Baby Airplane Ear Pressure

During the climb after takeoff and descent before landing changes in pressure between the outer ear and middle ear can cause discomfort.

Baby airplane ear pressure.

Baby airplane ear protection. Swallowing will open up her eustachian tubes equalizing pressure in the inner ear let your baby cry. If that doesn t work. This occurs most often and most intensely during descent but it can happen during take off as well.

However for a severe case of airplane ear you might need to see a doctor. Some babies experience ear pain on airplanes and others don t. If your baby has had ear surgery or an ear infection in the past two weeks ask his or her doctor if it s ok to fly. Ear barotrauma also known as airplane ear is a condition that causes ear discomfort when you experience pressure changes such as altitude change.

Again as with children use of ear protection may help when flying with a baby. Ear pain is caused by a difference in pressure in the middle ear and the cabin of the airplane. A good way to help prevent it is to have your baby breastfeed drink from a bottle or cup or suck on a pacifier during takeoff and landing. The in ear type may be a problem for the very young so over the ear protectors will be more comfortable.

Airplane ear is also called ear barotrauma barotitis media or aerotitis media. Self care steps such as yawning swallowing or chewing gum usually can counter the differences in air pressure and improve airplane ear symptoms. Breast or bottle feed your baby during takeoff and landing. Then due to unequal pressure the eardrum can become stretched causing pain and discomfort as the inner ear does not have time to keep up with the fast moving pressure changes.

As soon as the pilot announces you re about to descend offer baby a bottle breast or pacifier to relieve ear pressure. Suckling or drinking anything babies who already know how to drink from a cup can do that too. If that doesn t work gently rub your baby s ears. While most adults have eustachian tubes that are more vertical.

Remember that it s safest to have baby strapped into her carseat in her own airplane seat at these times. You can even use your finger as long as it makes your baby suck and swallows. A short anatomy lesson will help you understand airplane ear and how it develops. The suckling help neutralize the ear pressure.

Be ready for ear pain.