Flying and Your Child's Ears

Many of us have felt that weird ear-popping sensation when we fly. For kids (especially babies and young children), it can seem especially odd and even scary at first. But you can reassure your child that it's a common, normal part of flying.

This sometimes uncomfortable sensation is related to pressure changes in the air space behind the eardrum (the middle ear). But how does that work, exactly?

Normally, the eustachian tube, a passageway that leads from the middle ear to the back of the throat behind the nose, equalizes the air pressure in the middle ear to the outside air pressure by opening and letting air reach the middle ear. When your ears "pop" while yawning or swallowing, your eustachian tubes are adjusting the air pressure in your middle ears.

In children, however, the relatively narrow eustachian tubes may not function as effectively, especially if they're clogged by inflammation and mucus from an

Drink plenty of decaffeinated fluids (water is best) throughout the flight. Drinking a lot is very important, not only because it encourages your child to continue swallowing (which makes the eustachian tubes open), but also because airplane air is dry, which thickens nasal mucus, making it more likely for the eustachian tube to become clogged.

Take acetaminophen or ibuprofen about a half hour before takeoffs or landings if you know your child has ear pain when flying.

Chew gum or suck on hard candy (only if your child is older than 3 years).

Take a bottle or pacifier or Steven Dowshen, MD
Date reviewed: June 2006