ENFlying with a baby can be anxiety-provoking for parents. From in-flight discomfort to packing, a successful trip is all about preparation. Perhaps one of the biggest concerns for parents is how to protect a baby's ears during in-flight ear pain.
This is especially true when flying with kids on
long-haul or international flights. If you're wondering, " Can my child
travel internationally with grandparents?", you may also want to
consider providing them with ear protection during the flight.
Understanding how a flight will affect your baby’s ears and having effective tips for preventing and minimizing discomfort can make your trip a whole lot easier.
Why Do Babies Experience Ear Pain on Flights?
When a plane lands and takes off, your ears can become plugged and stuffed with rapid changes in cabin pressure. That is a function of your ear's eustachian tubes, whose purpose is to level out pressure. In babies, these tubes have not yet developed, and it is therefore more challenging for them to adapt to rapid changes in pressure.
Babies' eustachian tubes are shorter, narrower, and positioned in a more horizontal position, and therefore less effective at allowing air through and leveling out pressure. That can cause a build-up of pressure in the middle ear, and make a baby uncomfortable, even painful. And, when a baby has a cold, mucus can plug these tubes, and make the sensation even worse. Because babies have no awareness of what is happening, they will react with fussiness, crying, and restlessness
Can Flying Damage a Baby’s Ears?
Fortunately, flying will not hurt your baby's ears in any lasting manner. However, it will hurt a lot worse, in fact, a lot, lot worse, if your baby is not feeling well with a cold, ear infection, or stuffed nose, for these will plug up the eustachian tubes and make it even harder for pressure to become balanced out. If your baby is not feeling well with a cold, stuffed nose, or ear infection when planning a trip, then it is best to seek your doctor's advice.
In a small number of cases, your doctor will prescribe saline drops, a nasal aspirator, to dislodge obstruction, and sometimes even pain killers, such as infant acetaminophen, or ibuprofen, to make any aches and pains less painful.
Signs Your Baby is Experiencing Ear Pain
Your baby may not be able to tell you that their ears hurt, but some common signs include:
- Pulling or tugging at their ears
- Increased fussiness or crying
- Difficulty sleeping during the flight
- Rubbing their ears against your shoulder
If you notice these signs, you can try a few techniques to relieve their discomfort.
How to Protect Your Baby’s Ears During Flight
By taking these proactive measures and planning ahead, you can help minimize your baby’s discomfort during air travel and ensure a smoother, more pleasant flying experience for the entire family.
1- Breastfeeding or Bottle-Feeding During Takeoff and Landing
Helping your baby to swallow and suck during both ascent and descent can ease ear aches caused by changing air pressure. Having your baby with you at these times can make them calm and secure. For a nursing infant, a baby carrier or a pillow can stabilize you in the small airplane seat.
For a bottle-fed infant, have a stash of prepared bottles with formula or breast milk at your disposal, and have them at your fingertips when your baby cries for them.
2- Use a Pacifier
If your baby doesn't require a full meal during ascent and descent, a pacifier can serve a perfect alternative for offering sucking motion to calm ear tension. Suckling a pacifier replicates the same sucking mechanism of sucking a bottle or nursing, and it helps calm ear tension.
Since a pacifier can fall off and get lost, having a spare one or two in your carry bag in case one drops out of your baby's mouth during a journey is advisable.
3- Encourage Drinking
For older babies, providing them with small cups of water, formula, or juice during takeoff and when landing can relieve ear pressure.
Ear tubes and balancing out pressure are opened when swallowing happens. Do not use bubbly drinks, such as these can make your baby uncomfortable and make them gassy.
4- Try the Vacuum Effect
You can also relieve your baby’s ear pressure by putting your hands over your baby’s ears and then moving them up and down in a rapid motion. It can permit air to pass through in the ear and level out the pressure.
Do a practice run first to make sure that it feels soft and comfortable. It can work when your baby isn’t sucking, swallowing, or yawning.
5- Offer Soft Foods for Older Babies
If your baby has started with solid foods, providing them with soft, bite-sized foods, such as bananas or small crackers, can calm ear tension. Chewing will stimulate jaw and ear motion and can stimulate balancing of pressure.
Foods, however, that can make a baby choke, and foods with a high level of stickiness, cannot be taken, for these will become a problem when in a seated position in an airplane.
6- Lollipops and Chewing Gum for Older Kids
For toddlers and older children who can safely have small items in their mouth, sugarless lollipops or chewing gum can serve in getting them to swallow and level out ear pressure.
Because swallowing tends to keep the eustachian tubes open, offering them during ascent and descent can make symptoms easier to manage. To prevent choking, these treats can only be given to three years and older and must be closely monitored when consumed.
7- Delay Feeding if Necessary
If your flight is delayed or the departure time changes unexpectedly, try to adjust your baby’s feeding schedule so that they are hungry at the time of takeoff. By doing so, you can ensure they will actively suck and swallow during the most critical moments of pressure change.
Keep extra formula, breast milk, or snacks readily available in case of extended waiting periods, so you are prepared for any last-minute adjustments.
8- Keep Your Baby Hydrated
The air inside an airplane cabin tends to be very dry, which can lead to dehydration and nasal congestion, making ear pain worse. To prevent this, offer your baby regular sips of water, formula, or breast milk throughout the flight, especially if it is a long journey.
It is best to avoid sugary beverages, as they can contribute to dehydration and may cause additional discomfort. Keeping your baby well-hydrated can also help maintain proper mucus membrane function, which plays a role in keeping the eustachian tubes clear.
9- Consult a Doctor for Congestion or Illness
If your baby has a cold, seasonal allergies, or any condition that might cause nasal congestion, it is a good idea to consult your pediatrician before flying. Your doctor may recommend using safe baby-friendly antihistamines or decongestants to help clear your baby’s nasal passages and reduce congestion, making it easier for them to handle air pressure changes.
Additionally, using saline nasal drops or a nasal aspirator before takeoff can help clear mucus buildup, ensuring that your baby breathes more easily during the flight.
10- Infant Pain Relievers for Sick Babies
If your baby is teething, has an ear infection, or is showing signs of general discomfort before flying, it may be beneficial to administer a baby-safe pain reliever, such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen, before boarding the plane.
Be sure to check with your pediatrician regarding the appropriate dosage based on your baby's age and weight. Pain relievers can help reduce inflammation and make the flight more comfortable for a baby who might already be dealing with discomfort.
11- Use Noise-Canceling Headphones or Earplugs
Airplane cabins can be noisy, with booming engines, in-flight announcements, and general chattering passengers, and can make your baby’s tension level rise and have them less relaxed.
Baby-friendly sound-canceling headsets or soft earplugs for babies can work to muffle exterior sound and make for a quieter ride. It can even protect them from loud, startling sounds, and make for a quieter plane ride.
12- Keep Your Baby Comfortable and Calm
Dressing your baby in soft, comfortable layers allows you to adjust to changing cabin temperatures without making them too hot or too cold. Bringing along their favorite blanket, stuffed animal, or soothing toy can help them feel more secure in an unfamiliar environment.
Since stress can sometimes make discomfort worse, keeping your baby calm and reassured will make it easier for them to cope with any ear pressure they may experience during the flight.
13- Choose the Right Seat
If possible, try and book an extra legroom seat, for instance, one at a bulkhead, as these have room to stretch and attend to your baby comfortably. In case your airline allows use of a bassinet for long trips, book one in advance to have your baby sleep in a safe and comfortable environment during your trip.
Having enough space aids in easier feeding, comforting, and taking care of your baby’s needs during your trip, and overall, lessens your and your baby’s trip-related tension and anxiety.
Extra Tips:
- Check Airline Policies: Some airlines provide bassinets or allow early boarding for families. Check in advance.
- Pack Essentials in a Carry-On: Keep diapers, wipes, extra clothes, and a few favorite toys handy.
- Use a Nasal Aspirator Before Takeoff: Clearing nasal passages can help prevent ear pain.
- Practice at Home: Let your baby suck on a pacifier or bottle while you gently cover and release their ears.
- Keep Calm: Babies can sense stress. Stay relaxed, and comfort them with a soothing voice.
Prepping Your Baby’s Ears Before Flying
A little preparation can make a big difference in preventing discomfort. Consider the following tips before you fly:
- Adjust feeding schedules to align with takeoff and landing.
- Use baby ear protection like noise-canceling baby headphones or earmuffs to reduce loud engine noises.
- Pack a pacifier case so it’s easily accessible during pressure changes.
- Ensure your baby is well-rested before the flight to minimize irritability.
Letting Your Baby Cry: A Natural Pressure Reliever
Though no parent enjoys hearing their baby cry, crying can help open the eustachian tubes and relieve ear pressure naturally. If your baby starts crying, try comforting them, but know that the crying itself may be helping ease their discomfort.
Flying with kids can be challenging, but with the right preparation, you can minimize ear pain and make the trip more comfortable for your baby. Keep essentials like pacifiers, feeding bottles, and baby ear protection handy, and consult your pediatrician if your baby has any health concerns before flying.
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