How to Fly With Your Little Ones and How to Keep them Entertained During the Flight

Rebel on the Plane and How to Manage Your Anxiety

If you read my previous blog, you know half of our family lives very far away and the only reasonable way to go there is by plane. Flying is not my favorite means of transportation, but you also have to consider that driving 20 hours in a car with a 2-year-old is a 2-3 days assignment. I always start thinking days ahead about what we need to bring both for comfort and entertainment. And then there are also other factors that can make your flight more or less unpleasant. One of them is the ear pressure that young kids don't really know what to do with it.

Understanding Ear Pressure During Flights

As I already mentioned, traveling with a toddler can be an adventure filled with excitement and a lot of anxiety. One common challenge that we as parents face is ear pressure during flights. The change in altitude can make your little one's ears feel uncomfortable, leading to crankiness and tears. Understanding why this happens is important. When a plane ascends or descends, the pressure in the cabin changes rapidly, and little ears can have trouble adjusting.

What Can You Do To Relieve Ear Pressure

There are many things you can do, to avoid ending in a situation where your child spends the entire flight crying because of the pain in their ears. One of the most effective methods is to encourage your toddler to swallow. Swallowing helps to equalize the pressure in the ears.

If they are still breastfeeding that is your best option to do during take-off and landing. If they are not, a pacifier or a bottle are a good alternative. If they are slightly older, offering them snacks or even a lollipop will do the trick.

Another effective trick is to gently pinch your child's nose closed while having them sip from a cup. This maneuver, known as the Valsalva maneuver, encourages them to pop their ears and relieve pressure.

Fun Ways to Keep Your Toddler Entertained

Once the ear pressure issue is tended to, it’s important to keep your little one entertained during the flight. This in my opinion is key to ensuring a smooth and pleasant journey both for you and everyone else! For me, like I mentioned preparing ahead makes all the difference. Bring along a small bag filled with favorite toys, books, or coloring supplies; activities that can easily engage my little guy and keep his mind off the flight. Interactive toys that require little setup and allow for imaginative play are particularly effective. (You can find some of my favorite travel must-haves below).

I also purchased a hammock-like plane seat adapter that allows my little guy to sit more comfortably or even sleep, while it also prevents the toys from falling to the floor and rolling to the other side of the plane. (You can find the link below)

Don’t forget to download some fun educational apps or cartoons on your tablet. I only use those once all the other options have been used up. Make sure you have headphones that fit their little ears though, so they can enjoy the entertainment without disturbing fellow passengers. Short video clips or audiobooks can also be a great way to pass the time.

More importantly, let’s not underestimate the power of distraction through conversation. Talk to your toddler about where you're going, what they might see, and other exciting things related to your trip. This can make the flight feel shorter and help them feel included in the adventure.

Flying with toddlers doesn’t have to be a feat of endurance. By managing ear pressure and providing engaging distractions, your next flight can be a breeze rather than a burden. Happy travels!