How can you prevent your ears from popping on an airplane?

What can I give my 22 month old to help prevent her ears from popping?

• Hello. In July, we are going on a trip and it's my daughter and I first time flying. I'm concerned about her ears popping during take off and landing. What are some suggestions I can do to help prevent this? Also, would gum for me really work? Oh, and she is off the bottle, and still do a pacifier from time to time (We are working on this.) Thanks in advance! Please feel free to give me any other advice you know. :)

• Answer:

  Not all children have a problem with the pressure changes in their ears. If yours does however you'll want to know how to help. For take-offs and landings (the WHOLE way up, and starting from the BEGINNING, or TOP of descent - about an hour before landing), the best ways to alleviate ear pressure are to: *Give her something to drink (milk, water, juice - it doesn't matter) *Give her a pacifier to suck on *Tell her to yawn *Give her gum to chew *Give her hard candy or mints to suck on *Pinch her nostrils shut, have her take a deep breath in through the mouth, then tell her to (gently) blow as if trying to blow her nose *Place hot damp towels (usually like the ones distributed to first and business class before take-off and landing to freshen up with - just ask a flight attendant for them) or paper towels that have been soaked in hot water and wrung out, at the bottom of two paper or styrofoam cups, then hold the cups over the ears *Gently but with some pressure, rub her neck repeatedly from the chin to the base of the neck. This will cause a swallowing motion that will relieve pressure build-up in the ears. I've been flying internationally & domestically with my children since they were each 2 months (now 8&6,&5 months). At least three trips a year are the children & I traveling internationally (14+ hours each way) alone. We do another 8-10 international and domestic flights a year as a family. I have never had any problems with my children. Here are a few other tips and suggestions: 1.) Pack plenty of things to entertain your child: a few books, toys, a portable DVD player (be sure to bring extra batteries) or let her use your laptop (make sure it's fully charged) with a few movies, & one or two comfort things such as a favorite blankie or stuffed animal. I always bring a small pillow & blanket from home for my children (even now) because I know 100% that they are clean, and my children are accustomed to them. My children bring along their own coloring books, a Doodle Pad, their Leap Pads (with a few booklets), scrap paper that they can make their own drawings with & play games such as tic-tac-toe. My daughter used to like to bring along a doodle bear when she was younger so that she could draw on that as well, & my son likes to bring along some action figures to play with. I found that buying a Rose Art kit is great! It has crayons, markers, coloring books, coloring sheets, & stickers that they can color. It definitely keeps them entertained! http://www.megabrands.com/en/products/description.php?product_id=1031&brand_id=36&cat=4&age= I take the contents of the kit out of the box & place them in something a little travel pack. Here is what my sons looks like: http://www.flickr.com/photos/jamie_hassen/2577667314/ - outside http://www.flickr.com/photos/jamie_hassen/2577681352/ - inside You can also play games like pat-a-cake, or I-spy, & tell stories to your child as well. If you tell a story, try to make it an interactive one where she has a part in it so she stays interested. You might also consider going to the store & letting your child (I let my children start this at the age of one) pick out her own carry on bag & a few inexpensive toys that will be used only once you are on the plane. Be sure to pick out a few toys without her seeing so that she has an extra surprise when she opens her carry on. 2.) Bring Snacks! just add water packets of food, cheerios, goldfish, animal crackers, dried fruit, etc. are great. New regulations also allow you to take beverages (including water) from home as long as they are less than 3oz (100ml), -OR- beverages (including water) of any size that you have purchased from inside the security area onto planes. You can also bring a limited amount of baby food, yogurt, cheese, puddings, etc. with you also as long as they are in containers less than 3oz (100ml) http://www.tsa.gov/travelers/airtravel/prohibited/permitted-prohibited-items.shtm#10 As long as your child is with you, you are able to take as much milk, juice, and/or baby food that you will need for you child for the duration of the time you will spend in the airport and on the flight (as long as it is within reason).And no, you will NOT have to taste any of it. All that you must do is: 1. Separate the milk from the liquids, gels, and aerosols in your quart-size (1 liter) zip-top bag. 2. Declare you have the items to one of the Security Officers at the security checkpoint. 3. Present these items for additional inspection once reaching the X-ray. These items are subject to additional screening http://www.tsa.gov/travelers/airtravel/children/formula.shtm Save your money when it comes to buying water though because the Flight Attendants will provide you with hot or cold water (or any other drink) free at any time that you request, no matter how many times you request it. 3.) Keep your diaper bag well stocked with plenty of wipes, ointments & other essential things. Just remember the new law regulating liquids, gels, &pack accordingly. http://www.tsa.gov/311/index.shtm You can usually find travel size baby products in stores & they are wonderful for plane use. One thing I always like to carry with me is hand sanitizer! I always wipe the trays down with that (followed by a baby wipe) & use it for my kids after taking them to the bathroom (even though they wash their hands). I know that airplane bathrooms are not the cleanest, so that is why I try to be vigilant. Be sure to pack 2-3 changes of clothes for your child. You will need this in case She gets sick, spills something on herself, or in case your luggage gets lost. Bring any medications that you might need for your child should she get sick or that she takes regularly. Remember that if they are not prescription medications, the 3oz (100ml) rule applies to them and they must be kept in a clear plastic bag. http://www.tsa.gov/311/index.shtm Try to have your daughter use the restroom as close to boarding as possible. This will help to make your child feel fresh & more comfortable for take-off (which could also mean less problems). 4.) The airlines suggest that children under 40lbs use a child safety device - a CRS (Child Restraint System) - because it is safe for the child (especially during turbulence), makes them feel secure, is more comfortable for both parent and child, will help your child sleep, and gives both of you the opportunity to relax a bit. A CRS is a hard-backed child or infant or child safety seat that is approved by the government for use in both motor vehicles and aircraft. In order to be certified for use on an airplane, the car seat has to met the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards. Check the labels on the side of your car restraint for a sticker (words will be printed in red) for verification that your seat is safe for airplane use. Almost all car seats pass this requirement. There is also a new device that is approved by the FAA for airline use ONLY. It is called CARES (Child Aviation Restraint System) and costs $75. It weighs 1 pound, is certified for all phases of flight (taxiing, take off, turbulence & landing), adjusts to fit ALL size airplane seats, & is approved for kids 22–44 lbs. http://www.kidsflysafe.com/ There are many products out there designed to help the traveling family. Here's a product that can attach to most car seats so that you can use it as a stroller & get it through the airport more easily. http://www.gogobabyz.com/products/gogo_kids.html 5.) Before you travel, I suggest preparing your child for what to expect so that she is not caught off guard & scared on the day of travel. You want to make sure that you tell her what is going to happen from the time you get to the airport until the time you arrive at your destination. You don't need to go into any great detail here, but give her something that she will be able to reference when actually traveling. If you are able to, I suggest doing a dry run of the airport. This provides you with an opportunity to explain to her what is going to happen while she can see first hand what it looks like. Here are links that talk about what to expect when flying (also includes information about what to do at the airport) that may help you out a bit: http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index;_ylt=AlxCY2D7gKazfods9sO.hnbty6IX;_ylv=3?qid=20080524223044AA3cjUR&show=7#profile-info-ssBL3Kakaa http://jamiehassen79.angelfire.com/plane_travel_basics.html I wrote a small article about flying with children that goes more in-depth, gives security rules & regulations for the US, EU, UK, & Australia, offers tips & tricks for the travel, etc. http://www.angelfire.com/jamiehassen79/flying_children.html If I can be of any more help or assistance, please feel free to contact me.