what to do for kid's "ear popping" during take off and landing?

[Lucy6]

We don't fly very often, and are taking our 9 and 5 year old children on a plane for their first time to go to WDW in a few weeks. Does anyone have suggestions for take off and landing to make it easier on them? I am wondering if I should have them chew gum, or have water bottles for them?? Any input greatly appreciated.

 

[goofy4tink]

Anything that makes them swallow will help. My dd has her water bottle. And she tried to yawn during take-offs. that helps too.

 

[G00fyDad]

http://shop.store.yahoo.com/cirrushealthcare/earplanes.html

You can buy these at Target and Walmart too for about $6 for a two pack. From what I have heard, they are worth it. I have never flown with DS2 so I plan to get them. It'll be easier than trying to get him to yawn. LOL

 

[Harligirl]

I always do the gum thing but I also give them Sudafed 30 minutes before take off. I don't know if it helps but we haven't had a problem yet. Especially if the have any kind of congestion..dries it up a bit.

 

[Luckymommyx2]

I second the Earplanes! They are a life-saver, for me too! I was able to buy them at our grocery store.

 

[Lucy6]

Thanks for the link goofydad! I am headed to Target today! I think I will also have water bottles on hand. Thanks for all the input...once again...the DISboards come through.

 

[beattyfamily]

I have a 5 and 8 year old and the 8 year old cries every single trip no matter what I try.

I've tried everything I've read as a recommendation; the ear planes, Sudifed, Benedryl, chewing candy/gum and drinks. Nothing has worked 100%, unfortuately but I'd say the ear planes reduced the pain a little.

Frustrated mom here...

 

[G00fyDad]

I have a 5 and 8 year old and the 8 year old cries every single trip no matter what I try.

I've tried everything I've read as a recommendation; the ear planes, Sudifed, Benedryl, chewing candy/gum and drinks. Nothing has worked 100%, unfortuately but I'd say the ear planes reduced the pain a little.

Frustrated mom here...

Since this is DS2 and DD10's first Disney/Plane trip ever I dont want to take any chances. I plan on trying an earwax removal kit on them and see if that helps their ears automatically adjust even with the earplanes.

 

[cmcsharon]

My daughter and I used to have this problem all the time...it's so painful I can understand why the kids are crying...I wanted to cry. It wasn't until we were sitting next to a Doctor on a flight that we found out what to do. The pain is because the ear canal is compressing and you need to open it back up. What the Doctor told us was to close your mouth, hold your nose closed real tight...and then blow really hard. The air travels up the ear canals and opens them back up. It really works!!! They said it was the same technique scuba divers have to use sometimes to equalize the pressure. We do this everytime I fly now...a few times at take off and again a few times during landing and it really works! No more pain!!!

What a great Doctor that was too...she even pulled out her little ear scope thing and looked in my 4 year old's ear while she blew to make sure she was doing it correctly. With kids...it only takes a couple seconds of blowing and it works because their canals are shorter...for me it takes a little bit longer. Sometimes a couple of times to clear them.

My daughter hated flying because of the pain (she was 4 when we learned to do this) and now she loves it...she'll be 9 when we leave for our next flight. I just start reminding her as we are taking off to start blowing and she does it right along with me.

 

[LAH]

I suck on lifesavors which work well for me.

 

[Lucy6]

Great tip, cmcsharon! Thanks.

 

[G00fyDad]

My daughter and I used to have this problem all the time...it's so painful I can understand why the kids are crying...I wanted to cry. It wasn't until we were sitting next to a Doctor on a flight that we found out what to do. The pain is because the ear canal is compressing and you need to open it back up. What the Doctor told us was to close your mouth, hold your nose closed real tight...and then blow really hard. The air travels up the ear canals and opens them back up. It really works!!! They said it was the same technique scuba divers have to use sometimes to equalize the pressure. We do this everytime I fly now...a few times at take off and again a few times during landing and it really works! No more pain!!!

What a great Doctor that was too...she even pulled out her little ear scope thing and looked in my 4 year old's ear while she blew to make sure she was doing it correctly. With kids...it only takes a couple seconds of blowing and it works because their canals are shorter...for me it takes a little bit longer. Sometimes a couple of times to clear them.

My daughter hated flying because of the pain (she was 4 when we learned to do this) and now she loves it...she'll be 9 when we leave for our next flight. I just start reminding her as we are taking off to start blowing and she does it right along with me.

That has to be hillarious seeing you both breathing like that on the plane. I am going to try that and have DW and DD do it too. Only problem is DS. He will only be 2 and he already hard headed. I'll never get him to do it. LOL I will just have to hope the earplanes thing works.

 

[cmcsharon]

That has to be hillarious seeing you both breathing like that on the plane.

I'll take looking 'goofy' over that pain any day!! Besides...that's what window seats are for! Turn towards the window and nobody even knows!

 

[G00fyDad]

I'll tell DW that in order for it to work we need to stand up and face the rear of he plane.

 

[mom_rules]

A cheap little trick the flight attendants taught us (when a little girl about 2 yrs old was screaming at the top of her lungs from the pain on take off)-two styrofoam cups half filled with cotton batting pressed tightly over the ears. Also gave her a water bottle (with the sqeeze type top) to suck on. She stopped almost immediately.

Us, we don't fly without our earplanes-bought them at our local pharmacy.

 

[cmcsharon]

G00fyDad I'll tell DW that in order for it to work we need to stand up and face the rear of he plane.

Now that's just wrong!!!

Hey GOOfyDad...this is our very first trip to WDW and we're staying at the CBR too!

I think I like our countdown a little better...since it just hit the double digits!

 

[G00fyDad]

Now that's just wrong!!!

Hey GOOfyDad...this is our very first trip to WDW and we're staying at the CBR too!

I think I like our countdown a little better...since it just hit the double digits!

Ha Ha Ha. My counter is so high right now I'm developing a twitch.
Not being able to find a Disney ringtone for the last 3 hours hasnt helped.

 

[disney0928]

We have used those fruit snacks for our kids when we flew in '03.....DS's were 4yrs and 16 mons. at the time. We bought ones that were Disney character shaped, which helped to distract them as well as get them chewing to pop their ears. A dose of Benadryl & Ibuprofen about 30-45 min prior to boarding also helps.... Benadryl to drain any congestion & Ibuprofen for pain (they also help in the sleep department ). We ahd a great flight both ways from BOS to MCO, almost 3hrs each way.

Good luck!

 

[Gary M]

Earplanes have worked very well for me.

 

[Simba's Mom]

A cheap little trick the flight attendants taught us (when a little girl about 2 yrs old was screaming at the top of her lungs from the pain on take off)-two styrofoam cups half filled with cotton batting pressed tightly over the ears.

On one flight we were on(not to WDW), the flight attendants called these "wearing Mickey Ears" to encourage the children to accept them put over the ears. Hearing that, the kid actually wanted to have them!