Young Children, and Airplane Ears..

[ThreeMusketeers]

I am so worried about my daughter having an earache when we get off the airplane.

So far, I have bought a bag of tootsie rolls, got her a special cup with a retractable straw that she can suck her water out of. But I am still worried. I looked at Earplanes, but I think she will be picking at them so much they will do no good. She is 3.5. Does anyone have any ideas or words of comfort??

 

[GatorGal]

My daughter started complaining about her ears hurting when she was about 4, it's usually worse when we are landing, but by the time we are on the ground, she's fine. On our last flight this month, I tried Earplanes, but they made her throw up twice on the plane so I didn't use them again. Sounds like you're on the right track with stuff for her to drink and chew. Good luck.

 

[TammyJ]

It does sound like you have a lot of good ideas. You can try to get your daughter to yawn during descent although that never worked with my daughter...she always fake yawned and it didn't have the same effect. As a last resort I try to get her to make funny faces that sort of stretch the area around the ear (hard to describe) this isn't the most full-proof method but I have found it can help if your other ideas don't.

 

[jewellmmc]

Yep, I like to yawn. BUT I wouldn't recommend holding your nose closed and blowing (anyoine ever do that?) becuase even though it works, I find that hurts. Mind you, I'm not a lover of airplanes...(ok so I'm really scared of them!)

 

[graygables]

Whale talk like Dorie! It really is funny to watch, but it does work! BTW, I was told to NEVER hold my nose and blow. I have one DD who has serious problems, so we use earplanes for her (never heard of them make anyone throw up, though), but we still have to "whale talk". "Aaaarrrrre you readyyyy to gooooo to Orrrlaaaandoooo???"

Good luck!

 

[Breakfast@Tiffany's]

We are leaving soon and taking dd4 on her first plane ride. I called her pediatrician for advice because I bought the ear planes but read that they can cause an upset stomach. The dr told me to give dd a decongestant before we left for airport, make sure she didn't sleep during the takeoff or landing and also take off her shoes during the flight. I'm not sure if we will be doing all of those things, but thought I would pass along his advice. I will probably give her fruit chews to see if that helps. Good luck to you!

 

[UrsulasShadow]

This was discussed a few months ago, and many agreed with the Dimetapp before takeoff. It helps a lot with reducing fluid in the inner/middle ear, keeps sinuses a little more open. Make sure they drink water, though, or they get really dried out.

 

[littleprissboutique]

Hi all...


My dd always wears her earplanes. Will not board without them... LOL


But the pedi gave us this advice when we took our first trip with her at 10 mo old.

Drinking and chewing is good, but you dont have to worry about your childs eardrums.

If it starts to hurt they are going to cry, and crying opens up the tubes in the ear so the fluid can drain. So, If they hurt, your child will cry and the problem should resolve itself.

We are always told to bring our dd in one week before we fly. This way is she has an ear infection they can start meds... Flying with ear problems is a totally different ball of wax----no pun intended That will need to be addressed by your pedi. But under normal conditions your child should be fine. If there ears hurt and they dont cry there may be a problem... Just talk to your pedi..

 

[Grumpy's Wife]

If the kids are old enough to chew gum that really worked for us.

 

[Windy City Heather]

My dd is 3 and flies 3-4 times a year. We have never had a problem with ears. I was once told by a very seasoned flier that drinking is the best thing to do for ears. We have a sippy cup out for take off and landing. Early on I always had to give it to her, now she just asks. She is almost always asleep for either take off or landing.

Our last fight she had a cold before we left. I took her to the ped. the day before and she just recommended motrin before the flight.

 

[misha]

Both DD and myself have ear issues (lovely the things we pass on to our children!) The earplanes are great! The don't allow the pressure in the middle ear to change as the pressure in the cabin changes - which is what actually causes the pain. I've never heard of them making someone ill, could it have been motion sickness? (also a problem we both have) The decongestant is a good idea also. But as with any new medicaiton you give your child, don't wait until the flight to try it out. While no parent wants to give their child medication they don't need it's a better alternative than finding out at 20,000 feet that it makes them ill or itchy or hyper or whatever!

Happy flying and have a great vacation!

Michelle

 

[Callalily6]

I am so worried about my daughter having an earache when we get off the airplane.

So far, I have bought a bag of tootsie rolls, got her a special cup with a retractable straw that she can suck her water out of. But I am still worried. I looked at Earplanes, but I think she will be picking at them so much they will do no good. She is 3.5. Does anyone have any ideas or words of comfort??

I get problems with my ears a lot b/c of sinus problems...Short version: Make sure your child does not have congestion. If she does, see her doc about a decongestant about a week or 2 before to clear her head.

And my #1 trick for little kids - BRING TONS OF LOLLY POPS! Swallowing a lot that comes with sucking on candy will keep clearing her ears. ASSUME that her ears will hurt during take off and landing and get the pops out. They last longer than drinks and she wont have to use the potty.

 

[Sheaboys]

Our middle son had a horrible time when we flew from Mass to California. The airline attendant told us to use a decongestant. We bought Children's Sudafed for the ride home. We gave him one tablet (he was 3.t at the time) about 1/2 prior to boarding. He was perfectly fine the entire trip back. Also had more lollipops. He knew how to swallow and drink and chew gum, but once he got to the pain point of no return, he was just plain stubborn and just cried. We did it again when we flew in April 2005 he was almost 5. No problems again.