Traveling With a Toddler? Here’s How to Avoid Ear Pain When Flying!

Have you ever been in a flight cabin where the atmosphere was nice and relaxed but as soon as the flight took off, a young child started to scream?
During that time of the flight, you can be fairly sure that the kid is not just acting out but rather they are experiencing severe pain in their ears. Many kids have a tendency of getting ear pain when the pressure drops in the flight cabin at take-off. Some adults feel discomfort as well and will have to equalize their ears but because the ear canals of toddlers and small children are so narrow and they cannot equalize, the sudden change in pressure can leave them with excruciating pain in their inner ears.

Ear pain while flying is a common issue, but there are ways to keep it from ruining your trip.

There are different reasons why the pain can occur, but the good news is that there are also a few things you can do to help avoid or alleviate it.

One reason for ear pain during takeoff and landing is the change in cabin pressure. This can cause fluid in your inner ear to become trapped, leading to a feeling of fullness or pain. To help prevent this, make sure to yawn or swallow frequently during these times. Another reason for ear pain while flying is dehydration. The dry air inside the airplane cabin can cause the mucous membranes in your nose and throat to become dried out, leading to congestion and inflammation. To combat this, drink plenty of fluids and use a saline spray before takeoff. By understanding the causes of ear pain while flying and taking steps to prevent it, you can make your next trip a little more enjoyable.

Anyone who has flown with young children knows that the pain they can experience in their ears during takeoff and landing can be excruciating. The good news is that there are a few things you can do to help your child avoid or alleviate this pain. Movement of the tissue close to the Eustachian tubes of the inner ear can help release the pressure so swallowing and yawning can sometimes help to equalize the pressure.

But how can you help your child avoid ear pain when flying? Read on for our top tips!

The best ways to avoid ear pain when flying

• Use a dummy or pacifier during takeoff and landing. Sucking on something can help relieve the pressure in your child’s ears.
• Give your child something to drink during take-off and landing. Drinking and sinking movements helps equalize the pressure in your child’s ears.
• For smaller children, combining the drinking and sucking works wonders – so if you are breastfeeding, make sure to do it at takeoff and landing. And yes, breastfeeding with both you and your child strapped into your seat can be a bit tricky but it is doable. You can also give a bottle instead.
• If your child is old enough, have them chew gum or suck on hard candy during takeoff and landing. Just like with drinking, chewing or sucking helps equalize the pressure in your ears.
• As soon as you child is big enough to understand the instruction, teach them how to equalize their inner ear: let them hold their nose at the same time as they pretend to blow air out their mouth while keeping it shut. If it doesn’t release the pressure immediately, try again while also moving the jaw from side to side or pulling the earlobes slightly.
• Try an over-the-counter medication like Children’s Tylenol before takeoff and landing if the pain becomes a recurrent issue. This could help relieve pain or discomfort your child is feeling.
• If your child is really struggling with ear pain, talk to the flight attendant about getting a cup of hot water. Once it’s cooled down enough to drink, have your child sip it slowly during takeoff and landing. The warmth can help ease the pain.
• Be extra careful about taking measures to prevent ear pain if your child is congested when you fly. This can often make matters worse and make equalizing the pressure of the inner ear extra difficult.

Other reads

If you are flying with kids, you should check out our posts on how to handle jet lag, how to kill time at the airport with kids, how to get kids to sleep on a plane and how to keep kids entertained on a plane.

Final words

Your trip does not have to involve painful ears and an uncomfortable child. By following these tips, you can help your little one avoid ear pain when flying and help make the experience of flying more bearable for everyone involved.