Ear Pressure

The most common childhood and adult

 discomfort while flying with a toddler is ear pain. Because toddler's eustachian tubes (the passages between the middle ear and the nose) are so narrow, it's hard for air pressure in the ear to equalize when the cabin's air pressure changes during takeoff and landing. Swallowing helps open the passage, so give your toddler something to eat or drink while the plane taxis down the runway before takeoff and a few minutes before the start of your descent. Some airlines provide warm wet towels during the last segment of a flight; if yours does, hold the towel over the affected ear to provide relief. Over-the-counter decongestants might work for adults who want to prevent ear pain, but a study published in the Archives of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine found that they're not effective in toddlers. Instead, you might ask your pediatrician to prescribe drops to numb the eardrum if your toddler has sensitive ears or give him nonprescription pain medication if he becomes uncomfortable.