Tips for flying with a preschooler?

[AinsleyLM]

Hi! We are leaving in a few weeks for our trip. Little man is 3 and this is his first time to fly. Anyone have any tips for helping with ears popping? He has trouble with his ears (multiple ear infections and tubes). No gum allowed for him, not even for special occasions. He choked on a large gummy about a month ago and scared the mess out of his mom and me. If it was this time a year ago, we would still have a paci to help, but he is too big for it now. We were thinking maybe little fruity snacks, but any ideas would be appreciated!

 

[amomma23]

Our 7 year-old has ear trouble when we fly. His pediatrician gave us 3 things to do that work every time. First, we give him a regular dose of children's Tylenol about 30 min before boarding. Next, we put in his EarPlanes once we get settled in our seats. These 2 thing really do the trick. If his ears start to feel funny when we start to descend, we give him a drink with a straw to suck on.

(We bring an empty straw cup from home and fill it after security, but TSA will allow a drink in a sippy cup for little ones. You just have to let them know you have it so they can test it.)

EarPlanes... http://www.drugstore.com/products/prod.asp?pid=12444&catid=183126

 

[2009CAN]

Ours three were between 2- and 4-years old last time we flew. I kept telling them to yawn and each time they did their ears would pop. that's also how I get mine to pop.

 

[Crl1817]

Lollipop for ear popping

For entertainment, iPad and snacks

Just in case, at least one full set of clean clothes in the carry on (I have given away clothes twice to kids who puked on planes whose parents didn't have any spares) plus a couple of gallon size ziplock bags and a clean shirt for each parent.

 

[robinsnest49ers]

Hi! We are leaving in a few weeks for our trip. Little man is 3 and this is his first time to fly. Anyone have any tips for helping with ears popping? He has trouble with his ears (multiple ear infections and tubes). No gum allowed for him, not even for special occasions. He choked on a large gummy about a month ago and scared the crap out of his mom and me. If it was this time a year ago, we would still have a paci to help, but he is too big for it now. We were thinking maybe little fruity snacks, but any ideas would be appreciated!

If he still has the tubes in it should be no problem. I have tubes in my ears and am the only one in the family who doesn't have a problem. My doctor says it equalizes itself. I always give my kids a decongestant about a half hour before. Keeps their ears open and makes them a little drowsy so they may sleep. Suckers are good, gummies would be good too. Anything that keeps his mouth "chewing" . Just an FYI. My kids never have a problem on the way up, it's the descent that bothers them. Good luck

 

[baseballnut]

Lots and lots of water the days leading up to the flight. I've had ear issues my entire life and staying properly hydrated helps.

Also, suckers. They have "healthy" ones.

Have fun!

 

[Crl1817]

Lots and lots of water the days leading up to the flight. I've had ear issues my entire life and staying properly hydrated helps.

Also, suckers. They have "healthy" ones.

Have fun!

Yes, if you want healthy lollipops, you can get xylitol on amazon. Our dentists recommend xylitol.

 

[Mainst]

Lollipop for ear popping For entertainment, iPad and snacks Just in case, at least one full set of clean clothes in the carry on (I have given away clothes twice to kids who puked on planes whose parents didn't have any spares) plus a couple of gallon size ziplock bags and a clean shirt for each parent.

Best advice about clothes. Last we fly kids were 3 and 12 months. Baby projectile all over self and me. 3 year old for grossed out and lost his lunch too. Thank god I had a sweatshirt for my self . My fav tshirt, bra, and kids clothes all went in trash. Thankfully Delta soap is peppermint so I could smear on my shorts.

While riding in valet bus to get our car we realized 2 other couples were on our plane. One mentioned how well behaved. The other said they didn't hear them just smelled them on the plane. Oops...life happens even at 37k feet.

 

[Betty Rohrer]

I second the complete change of clothes for everyone including all adults in carryon. nothing worse than needing and not having. lollypops for ear pain. getting child used to using earphones. for TSA screening holding hands at side and not touching sides of scanner. can not carry lovie or blanket thru scanner as they have to go though the exray part and can not be carried thru no matter how much child wants.

 

[MSSANDRA]

Absolutely at least a shirt for everyone. DH once spent about 8 hours in a "assaulted" shirt. Not fun for anyone. Lots of great ideas. I like the suckers that are shaped like a passie as they last a while, low choke risk and are just fun! A sippy cup that is a bit more difficult to drink from is also a good idea. Honestly with all his ear issues, I would put in a call to his ENT to see what they suggest.

 

[laughinplace199]

One of my kids had terrible ear pain when we flew. Since we found "Earplanes" he has had no issues. They make them in kids size too!

 

[Tropics]

I also agree with PPs who have said to take extra clothes. Take an extra shirt for each adult and at least two changes of clothes for your son. We had the fun of having my daughter projectile vomit on the plane from Orlando in December, in the next airport waiting for our next flight and then again on our last flight. We had one spare change of clothes. I will never forget running through the airport in Toronto (which is HUGE) looking in every shop asking if they had pants and a shirt for a toddler. I managed to get a track suit... $80 later!

For ear popping, you can also try the fruit/veggie squeeze packs. The sucking to ingest the veggies from the squeeze pack helps. Because you are travelling with a small child, airport security should let you take them on. We have also travelled with sippy/straw cups full of almond or cows milk and those cups also work. A simple explanation of allergies has always let us through (after some testing). I'm not sure if your son is any better than my daughter with lollipops but if you haven't tried them before then be warned that some kids can make a HUGE mess out of these (my daughter is particularly talented).

As for keeping them occupied, beyond the iPad (which I always reserve for the near the end when DD is getting antsy), I also get her new stickers, a new colouring book and new books that I can read to her on the plane. Having a few new things has helped keep her interest in them a bit longer because of the novelty.

 

[Habbott]

We did gummy bears on our last plane trip with our then 3.5 yr old. They worked out great.

I always travel with a complete set of clothes for each person in the carry on. I've heard horror stories of those who haven't. Not pretty.

For entertainment we had an iPad with movie loaded onto it and kid friendly headphones. Besides that, the biggest hit was the plane I bought on amazon. We flew southwest and bought the little replica plane. They usually sell them in the airport gift shops, but add at least $7 to the amazon price. Even the flight attendants told him how much they liked his plane. He spent most of his time looking out the windows or quietly chatting with us.

I also try to get a seat in the middle back of the plane. It is loud, which works great for muffling kid noises that might annoy others.

 

[theduhaimes]

Once my kids got too old for the pacifer or bottle, we started using ring pops. They slide it on the finger and suck on it like a pacifer. You can buy a 4 pack at Walmart or the Dollar Store.

 

[ebradley23]

If he has tubes, he won't have pressure build up. Physically impossible.

 

[AinsleyLM]

Thank you all for your ideas! I should have explained myself better. My nephew's latest set of tubes have fallen out.
I hadn't thought of a sucker! That may be the way to go. He hasn't had any big suckers, but he does really well with the little dumdum suckers. That is a really good idea.