Flying with 4 Year Old for the 1St Time

I understand the situation about not wanting to give your child medicine, but aching ears is not a good thing. We traveled with my 18 month old grand and they suggested tylenol for children and it worked like a charm.

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We have been flying with our children since they were 2 years of age so I have tried many things......the one thing that works all the time is lolly pops. Give her one that she likes to suck on while taking off and again landing and she will do just fine. It will be a treat for her as well as saving her from any pain with her ears. Hope this helps! Good luck.

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We have two girls (4 and almost 6). They do very well at flying when you are well prepared. I like what a Maggie, a previous poster, noted. I read all the info. I could about preparing to fly before our first trip with our girls when they were 1 and 2. I had read to bring an extra shirt....so I did. But my daughter ended up puking on my pants and in my purse. That was really fun too :)

Also, take some suckers. It helps keep them quiet and helps their ears at the same time.

The flight will probably go faster than what you think it will. Have a blast!

I love to travel and my son and I do so atleast three times a year. He is only three but behaves wonderfully on planes. I make sure to pack:

Baggies with his favorite snacks (goldfish, cheerios)
Coloring book and crayons
Toys
Portable DVD with headphones and a few of his favorite movies
Once I am in the airport I buy a milk, water or juice

Attention span on a plane is a lot different than at home or anywhere else for that matter, even for me as an adult.

While the plan is taking off I make it fun, we make plane noises and we clap when we are off the ground. I also have him chew on fruit chews so he doesnt concentrate on the ears popping. I also prepare Kenneth before a trip by talking about what planes do and the noises and how we are going to be in the air above everyone else.

But the most important thing to remember is not to care if she cries. She is a child and everyone on the plane can handle it. Keep her busy! Hope this helps :-)

Sorry...didn't read all of your posts so I may be being redundant. Good instincts about the meds. I would never recommend giving your child medication unless it warrants it. Anything that makes her jaw move (a drink-purchase AFTER security), a lollipop or some chewy candy, preferably gum will help with pressure. Make sure she didn't put a juice box in her back pack, as it will be confiscated.

It's great that she is packing her own airplane backpack. A deck of playing cards is good. My kids love to do this - I would sometimes sneak a surprise toy, new beanie baby or coloring book in there, just for fun. Having her own dvd or music is good, however, I would not have any toy with a repetitive sound. It's annoying to listen to. Also, if she DOES bring in her own music, sometimes people have a tendency to repetitively kick the seat in front of them to the beat of the music, so just be aware that this could be happening- just had this happen with a grown man, behind me, on a flight back from California. Arrrrrggghhhh!

Make sure you tell the flight attendant that it is her first flight as they may have little flying pins and possibly coloring books for her, depending on the airline.

Don't know if you would be flying Southwest Airlines at all, just a thought if you are: Remember to check-in on-line, EXACTLY 24 hours in advance - on the minute, on your home computer. They will prompt you for the person's name and ticket number. This way, you will get a better boarding position.

Also, since she is young, I implemented the game with my kids at that age and the rule applies now. It's called the "No talking game". Since my kids had/have flown pre and post 9/11, it became important for them NOT to ask any questions, through x-ray and security that could be potentially misconstrued. ... So, once we get to security and x-ray, we'd "locked our mouths" and could only hand gesture or nod. As soon as the "shoes were back on the feet" the kids started talking. I feared that a simple question could get us delayed - I've seen a lot.

It's funny. From my daughter's first flight, when she was three, we have held hands, just before take-off (she usually is across the aisle from me now). It's tradition. We gently squeeze hands until the plane is comfortably in the air. I used to do it to make sure that she was not scared. Now... it's just a nice tradition.

Here's to making traditions of your own!

Have fun.

she will be fine, that's a good age to fly because they are interested in airplanes and can be occupied with things to do, a dvd player always comes in handy with longer flights.

And say "no to the drugs", it's not that bad. lol

Is she still on a bottle? The gum chewing isn't necessary as long as she knows how to swallow hard, many times or she will have pain. It hurts adults so it certainly will bother a child. Sucking on a bottle or sippy cup that she has to suck hard on because all but one hole is blocked tight.

J., I agree, medicating your child is not necessary. For her ears, put a little cotton in each ear and have her drink something when the plane is ascending and descending.
Also, pack plenty of snacks!!
Enjoy.

K. S.

Both of my kids have flown several times, didn't chew gum and never had problems with their ears. I did have something for them to drink to help with the pressure but no real issues. All kids are different so I would have a back up plan ready. Some of the previous responses have good suggestions. I took my laptop and we watched movies and that kept them busy the entire flight. Good luck.

My four year old has been flying since she was 6 months old and we've never needed any medication and we've always had a good experience. At this age, just bring some fun things to do -- sticker books, colored pencils or crayons, etc. A few plane appropriate toys that she's in to. Make some of them brand new so it's extra exciting. New books are great to read. Some people like to bring their laptops or a portable DVD player and let kids watch a movie. That really works though we've never needed it -- there's a lot of people watching and it's novel enough that the whole deal is fairly entertaining. Depends how long your flight is, though. Snacks are a must -- little bags of fruity snacks aren't too bad for them and feel like a treat. Pretzels etc. As far as ear popping, I bring small lollipops that my daughter gets on take-off and landing and at this age, I also just say, "yawn and pop your ears" and she does it. It's more work to fly with a child, but it can be a great experience. Have fun!

Have fun!! It sounds like you have done everything I did for my sons 1st flight!!

As far as the ears, (He wasn't a gum chewer and I don't give meds with out need as well) I brought an empty cup that had a lid with a straw, once you are through security you can fill her cup with water or beverage of choice. Once on the plane I instructed my son to suck on the straw during take off... it worked like a champ! One warning, take her to the potty every chance you get!

Good luck

Our 4 year old is a "seasoned flyer" who has been on a plane every year of her life since she was born. We have family in Florida and visit them once a year. We have given her Benadryl from the beginning - the main purpose of this is not to calm the kids down, but it helps to clear the ears. Also, make sure you bring a sippy cup or straw-cup for her to drink from when taking off and landing (and in-between when you can feel your own ears feel clogged). The sipping or sucking and swallowing helps to "pop" the ears just as chewing gum. Our daughter does not chew gum and these methods have always worked for us from the first time we flew! Make sure you explain to her what will happen - from the time you enter the airport through the time you leave the airport at your destination. Then when you are there, explain things as they are happening too - it helps make it a learning experience and reduces any fears they may have (especially the noises in the airplane and the clogged feeling in her ears). Our daughter LOVES to fly and we still find new things and questions to talk about!

J.,
This is an ideal time to fly for the little one. My 4 year old loves flying so much,every time he sees an airplane, he tells me. We found a nice $10 airplane on the trip and he plays with it all the time.

Explain to her what will happen, how she needs to have her backpack put away for takeoff, she has to wear her seatbelt (I always told my kids they have to buckle up just like in the car), when you hear the different bells they are signals for the crew (to sit down, to get up, phone call...)the sounds the engine will make, etc.

There should be no need to give her Benadryl. Purchase her a bottle of water so she can drink something on takeoff and landing. Most importantly is have her swallow for the descent, that is when most plugging of the ears is felt. Descent will start sbout 25-30 min. before landing. Try the gum, or something a bit chewy like a Tootsie Roll, or even pieces of fruit snacks. Suckers are good too, something that will promote swallowing is all, it does not have to be gum if you are not ready for that.

I also suggest taking her potty before getting on the plane, and before descent as well. Nothing worse than being stuck waiting for takeoff with a child that needs to go and you cannot leave your seat!

I agree with a surprise for her backpack. I took small cans of PlayDoh and little cookie cutters for my girls, Colorforms stick to the plane windows, etc....

Have a nice trip!

I have recently (this month) taken my 3.5 year old twins to Jamaica and just this past weekend to Georgia.

You may want to buy something that she hasn't seen before and pack it in the backpack (but don't wrap it cause security may make you unwrap it). If you have the space, bring a dvd player or coloring book.

For the ears, I buy bottles of water, after getting thru security. Then you don't have to wait for the flight attendants to come buy with drinks and just let her drink it during takeoff and landing. You can also bring suckers, gummy candies or anything else to suck on.

As far as gum goes...my kids got it before they were 3. They don't get it very often...but they know what to do with it. She might surprise you with that.

Good luck and have fun on your trip!

My one year old was fine, without medicine, and obviously without gum, when we flew to South America. I think your four-year old will be just fine, too.

My doctor has told me that keeping your mouth open regulates the pressure in your eardrums.

I always pack a change of clothing for all of us. You never know if someone will get sick or spill. I carry lots of suckers and hard candies. Also buy a bottle of water after you get through security. I've found that landing is harder on the ears than on take-off. Usually my kids are sleeping when we're landing and the pressure change will wake them. Since your child is 4, it will help if you explain to her what happens. I've been flying with my kids since they were 6 months old. It was tougher when they didn't understand what was happening but now they know that it just hurts a little and then we arrive at our destination which is the beginning of fun or home. Coloring books and Find Waldo-type books also help to pass the time.

I took my oldest on a plane when she was four and did great. Just have her blow her nose to get ears to pop, and I recommend bring a couple of card games along, as well as coloring book. and of course, snacks!! Have fun!

Hi,
I have read some of the responses, but my nephew showed me a new side of how a 4 yr. old may look at an airplane. We had been soo excited about going to Utah to visit family and he was very excited too, but when we got to the airport and saw the planes he started screaming " I DON'T WANNA GO ON THE SPACE SHIP, I DON'T WANNA GO TO OUTER SPACE!!" LOL He did this over and over again on the way there and on the way back even though he knew we did not go to outer space the first time. Good Luck! Have fun!

Bring a juice box for the ascent and descent to help with her ears. My oldest had fierce pain when we flew due to the changes in pressure, and drinking while taking off and landing definitely eased the pain tremendously. If you think you'll run out of things to do, bring an iPod, if you've got one, with short movies on it. My husband downloaded a bunch of episodes of Caillou onto his iPhone, and I have some on my iPod, and my daughter will watch those if we're ever in a pinch for entertainment. They're relatively short, so she wouldn't just be watching movies the entire time :)
Have a fun trip!

I've flown with our girls many times. Honestly, I wouldn't do the Benadryl at her age. If she gets drowsy but can't get comfortable enough to fall asleep, she'll be much harder to deal with!
And don't worry about the ears. Drinking and a sucker, especially during decent, will do the trick. If you want added security-try this product called "ear planes." They have them in kid and adult sizes. Our doc told us about them when we went on vacation last month and my daugher was 5 days into an ear infection. She had absolutely no problems. They are like little ear plugs you kind of screw into the ear and they are supposed to help open things up. You can get them at Walgreens, CVS, etc. I would suggest calling the store ahead of time to make sure they have them in stock. I had to call several drug stores before I finally found them (sold out everywhere) at a CVS and they only had one pair left. One pair is good for a round trip flight. After that they suggest throwing them away b/c dust will decrease their effectiveness.
Another thing that always worked for my older one is a DVD player. If you don't have one, maybe you can borrow from a friend. Pop in her favorite movie or show and you're set.
Have a great vacation and don't worry about the flight! She'll be fine! Bon Voyage

They sell ear things in the airport, I do not think they help a ton, but my kids say they do.

Buy her somthing drink after you get past security, swallowing helps clear ears as well.

Chewy candy helps too. Maybe give the gum a try. That could be a special "airplane only" treat.

We have also had to give my youngest son a decongestant. If they have even the slightest congestion
boy will it hurt them. On the other side.. If they have tubes that were put in thier ears (by the ENT from other problems)
they get NO pain..(my other son had that and we were shocked he did not feel a thing!)

Hope this helps! Good luck!

We flew with our kids (2 and 3) last winter and they couldn't chew gum either. We got them something to drink after passing security and we also brought fruit snacks for them to chew during take off and landing to help with the ear popping.

I will be purchasing the EarPlanes air plugs for one of my daughters before we fly again this summer. She has a horrible time with the air pressure, and chewing gum, swallowing does not help her.

I suggest a few things:
1. Take a change of clothes placed in a ziploc in the backpack. That way if something spills, which can easily happen, or if she gets sick, you will have backup.
2. Take a surprise toy/craft/book to make it special (or in case you run out - delays sometimes screw up the best laid plans!)
3. I wouldn't give her anything but have on hand motion sickness medicine and children's motrin/tylenol - whatever you use and bandaids.
4. Take your own supply of snacks and buy water in the terminal so you don't have to wait for cabin service
5. As for her ears, just have her sip her water, munch on a pretzil or suck a hard candy during takeoff and landing.
Have fun!!

-Don't give her Benadryl. If you have a portable dvd player take that along. It will help! For the ears- just have her drink or eat something during takeoff and landing and she will be fine. I would explain to her what is going to happen just before it happens so that she is not scared.
I normally purchase a few things and wrap them up, complete with ribbon. Give her a new present every hour or so of the flight. It could be a new coloring book, a new book. If you are going to take crayons get the triangular ones- they won't roll across the tray table. Let her have the window seat if possible.
Give yourself extra time at the airport. Go to: http://www.tsa.gov/travelers/airtravel/children/index.shtm
& have her watch a little movie on how to get thru security so that she will know what to expect.
Please let me know if you need any other tips or have questions. My daughter is also 4 and we have flown many times with her starting when she was 9 months old.

I wouldn't give Benadryl . One of my twins who has allergies didn't sleep a wink after he had some Benadryl (he needed it for allergies). My kids never sleep on planes. The most important thing to do is remain calm and pace yourself with snacks , toys(new or haven't seen for a while),books,stickers etc. My kids have wheeled carryons that look like a dog and frog(Walgreens) . They love to roll it and it keeps them busy in the airport and actually slows them down . It helps keep them distracted .I did give my daughter a piece(half) of gum . I took it away after take off/landing. Good luck and have fun :)

Don't worry about it! Her ears will be fine. Bring juice boxes. Why does she need to calm down? No reason to drug your kid. If you're calm, she will probably be too.
In my experience, the best toys are connecting-type ones. (like legos or connex) that they can work on, also crayons or a pen and paper. Dolls and barbies get old fast. But really, its only a few hours and you will be fine.

I've flown a lot with all 3 of my children. Since she doesn't chew gum, just make sure you make her drink and/or eat when you are ascending(Water, juice, goldfish, pretzles), something light. She will naturally have to swallow and this will keep her ears from hurting. Bring lots of books to read to her. I always let my kids pick out one special new toy for the airplane. Something simple and inexpensive, like a magnet book or something to color with etc. They would be so excited for their new toy that it was a good distraction. If you are calm, she will be too. Good Luck!

I realize you got tons of responses, this is likely overkill, but here I go sharing anyway :) Such great recommendations and I agree with them. I travel for work and take my son & his granny nanny with me all the time. He is 4 and has been on about 40 plane trips! Did you ever see that movie "About a Boy" with Hugh Grant. He divided his day up into time segments of half hour slots. He just had to fill his day with things that filled those time slots: haircut = 30 minutes = 1 slot, lunch = 2 slots, etc. I look at the plane trips exactly the same. If its 4 hours, I have to fill 4 hours, 2 hours is easier. A movie = 1 hour, a special food treat he doesn't normally get = 15 minutes, his favorite book (read 3 times, lol) = 15 minutes. So on and so forth. That way I know I'm covered, he gets bored, I move on to the next activity.

Also, you can bring food through security, but not drinks, just an FYI.

Have fun.

If she doesn't chew gum yet, does she eat the fruit chewy snacks? My son chews gum, but his buddy cannot, so he eats fruit snacks or the fruit leather. Suckers are also a great help, anything that has them chew and swallow a lot without realizing it. For entertainment: If you have a portable DVD player they are a terrific distraction or perhaps if you have an iPod or iTouch they can support a movie or some of their applications are great learning tools/entertainment. We have been on many plane vacations with our older son, who is 5- anticipated the worst but they surprise you. He has been a fantastic traveler! Even something as simple as crayons and a note pad (I have even made a puppet out of the barf bag before)have supplied us with an hours worth of fun. Have a great vacation!

have her drink something when the plane goes up and down. Or at least have her eating something chewy like fruit snacks anything that she is chewing for awhile and swallows. The swallowing will help clear the ears. She is four and should be able to comprehend about her ears filling up or hurting that you could talk to her about it. I hope you have a fun flight.

Definitely don't give her benadryl - FDA has banned it for under 6 yr olds. Not only is it unsafe but it also makes some children hyper rather than tired. A portable dvd is very useful and a traveling etch a sketch and crayons and a coloring book. I have taken my 2 yr old to ireland 6 times and it isn't as bad as you imagine, especially as they get older.
for ears, i would give her candy to suck on and also have her drink juice or something.

have fun

I flew with my son when he was 3 and I made it an adventure for him. If you are nervous so will your child be. Bring some cookies or a fave food. I made sure my son had a window seat so he could see above the clouds. We talked about the different type of clouds and how small everything looked below. It was a lot of fun. As long as you are not nervous your child wont be either. Forget the benedryl

Hello! I've flown with my children (now 8 and 10) from a very young age and it really isn't a big deal. You already have a backpack with toys and books ready, that's great. I would also pack a bunch of snacks and things she likes to drink, that way you can have something to munch on (raisins, crackers, etc) and a sippy cup ready for take off and landing. The other thing that helped my children is that we talked about all the things that happen . . . first we get to the airport and give our luggage to the person so it can go in the belly of the plane, then security, finding the gate, etc. The children usually saw it as a big game and became good little helpers. Have a great trip!!!
P.S. My younger child got really scared of bathrooms after we unsuspectingly flushed the airplane lavatory when he was three. I would suggest having your daughter exit the bathroom and then flush as it is really startling--especially at their hight.

I don't think benedryl would do anything for ears - that's more to help kids relax on a long (8 or more hours) flight. Bring some tylenol in your carry-on just in case, though, because that ear pressure from flying can be really painful sometimes.

I also try to bring one or two small new things. Magnadoodle and other things to draw with. Maybe one of those invisible ink books or the books that you can "draw" on with water. Finger puppets, books to read to her. Have a great trip!

So we just got back from a plane trip and security told me that they now allow sealed juice boxes for the kids. This was out of Midway to Jacksonville, FL and back again in March. A TRICK FOR THE EARS... Bring a small purse mirror and have her make funny faces making sure that she moves her jaw. This is the same motion that adults use. Or make funny faces at each other. My daughter loved it! Drinking works well too. Southwest gave me a straw for my daughter when I asked for one for drinks. Just make sure to ask if you want one. Just keep her occupied. Hope that you have a good trip.

I'd suggest to bring one or two new toys/activities in case there are delays or she gets bored with the ones she already has. Make them a surprise.

Skip the benadryl. She's old enough to be entertained and distracted. The portable DVD player is a godsend. Good idea on the backpack with toys, I'd also stash something new for her in my bag as a special treat. I always have something little that's new and fun for my son (who is 2) for both the trip there and the return trip.

Regarding her ears, she's old enough to suck a piece of hard candy if necessary, but really she just needs to drink something on the ascent and descent. You can massage her ears too during those parts of the flight. The main thing is that she swallows enough during the ascent and descent that her ears don't feel a buildup of pressure.

Great advice from the other mom about taking her to the bathroom every chance you get before the flight. Because once everyone is boarded, it's a good 25-40 minutes before you'll be able to get up to use the restroom.

Have a good trip!