Flying with Infants.

you can do a few things.....have him suck on a lollipop (sugar free) schedule the flight around his nap time....or go to CVS and look in there ear section for EAR PLANE ear plugs made especially for children and adults for flying (i used these for my then 9 month old and my 2 yr old) they worked well the only problem is keeping the 9 months old from pulling them out once we were in the air i took them out and put back in for landing. IMO these worked great

Take some fruit loops or cheerios, and let him chew while landing and taking off. If you call a travel agent they should also have some helpful hints also. Try and plan your trip after his nap, and not disrupting his schedule to much.
I was just on a flight from FL, where the dad was traveling w/ a 2yr.& 1yr.old. His hands were full. The little cried for about the first hour of the trip, and then finally they both fell asleep. He had a hard time getting off the plance carrying 2 small sleeping children. We offered to help - but he said no thanks. Have a great trip.

It has been a while since I have been on a flight, so I am not sure of the current regulations. When my kids were that age I would bring lollipops with us. They wouldn't want to use a pacifier because they were too old for that. But having the sucker helped for their ears to pop a little to adjust.

Hi L.. Let me say that I flew 18 legs on airplanes with my first baby, a girl, who wasn't the easiest baby in the world. It is possible, but you will need to be super prepared. I am not sure if he is still taking a bottle, but if so, be sure to have 4 of them packed for the take off (start when the plane is in motion down the runway) and for the descent (1/2 hour before it lands.) Other than that - if he uses a binky, great! If not, get some of his favorite candy to nibble or chew on - the little bit of sugar won't hurt him and it will seem very special to him if he is new to air travel. Otherwise, just be willing to get up and walk with him in your arms alot. I took my sling and used to basically hang out with the attendants in the back and let her feel the carpet in the walls and look at the different things. As long as you are calm, your baby will be too. Just be willing to do what it takes to calm him. A new book is great - if you can take a portable dvd player with a movie - COOL! Don't feel like you're giving in by letting her do things that aren't normal in everyday life, because when you're on a plane - it isn't everyday - it is an adventure! Keep a bag filled with different types of crackers as well - some honey grams, some cheerios, some pretzels, some of those puff snacks that Gerber does. Different things are always fun and then let him decide what he gets next - a little bit of "power" goes a long way...

I pray that it all goes well for you. Don't feel bad about asking for help either. My daughter and I used to get two glasses of water (or ice) and "cheers" each other for an hour! You will be great - don't worry. This is from a lady that only had my baby lose it once in 17 or so legs! Time of day is important too - fly in the morning, if you can. Later in the day they are so much more tired. And don't do a red-eye. It is too new of an experience to expect a baby to sleep and others will be wanting to...

Hi L.,

I wouldnt worry too much about ears popping, I just flew to Florida with my 20mo. old and it didnt bother her ears at all. I would consider buying an extra seat, we did and it worked perfectly. I also saw a woman with a 17mo old and she had a heck of a time chasing him around the plane. You cant expect a child of that age to sit still for that long. My daugter had no problem with her ears whatsoever.

Good Luck

L.

Ms. Seasoned flyer with kids, here!!!!

If you give them something to chew on during the ascent, the chewing motion helps with the popping. Even the swallowing motion is supposed to help. What works for you? I mean the phenomenon is the same for adults as for kids, so if chewing gum, e.g., works with you, the chewing effect will work for the baby.
I also tried a little garlic clove wrapped in gauze and put it in my ear. It helps minimize the overall discomfort. There are also ear plugs at the pharmacy.

My kids are grown and there just doesn't seem, for me, to be a way to totally avoid the discomfort of landing, on the ears.
Bon voyage!

I agree, I have a son with very sensitive ears - he freaks out at loud noises and pressure, I used plane ears from Meijer and they worked great - he actually slept on the descent both ways with them!! Good luck!

My daughter was 9 weeks old (yes, 9 WEEKS) the first time I flew with her. If you are prepared, things can go well. However, keep in mind... you can't control everything. Somethings will just happen and all you can do is deal with the situation at that time.

But... to prepare yourself, as suggested, the best thing to do is to have him suck on something. Drinking from a sippy cup, sucking on a lolli, or if he still uses a pacifier will greatly help. Also, you can pull up and out on his ears. It helps to relieve pressure in their inner ear. This is what I did with my daughter (as suggested by my chiropractor) and she did absolutely FABULOUS! Seriously... not one peep.

To combat boredom ... interesting toys, as suggested maybe new ones from the dollar store. I would avoid any medications to induce sleeping. That just sets the stage for nasties down the road.

Be calm .... don't give off vibes of anxiety or fear... he will pick up on that. Be excited about the flight. Be prepared (snacks are good too to keep them occupied. Besides..plane food sucks!)

Good luck!

We went to Disney when my son was about 2 1/2. I gave him a sucker and drinks during take-off (he was asleep when he landed). He was totally fine. No problems at all.

My kids got their first suckers on the plane. One dum dum for take off (wait until you are actually off the ground) and one for landing). For a long time that was the only time they got suckers. Or a water bottle or something to "suck" like a sippy cup is also good. Also, lots of distraction. Books, snacks, little toys. I usually pick up one or two new things each trip. That way it's a surprise and the interest lasts longer.
Best of luck to you.
S.

I also took my son (now 12) on a flight when he was 2, I was way more nervous than I should have been! I took lots of activities for him- too many but it does help to keep them occupied. I also took a sippy cup so he could drink while we took-off and landed (now it would have to be empty, and you could fill it after security) I also brought snacks, it is the swallowing that helps your ears. My sister recently took her 2 1/2 year old to Washington St. She took a red-eye so her daughter slept the whole time- if that is a better option.

I flew to France with my 17 month old son last September and was terrified but it went fabulously. We were actually commended by several people sitting around us who didn't even realize we had a baby until we stood to deboard the plane. Give the baby Tylenol about 30 minutes before take off to help with ears. Also, a pacifier or drinking helps pop ears too. Our son seemed unphased. Some people try Benadryl to make them sleepy. Bring lots of favorite books, and snacks, play the favorite games and sing songs over and over and over again, and you should be OK.

Flying with small children isnt bad, as long as you are prepared. The first time I flew with my daughter she was 10 months old (she had ear problems from birth), she had no problems with the pressure change, no problems with her ears at all. Just offer your son a bottle (sippy cup), or pacifier on take off and landing, if he wont take either of those, give him a piece of bubble gum, if he hasnt had any before it will be a new experience for him which will not only help with the ears, but it will keep him entertained for quite a while.

Good luck on your trip.

Hi! My son is 6 & has been traveling since he was 2 or 3 w/ NO problems. Talk w/ your son's pediatrictian since you are concerned about his ears... It's best to get them acclamated to traveling while they're young. Isn't it best to do everything while they're young?!

Hi L.,
Have him suck a sucker or give a sippy cup to drink out of while you're taking off. Also, go to the dollar store and get a bunch of new toys for him to explore during the flight. My 2 year old loves matchbox cars so we got him a lot of those. The flight went so much easier than I was expecting. Make sure he doesn't see the toys before hand so that they are new to him.
Good luck and have fun.
Chris

I few with my daughter who was 2 weeks shy of her second birthday this fall. She did alright, I think you just need to take into account your child's best time of the day and what they need to be comfortable. I gave her a little tylenol about a half hour before we took off and offered her chewy foods (fruit snacks, granola bars and crackers and juice) to snack on (since she's too young for gum) and she did just fine. Best of Luck!

Drugging your child with Benadryl is probably not the best idea. I don't think it says anywhere on the package that it's okay to use as a sedative or ear-pressure reliever during air travel. Same goes for Tylenol.

Distraction is key; toys, books. Bring something to suck on, suckers, candy, bottle, sippy, whatever. Practice with your son how to blow his nose. When you are on the plane and feel your own ears popping during ascent/descent or cabin pressure changes, pinch your son's nostrils closed and tell him to blow until hear hears a pop in his ears or just have him do it a couple times. My kids both know how to do it on their own now (4 y.o. and 2 y.o.) and they think it's fun, too.

Flying with a toddler is hit or miss, but don't delay your trip! If he has a bad time, you just comfort him and forget about the rude people who may give you looks, they have no kids and don't understand. We have traveled with both of our boys since birth and some trips are great, others you look at your watch every 5 minutes. If you are still nursing that is your best bet, if not, pacifier would be next, if he doesn't use one go with a bottle or sippy cup. Pretty much anything that is going to help him suck is going to help his ears. I also always bring a new toy to give him right at take off, the distraction is really helpful if his ears are bugging him. Another thing we try to do is plan our flights around naptime so they can pass out and hopefully sleep through some of the flight. Either way, good or bad flight, it is only a small portion of your vacation. One last thing, I believe that children pick up on their parents stress, so before you enter the airport, take a deep breath and relax, more than likely your son will follow your lead.

Have fun!

S. C

We frequently travel with our kids and they do great! They have flown as early as 6 weeks and we have never really had issues. We always pack lots of snacks and they each pack a bag with books, toys, etc. to stay busy. Honestly, they sleep most of the flight. Try fruit snacks, raisins, gummy worms, suckers - anything that will keep them chewing. Also take crackers, dry cereal, string cheese, kiddie trail mix - anything they like. If your son still takes a bottle or a pacifier, take a few with you and use those at take off and landing and you should be fine. If not, make sure you have a sippy cup or sport bottle with a no spill valve (for your own sanity...).

We always take strollers, too. We just strap everybody in and go! You can use the stroller to hold your carry-ons and keep everybody together and safe. Have the airline gate check it for you and it will be waiting as soon as you step off the plane.

Good luck and have a great trip - I'm sure you'll be just fine!

I recently did two trips with my daughter who is 28 months old. One was a flight from Michigan to California and the other was from Michigan to Florida. She did well on both trips. She never complained about her ears popping but if you are concerned, I would just bring him plenty of snacks and juice to drink so that he is swallowing and his ears will pop on their own. I was able to bring two juice boxes with me and Security did not stop me. You can bring as much food as you like, it just has to be wrapped in saran wrap or a ziplock bag . Check out the tsa.gov website for more information on what you can and cannot bring thru security with children. I also brought her a small dvd player that kept her busy thru most of the flight and she loved being able to watch her video. We also took her car seat with us, we did not want to rent one and I think that made a big difference too. You take it right on the plane with you and strap it to the seat and then they are sitting in their own seat and their own comfort zone. Hope this helps!

We brought a bottle with our daughter on the plane and had her suck on that during take off and descent. Also, recently I was on the website called onestepahead.com and saw a product for little ones who are flying. They are ear plugs that are specifically used for airplanes. Looked inexpensive if I remember and you get two pair per order.

I took my grandbaby home after she was visiting. I put her head on my chest, which covers one ear and the other ear I covered with my hand (ascending and descending is not that long of a time)this helps the strange sounding humming that seems to happen within the ear. Then shortly after I had her drink something, this helps the ears get back the way they are supposed to. If he doesn't want it right then , he will soon. I promise.Or have him chew a gummy bear or soemthing to help the popping. and it will distract him for a few minutes anyway.

I flew by myself with my daugther when she 2, bring a sippy cup so your son can sip on some water during take off and landing. My daughter get's motion sickness so I also gave her some benedryl. She was fine and we even had connecting flights both ways. I also wrapped up a new book to keep her amused. You will probably find the take off and landing exciting it is the in between time you will want to have lots to entertain him with.