlanes. Don't forget a pacifier, sippy cups or bottle or gum if they're old enough.

 

[PoohBear]

NotUrsula has got the idea. Sorry this is long...
I was told by my DS pediatrician that the pain only happens when there is fluid in the eardrum. **Warning technical information ahead** She said that the presence of fluid interferes with the eardrums ability to balance the outside pressure with the pressure inside the drum because the air density outside the drum differs from the fluid density inside the drum.
The key for you is why the fluid is there. In my DS's case, he has constant allergies. So, a decongestant alone does not work since he will still constantly produce fluids because of the allergies. He has to have an antihistamine and a decongestant. If it is just a cold like my other DS has had then just the decongestant works fine.
If there is still a problem the doc offered this advice... anything that will open their jaws similar to the way a baby nurses will take fluid out of the middle ear. She said this is why nursed babies often have less ear infections than bottle fed.
Before I knew this I did have some success with ear planes and even more success with chewy candy. When they were babies Playtex nursers worked well since it is not very convenient to nurse during landing. Those bottles do seem to make them work their jaws just like nursing. Hope this helps.