Health Tip: Ease In-Flight Ear Pain

Keep kids comfortable while flying

September 21, 2011 RSS Feed Print

(HealthDay News) -- Flying can cause discomfort in the ears, and can be especially painful to children with an ear infection.

The Nemours Foundation suggests these ways to help alleviate a child's ear pain during takeoff or landing, when changes in pressure are most likely to trigger ear pain:

Offer plenty of water or other decaffeinated drinks.
Give your child acetaminophen or ibuprofen about 30 minutes before takeoff or landing.
If your child is at least 3 years old, offer a piece of gum or hard candy.
Offer a baby a bottle or pacifier, or breast-feed.
Encourage your child to yawn often.
Keep your child awake during takeoff and landing, and encourage swallowing.