Baby Airplane Ear Pressure

Baby airplane ear protection.

Baby airplane ear pressure.

As soon as the pilot announces you re about to descend offer baby a bottle breast or pacifier to relieve ear pressure. 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. Airplane ear plugs for flying can effectively help to keep the pressure even in your ears by simply restricting the flow of air to the eardrum.

If your baby does not accept a dummy yet you can try these tips to help your baby take a pacifier. If that doesn t work. Ear barotrauma also known as airplane ear is a condition that causes ear discomfort when you experience pressure changes such as altitude change. The suckling help neutralize the ear pressure.

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. Again as with children use of ear protection may help when flying with a baby. You can even use your finger as long as it makes your baby suck and swallows. Self care steps such as yawning swallowing or chewing gum usually can counter the differences in air pressure and improve airplane ear symptoms.

See further down the page take a bottle or pacifier or breastfeed. The in ear type may be a problem for the very young so over the ear protectors will be more comfortable. If that doesn t work gently rub your baby s ears. Breast or bottle feed your baby during takeoff and landing.

Some babies experience ear pain on airplanes and others don t. During the climb after takeoff and descent before landing changes in pressure between the outer ear and middle ear can cause discomfort. Swallowing will open up her eustachian tubes equalizing pressure in the inner ear let your baby cry. Remember that it s safest to have baby strapped into her carseat in her own airplane seat at these times.

While most adults have eustachian tubes that are more vertical. However for a severe case of airplane ear you might need to see a doctor. Be ready for ear pain. Suckling or drinking anything babies who already know how to drink from a cup can do that too.

A short anatomy lesson will help you understand airplane ear and how it develops.