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Original poster

Flying with baby ear infection

20 replies

Fir5ttimemum123 · 30/07/2025 20:40

My fourteen month old has had a ear infection since Monday night we are in Spain and a doctor treated him here. He has taken amoxicillin since Monday and is getting better but slowly. We’re due to fly back tomorrow and I’m starting to freak out about his ear. On Monday the dr said he should be fine to fly by Thursday but I don’t know. What’s your opinion please

OP posts:
Springadorable · 30/07/2025 20:42

Not fine. Ear infections are brutal, and even kids with ears that are perfectly healthy cry on take off and landing (I fly every three months with mine). Any way to get back by land? Because that will be agony.

Original poster
Fir5ttimemum123 · 30/07/2025 20:45

We’re in Spain and travelling to Scotland, so no. But more than happy to book new flights if it means baby won’t be in pain. Wasn’t sure if i was being dramatic

OP posts:
Ponderingwindow · 30/07/2025 20:48

As an adult I once flew with an ear infection. I would not do it again. It wasn’t just the flight. I damaged my ear and it caused weeks of problems.

can you get the ear checked again before you fly? You may find that the infection has already largely cleared.

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lollydu · 30/07/2025 20:50

My daughter (6) had ear infection on holiday, got antibiotics on the Tuesday eve and she flew on the Saturday. She said her ear ached a little on landing but she wasn’t in agony and it was fine. Fingers crossed you get home without issues x

Springadorable · 30/07/2025 21:22

Fir5ttimemum123 · 30/07/2025 20:45

We’re in Spain and travelling to Scotland, so no. But more than happy to book new flights if it means baby won’t be in pain. Wasn’t sure if i was being dramatic

I wouldn't say you are being dramatic. The pain is a lot. Childbirth - fine. Ear infections and flights - no thanks.

YaWeeFurryBastard · 30/07/2025 21:27

I wouldn’t do it. I wouldn’t risk my baby being in a lot of pain when I had no way of stopping it. I’d definitely delay for a few days until fully better.

Squishymallows · 30/07/2025 21:27

Agree you need to see a dr again to confirm before you fly that is has cleared up

LoveSandbanks · 30/07/2025 21:46

It depends on where the infection is. My ds had an ear infection when we were due to fly back from Spain. We saw a doctor, who prescribed antibiotics the morning of our flight. The infection was outer ear so he was fit to fly. A friend flew, as a toddler, with an inner ear infection and it led to complications and he is now deaf.

JG24 · 30/07/2025 21:59

Bit off subject but how on earth do you know when they've got an ear infection? Is it obvious? I've got a toddler and every now and again they have very waxy ears - is this a sign?

scaredfriend · 30/07/2025 22:14

JG24 · 30/07/2025 21:59

Bit off subject but how on earth do you know when they've got an ear infection? Is it obvious? I've got a toddler and every now and again they have very waxy ears - is this a sign?

Temperature, screaming in pain, pulling at ear. If the ear drum bursts, there may be pus and / or blood. Waxy ears dont necessarily mean infection (but keep an eye on their hearing as they may well have glue ear).

AliceMcK · 30/07/2025 22:21

As someone whose eardrum burst on a flight due to an ear infection I’d highly recommend delaying a couple of days if you can. The antibiotics may be working and he could be fine but I’d not take the risk.

ooooohlala · 30/07/2025 22:21

I really really wouldn’t. It would be total agony for them. Your insurer should sort you out new flights/ extended hotel / all the medical stuff, but you should call them asap to get the ball rolling.

Vineman · 30/07/2025 22:26

Fir5ttimemum123 · 30/07/2025 20:40

My fourteen month old has had a ear infection since Monday night we are in Spain and a doctor treated him here. He has taken amoxicillin since Monday and is getting better but slowly. We’re due to fly back tomorrow and I’m starting to freak out about his ear. On Monday the dr said he should be fine to fly by Thursday but I don’t know. What’s your opinion please

Don't fly until you know the infection is over would be my advice. I flew with an ear infection and damaged my eustachian tube as a result. I now have chronic sinus and balance issues as I can't drain fluid effectively. An infants ear is much more delicate and at higher risk.

HotAndSweatyButNotBetty · 30/07/2025 22:28

A doctor has told you they will be fine. MN can't look in your child's ear and very few have talked about the number of days they consider it reasonable for you to delay. So Sunday, Monday? Take the doctors advice over MNs

I agree with others that getting another check up might make you feel better but I imagine there isn't time now.

A week or 5 days after an ear infection wouldn't worry me. On active treatment for it ...yes I wouldn't fly.

Original poster
Fir5ttimemum123 · 30/07/2025 22:31

He just had a temp of 39.1 and was crying a lot which he never does, dr examined and said it was ear infextion. Apparently they tug at their ear also when sore but my boy didn’t

OP posts:
Sub2Mumma · 30/07/2025 22:32

@JG24what gave us a clue DD had an ear infection recently was she wailed when going round corners / roundabouts in the car. She had been tugging at her ear but I thought it was teething related as no temp. Antibiotics prescribed after trip to GP and within 48hr she was all good

Sub2Mumma · 30/07/2025 22:33

OP definitely ask for ear to be checked out and take it from there 💖 nothing worse when they are unwell but definitely magnified by being out the country I hope your LO recovers soon ❤️‍🩹

insomniac1 · 30/07/2025 22:34

This happened to my son. We were told that antibiotics work really quickly so by day 3 of taking them he would be fine to fly. We did fly on day 3 and he was fine. I would think by tomorrow it’s ok to fly

blueredpurple · 30/07/2025 22:56

If you can see the doctor again before flying, I would. Hopefully they can do a check up and confirm the infection is clearing/has gone.

I wouldn’t be delaying flights after a few days of antibiotics, unless the doctor recommended doing so.

Isitreallysohard · 30/07/2025 22:59

Please don't. I had am ear infection for the first time about a month ago and it was horrible, my son had one a few days earlier and I was quite dismissive (sent him to nursery, but he was upset at pick up so took him to Drs) and I felt terrible not realising how much pain they must've been in 😪

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