Advice please re: ears, cabin pressure & toddlers

[GinaG3]

Hi Ladies, we're off to spain for a week next weekend and daughter (2.9 years..) has never flown before, the flyings fine she seems mega excited (although telling me she doesnt want to get on a plane unless its a helicopter..) but im just really concerned about having her screaming in pain if her ears pop during take off. So looking for some advice of how to help my daughter if she feels the effects of cabin presure in her ears, is there something I can do to avoid or reduce the discomfort on take off and landing?! So wish I was still breastfeeding right now, seems the simple solution! Grrr. I used to find it really uncomfortable as a child, but flew a lot so got used to it over the ears. Im reluctant to give her things like lolipops so wondering if any of you mummies have any useful ideas for me?

Thanks in advance..

[BeccaL]

Damn, was going to suggest lollipops! Am not keen on sweets generally but they worked a treat for our little one when flying. Hope you find a solution...

[hazelnunhead]

Show her how to make an exaggerated chewing motion. Get her to copy you and make a game of it. HOwever, if not breastfeeding / dummy or bottle - then I would get a lollipop or some chewy sweets - the pain they feel / screaming etc is not worth (in my humble opinion) not giving sweets.

YOu can get "healthier lollies" - some of the health shops have manuka honey ones / etc etc

[snowboarder]

Or a drink? Carton of juice with a straw?

[GinaG3]

Hmm I'm concerned about lollipops falling off the stick and her choking, this happened to me when I was young.. Also sugar on a 6am flight :-( I'm doomed! It's just the constant swallowing that needs to be happening to help isn't it? Or am I wrong in thinking this?

[Fidgetsmum]

Show her how to hold her nose and blow with a closed mouth until her ears pop - we made it a fun joke of all doing it with our 'pob' cheeks. She was absolutely fine. We just told her not to be scared if her ears felt really funny. All the excitement of being on a plane usually takes their minds off it. Good luck and just relax - it'll be fine.

[Pickle]

She should be fine - we fly a lot and my kids have never had problems with their ears. Have a drink on hand for her, little sips of water can help your ears to clear, or gently blowing her nose.

Have fun!

[bluesuperted]

I worried about this too but I read lots of information (one was a great site written by an air hostess about travelling with kids) that said what Pickle says - that actually it's very rare to have ear problems unless there's an ear infection. Might be worth taking her to the doctors a few days before to make double sure?

I'm still breastfeeding but when we travelled with our then 11.5 month old in the summer he was too interested to feed much at take off and landing and was absolutely fine.

Good luck and have a lovely holiday :)

[bluesuperted]

Here's the blog post I mentioned: worth looking at the 'ears and altitude' section. The post is EPIC but does seem full to the brim with useful information and tips garnered from many years of experience.

http://flyingwithchildren.blogspot.com/

[jollybaby]

Apparently cabin pressure systems are a lot better than they used to be so the pressure changes are less pronounced. As pickle said I'd just give her a drink and the swallowing will be probably be enough to equalize the pressure.

Reminds me of one of my favourite books when I was younger - topsy and tim go on a plane. I think they were given sweets by the air hostess but maybe you could find a copy of this to help explain!

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Topsy-Tim-Aeroplane-Jean-Adamson/dp/1409300579/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1318670014&sr=8-4

Just looked - it's still in print. Going to order a copy for miss jb now!

[vicki08]

you can buy ear plugs for children from most chemists my daughter used to use them all the time when flying

[BB100]

My son always has problems with his ears when flying and he had problems this year as well. We use these lovely soft ear plugs:

http://www.snorestore.co.uk/acatalog/childrens_putty_earplugs.html

I wouldn't recommend holding the nose and blow as the pressure created can be very painful if you suffer when flying. The plugs are also great for swimming as well. They saved my holiday one year when my son got an ear infection and was told not to go swimming for two weeks, but he could with the plugs.