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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Not to fly with a toddler with an ear infection

25 replies

UmmKultum · 31/12/2017 00:45

We're due to fly tomorrow, short haul (2 hour) flight.

3 yo dd has had a temp and painful ear for 4 days now. I took her to walk in centre this evening. They said she has infection and started her on antibiotics.

They said she's ok to fly but could be painful and that it's our decision (she's not contagious).

I think no, we should delay. Dh thinks we should go. We'll need to make a call in the morning (all of us hoping she'll wake up with a big smile and totally healthy).

Aibu not to travel?

OP posts:
MissEliza · 31/12/2017 00:49

I reluctantly had to postpone a trip back to my dps as ds had an ear infection at the age of 2. The length of the flight is not that relevant as it's the taking off and landing that causes discomfort to the ears. Of course I will never know if I made the right call as we took the safest option. Perhaps if you load your dc with calpol and ibuprofen it will be ok. It's a judgement call really.

Original poster
UmmKultum · 31/12/2017 00:52

That would be the plan - to load her up with calpol and neurofen.

Its just that i have flown with an ear infection and it was absolute agony. I'm hesitant to inflict this on dd.

OP posts:
badbadhusky · 31/12/2017 00:55

DS got water in his ears swimming during this year’s summer holiday. He started to wail as the plane ascended and was in pain for the whole 3 hr flight home. It only subsided as the plane came in to land. It was awful to witness.

If the doctors said she’s OK to fly (& noted it on her medical record) it’s possible your travel insurer will refuse to pay out for an aborted trip.

Original poster
UmmKultum · 31/12/2017 00:58

Its not an issue with insurance. Cost of changing flights is less than deductible so we wouldn't claim anyhow. We live abroad and are visiting family here so that would be only cost invovled.

OP posts:
mumpoints · 31/12/2017 01:01

As it's short haul, is there any other way of getting to your destination without a plane?

Original poster
UmmKultum · 31/12/2017 01:07

According to google maps (i just checked!) it'd take 20 hours by train so i think that'd be a volcanic ash last resort!

OP posts:
Coolaschmoola · 31/12/2017 01:15

I wouldn't, it would be cruel.

CandleLit · 31/12/2017 01:15

When I had an ear infection and flew it was the landing that was most painful but only lasted as long as the landing. It really depends on the reason to travel. If something important like a wedding for a family member, I would consider it. For anything else, no. Depends on you and your child.

Original poster
UmmKultum · 31/12/2017 01:25

We're going home from a visit to the uk and could postpone flights. One of us could stay with dd and the other take older dc home. We're staying with family who are happy to have us stay on.

Im more convinced now that she shouldn't fly unless shes much better in the morning. I havent yet heard one anecdote that actually it was ok and not too painful.

OP posts:
RB68 · 31/12/2017 01:30

There is more to consider than just pain - the air pressures in the plane and on land and take off could spread the infection to the bones of the ear and cause further infection. We treated an ear infection 10 days before long haul flight, seemed to go no issues no pain etc flew had 3 weeks there and flew back, went back to GP twice before ended up in hospital for a week on intravenous ABs due to mastoiditus. DD was only 8 so slightly older. I would say if you have the money and the option to stay for a few extra days to let the AB take effect properly then do that

Linning · 31/12/2017 01:51

I am someone who often gets ear infections a few days before flying long-haul and I am always scared about it but as long as I take pain killer right before the flight I am actually fine and don't feel worse than I would without an ear infection.
I once flew with a simple cold though on a short-haul flight and I had the worst pain I have ever felt in my ear, it felt like an elephant was repeatedly jumping on it and it lasted for the 25 minutes it took to land, the longest 25 minutes of my life and I litterally cried out in pain.Sad
I couldn't hear well and felt a massive amount of pressure in that ear for a day and then I was fine again, I didn't even have an ear infection. It was just a cold. I personally never had a problem when flying with an ear infection but there isn't really any way to know how your DD will feel. If you do decide to fly make sure she takes her antibiotics/pain killer right before flying so it kicks and remain active throughout the whole flight.

Good luck, and hope your DD gets better soon!

anothersuitcase · 31/12/2017 02:44

An outer ear infection will be fine. If it's the inner ear it will be incredibly painful and could even result in a burst ear drum. So if your doctor is saying it's ok then I suspect it must be an outer ear infection.

Original poster
UmmKultum · 31/12/2017 08:03

It's middle ear. Eardrum is red and inflamed.

OP posts:
Crunchymum · 31/12/2017 08:13

You and DD stay and your DH go home?

BattleCuntGalactica · 31/12/2017 08:18

Don't do it. It will be agony on the little one, and you'll feel bad when she screams in agony and there's nothing you can do about it. Moreover, you'll be inflicting that on the other passengers too. I wouldn't give a shit about the others, but you can bet someone will be vocal and horrid about it.

Runningoutofusernames · 31/12/2017 08:36

Don't do it! I burst an eardrum this way, was awful

CheeseyToast · 31/12/2017 08:42

This happened to us, phoned dr back home who said on no account to fly for next 4 days.

ElizaDontlittle · 31/12/2017 08:48

I got an ear infection at 16 abroad - it was painful before we started and I cried with the pain - mum was lovely but we needed to get back for school etc. Like many others, burst eardrum (which at least relieved most of the pain as the pressure on the drum is what causes it to hurt).

Original poster
UmmKultum · 31/12/2017 08:53

She's woken up with no fever and no pain in her ear! Shes had 3 doses of antibiotics now so i guess it's working.

OP posts:
Amanduh · 31/12/2017 08:57

I've flown with an ear infection on way back from holiday. The flight didn't affect it whatsoever

ElizaDontlittle · 31/12/2017 08:57

That makes the decision all the harder. Is she old enough to be able to equalise the pressure in her ears even if it really hurts? Any family members a GP to have a quick look at the drum?
Hope all goes well whatever you decide OP

Original poster
UmmKultum · 31/12/2017 20:52

So we flew in the end and she was totally fine!
We decided that if she complains of ear pain at any point during the day, even at the airport, we would not let her fly but she didnt have any pain. I gave her some neurofen and calpol just in case but she had no discomfort at all. Phew! Safely home now.
Thanks for all the advice!

OP posts:
MissEliza · 02/01/2018 14:28

Glad all was fine in the end,Op.

PersianCatLady · 02/01/2018 18:23

If it's the inner ear it will be incredibly painful and could even result in a burst ear drum
That really hurts.

OP - Did the doctor say otitis media (middle ear infection) or otitis externa (outer ear infection) or "swimmer's ear" to you at all?

PersianCatLady · 02/01/2018 18:27

Ignore my post.

I am glad it all went OK.

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