How to Guide on ways to soothe your baby’s ears when flying.
Welcome back, fellow traveller! If this is your first visit to our little town, you’re in for quite the
adventure. Last time, we explored the world of skin hypersensitivity in our tiniest residents.
Now, as we continue our journey through the tricky landscapes of sensitivities, we’re making
a stop at the infamous "Ear Canal"—a delicate spot for many of our precious little explorers!
Today’s journey takes us to the skies, veering slightly from our usual adventures. Prepare
for a smooth flight as we dive into must-know tips for when the pressure is sky-high for your
baby’s ears.
A couple of weeks ago when I was flying back from Thailand, I was thrust in a painful
scenario that led to an excruciating 3 hour journey!!!
Before you jump to conclusions—no, there was no hostage situation, near plane crash, or
any other life-threatening incident, though we did hit some turbulence. The real drama came
from the cries of a 15-month-old boy (let’s call him Cal) that lasted a solid 3 hours! His parents tried everything they could think of to the best of their abilities. They tried soothing him with
comforting words, walking around the aircraft gently rocking him in the hopes that he would
fall asleep, distracting him up with toys, as well as singing to him. Unfortunately this baby
was in too much pain.
Cal's ears were both blocked due to the high altitude and the pressure changes affecting the
middle ear, specifically behind the eardrum. Poor thing cried non-stop till we landed, by that time he was exhausted and so were the parents.
Why does this happen?
When flying or even riding in an elevator, it is very common for our ears to get blocked. This
is because the air pressure deceases as we go higher and increases as we go lower. The Eustachian tube connects the middle ear to the upper throat and helps balance air pressure. When we yawn or swallow, our ears 'pop' because the Eustachian tubes are adjusting the pressure in the middle ear.
In kids, those tiny Eustachian tubes don’t always work so well, especially if they’re blocked
by mucus or swollen adenoids. Adenoids are glands located in the upper airway. When the pressure isn’t balanced, it pushes on the eardrum and causes pain. That’s why babies often cry during take-off or landing—or in poor Cal’s case, the whole flight!
So what can you do?
Here are some helpful tips to consider before taking your little one on a flight:
Check those ears! Before flying, make sure your baby’s ears are in tip-top shape. You don’t want them up in the air with an ear infection—ouch!
Noise-cancelling earplugs or earmuffs, please! Pop on some noise-cancelling earplugs or earmuffs to protect those little ears from pressure and loud sounds!
Sweet distractions. Give your baby something sweet to suck on, or lace the pacifier with
little sweetness. The sucking motion helps relieve the pressure and unblocks their ears.
Breastfeeding to the rescue. Feeding during the flight can help too—just keep your baby sitting upright for comfort. It sure worked with Cal!
Pre-flight nap magic. Get your baby to sleep before boarding, and when they stir, bring
in the pacifier for extra comfort. Fun fact: On my flight with Cal, there were two other babies
who snoozed right through boarding- and guess what? Not a single peep from them the
entire time! Turns out, a little pre-flight nap might just be the secret to a peaceful flight for
baby, parent and everyone else on the aircraft.
Need more help? If the ear pain is really bad, a visit to the ENT might be the way to go for a bit of extra support.
Extra tips for the older kiddos:
Drink up! Non-caffeinated drinks are great for keeping their ears clear by encouraging swallowing.
Try some fun breathing exercises! Breathe in, pinch the nose, and gently exhale through the nose while pinching it to open up the passage. It’s a great trick for take-off and landing!
Having said that, it is also important to note that some kids and grown-ups are total rock stars
when it comes to high altitudes and pressure changes. Hikers and divers rank high on this
list. That’s why it’s super important to have those ears checked so you know just how
sensitive they really are. Personally, my ears are like diva queens, which is why you’ll find
me either happily sucking on lollies or jamming out with my headphones every time I take to
the skies!
Well then parents and guardians, thank you for joining us on this special adventure through
the Ear Canal! I hope this has been an insightful read. Join us next time for more fun insights
and adventure!
Fancy learning more interesting facts? Check out our “Did You Know” postings on our
Instagram page: cheekie_shop
They’re colourful, catchy and super fun to read
As always please remember to check out the disclaimer below! Thanks for reading. Catch
you in my next post.
Au revoir,
Pooja Kei
Disclaimer: The content provided on this blog is for informational purposes only and is
based on basic research and personal experience. It is not intended to be a substitute for
professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your
physician or other qualified healthcare professional for any medical concerns or conditions
related to skin hypersensitivity. The author and Cheekie Shop are not liable for any adverse
effects or consequences resulting from the use of any suggestions or information provided
on this blog.
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