Recommendations

Before you leave, check with your physician. Children often have special medical concerns. The doctor can also advise you about medicines you might need if your child becomes ill.

Know your child's dosage of common medicines for colds, allergic reactions, or flu. If your child has a chronic illness, consider bringing a copy of recent medical reports and a list of all medications your child is taking.

PLANES, TRAINS, BUSES

Bring snacks and familiar foods along. This helps when travel delays meals or when the available meals don't suit the child's needs. Small crackers, unsugared cereals, and string cheese make good snacks. Some children can eat fruit without problems. Cookies and sugared cereals make for sticky children.

When flying with babies and infants:

• If you're not breastfeeding, bring powdered formula and buy water after you get through security.
• If you're breastfeeding, you can bring breast milk in larger quantities than 3 ounces -- as long as you tell security people and let them inspect it.
• Small jars of baby food travel well. They make little waste and you can dispose of them easily.

Air travel tends to dehydrate (dry out) people. Drink plenty of water. Women who are nursing need to drink more fluids.

FLYING AND YOUR CHILD'S EARS

Children often have trouble with pressure changes at takeoff and landing. The pain and pressure will almost always go away in a few minutes. If your child has a cold or ear infection, the discomfort may be greater.

Your doctor may suggest not flying if your child has an ear infection or a lot of fluid behind the eardrum. Children who have had ear tubes placed should do fine.

Some tips to prevent or treat ear pain:

• Have your child chew sugar-free gum or suck on hard candy when taking off and landing. It helps with ear pressure. Most children can learn to do this at about age 3.
• Bottles (for infants), breast-feeding, or sucking on pacifiers can also help prevent ear pain.
• Give your child plenty of fluids during the flight to help unclog the ears.
• Avoid letting your child sleep during takeoff or landing. Children swallow more often when they are awake. Also, waking up with ear pain can be frightening for the child.
• Give your child acetaminophen or ibuprofen about 30 minutes before takeoff or landing.
• Use nasal spray or drops before takeoff or landing.

Ask your doctor about using cold medicines that contain antihistamines or decongestants.

EATING OUT

Try to maintain your normal meal and sleep schedule. Ask that your child be served first (you can also bring something for your child to munch on). If you call ahead, some airlines may be able to prepare special kid's meals.

• Encourage children to eat normally, but realize that a "poor" diet won't hurt for a few days.
• Check food for safety (see traveler's diarrhea).

ADDITIONAL HELP

Many travel clubs and agencies offer suggestions for traveling with children. Check with them. Remember to ask airlines, train, or bus companies and hotels for guidance and assistance.

For foreign travel, check with embassies or consulate offices. Many guide books list organizations that help travelers.

Alternative Names

Ear pain - flying; Ear pain - airplane

Updated: 4/12/2012

Reviewed by: A.D.A.M. Editorial: David Zieve, MD, MHA, and David R. Eltz. Previously reviewed by Neil K. Kaneshiro, MD, MHA, Clinical Assistant Professor of Pediatrics, University of Washington School of Medicine (11/12/2010).