How to avoid ear problems in a toddler on take off/landing?

[InTheZenGarden]

Hi,

We are flying on Monday with DD, aged 18 months. Was planning on giving her a bottle on take-off, to make the pressure changes easier on her ears.

But I have just managed to wean her off bottles (which will make the holiday so much easier! ) and really don't want to get her back onto them.

Will a beaker do anything? Or does she need to be chewing/sucking? What do you do?

Thanks

You can buy special plugs for their ears in the Boots inside the airport. They seem to work with my dc's.

I think swallowing is the key. It's all about equalising pressure inside your ear, so dummy drink sweetie.

How about a lollipop - you could keep hold of the stick so she didn't swallow it in one go.

But yes even drinking out of a cup helps so I should think a beaker will be fine.

Carvol (sp?) decongestant pods. when flying to Mexico on my honeymoon a very lovely air steward gave me one of those to sniff in a plastic cup and it did the world of good!

Brilliant, thank you all Shall use a combination of all your suggestions! Thanks