Pearson airport and pain in children's ears?

[Susan2771]

I was told that planes flying into Pearson Airport have to descend in such a way (hope this makes sense) that it really hurts the inside of the ears for a lot of children. I know back in Jan of 2007 our daughter who was 15 months at the time was howling in pain and always touching her ears when we fly back from WDW, and that is when the comment was made to us by a flight attendant and some other parents have told me this as well.
Has anyone else experienced this with their children? Anyone have any tips as to how make it more bearable? We are flying now with 2 and our youngest will also be 15 months when we make this trip in 18 days. Is there anything we can do to help ease the pain in case it happens again? Thanks!

 

[Luhts]

My dh has an inner ear problem, and he suffers terribly sometimes during landings. He says it's not the airport, it's the plane. I think it is 737s that are the worst for him, but he's away so I can't confirm that, sorry.

I always have my kids eating or drinking during landing. I know that it's common to suggest chewing gum, but it's the swallowing that really seems to help.

 

[Wazzo]

Have you tried using Earplanes? I find that they really help. And, they do make child sized ones too!

You can find them at most pharmacies, or major stores with pharmacy sections. If you Google "earplanes" under images, you'll see what they look like. HTH!

 

[OntFamily]

I was told that planes flying into Pearson Airport have to descend in such a way (hope this makes sense) that it really hurts the inside of the ears for a lot of children.

I have flown into Pearson many times, and have not found anything abnormal about the landings. If anythng, the landing is very gradual (there are no tall buildings, etc around the airport that the jet needs to avoid).

 

[dhluvsDisney]

Have you tried using Earplanes? I find that they really help. And, they do make child sized ones too!

You can find them at most pharmacies, or major stores with pharmacy sections. If you Google "earplanes" under images, you'll see what they look like. HTH!

Definately try the Earplanes. Most stores don't carry the children's size, but it doesn't take much if you talk to the pharmacist to special order them.

 

[pl'smama]

I have always had a lot of ear pain upon landing, at any airport, not just Pearson. My DD, now five, has flown twice, first time when she was almost four. I gave her some decongestant, on my doctor's advice, for the flight and she did not have any problems. On our second trip this past winter I found out about the "earplanes" and bought some for myself and DD. We both used them and I feel that I did have less pain for myself. DD was a bit uncomfortable, unlike the first time she flew, but it did not last long.

I really suggest getting the "earplanes" and using them for your children. Give the oldest some fruit chews, a granola bar or other things to suck on or chew. Is the youngest on a bottle still or a sippy cup? Use that is needed, but with the "earplanes."

Please let us know how things worked out for you, okay? Have a wonderful trip.

Suz

 

[Susan2771]

Thank-you all for the suggestions. I will go today and see if I can find the earplanes for the girls.
Many parents also suggested to us before we went to WDW that we give our daughter decongestant as well just before we board the flight and it would just help her sleep through it. They all swore by this so we thought great. We had a peditrican appointment just before we left and we ran this idea by him and he advised us not to do it. He explained that what if she started to become ill on the flight or passed out. We wouldn't know if it was just a reaction to the medicine or if something was actually wrong with her. We didn't do it. We did try giving her a bottle when she was in distress, hoping the sucking would help her ears but she refused to take it, she was just so focused on pulling her ears and clinging to my husband who was holding her. We felt like horrible parents because we couldn't do anything to help and of course we felt badly for those around us that also had to listen to her screaming and crying. Better find those earplanes! Thanks again.

 

[Wazzo]

Better find those earplanes! Thanks again.

I hope they do the trick for you!

I have found them in the pharmacy section in Loblaws and Walmart, and also near the earplugs in Shopper's Drug Mart. Don't be afraid to ask for them, they are pretty common. At Walmart and Loblaws they are usually on some sort of rack that is also displaying ear plugs, swimming nose plugs, etc.

 

[Babyjustrun]

I find it only bugs me when landing in Orlando, or landing at the home airport...
But the second one is probably more being sad that I'm home pain =P

I've only found the pain so intense on the way home

 

[KPLC]

We have flown many times and I always give my children something to suck on the take off and landing - when they were much younger - I would either breastfeed on take off / landing and when they were old enough give them a bottle and make them suck on that. Now that they are older I let them chew gum for the take off and landings - the sucking / chewing motion is all they have ever needed on all their flights to keep their ears from hurting.