We are traveling to Costa Rica in 9 days and have a 3 year old and 9 year old with us. My 3 year old is one of those rare children that benadryl, etc. actually makes her hyper. I am trying to figure out something to help her out for the ears, being peaceful in general, etc. during our 11 hour total flight time and stand by time.
Get the dye free benadryl. The dye is what causes the hyperness...
Not sure about the ears, gum maybe if she is able to chew it.
I do know that there is a homeopathic remedy for calmness. I know you can get it at wild oats. I think it is called calmeaze or something similar. It works great for adults and children. I have used it with my three year old with great sucess.
I am jealous of your trip. I can't wait to visit Costa Rica!!!
Peace and love,
amber
Gum helps to hears to pop,if she can chew and not swallow it and choke. Try puzzles,color books,kids music player,whatever she like to play with and as much as you can carry, anything to distract her, then she might not notice the ears as much. Also, find out if can carry snacks, fruit snacks,crackers, box juice, I not sure how the liquid rule is now. You can make both of them carry some stuff in a small backpack. If they are affected by too much sugar or caffine you might want to avoid these. Have fun and good luck.
J.,
My 4 year old is the same way with Benedryl. We use Dramamine with her when we travel. You can also go to GNC and buy seratonin which will help with sleep and any jet lag.
Best of Luck!
S.
If you think your 3-year-old would do okay with it, I would suggest giving her chewing gum during take-off and landing to help with her ears or having her take lots of drinks of water.
As for keeping her occupied:
* a little hand-held game system like a V-Smile or Leapster would do wonders (and it's educational)
* a magnetic Doodle-pad or the portable AquaDoodle
* crayons and coloring books (look for triangle shaped crayons that don't roll)
* books and snacks
* audio books and a portable CD player
* a portable DVD player with her favorite movies (with headset)
A lot of these things your 9-year-old would like, too.
Good luck and have a nice vacation.
Hi J.,
I have been flying with my daughter since she was a baby. She's 4 1/2 now - so let me tell you what has helped me greatly with her.
I invested in a portable DVD player with headphones - I think you can find them fairly cheaply for about $25 or so at Sam's Club - and brought all of her favorite movies with us. I packed an activity bag of her favorite coloring books and crayons, and storybooks that I could read to her. A lot depends on what the child likes or what will occupy them - even bringing along a card game and playing with them can be helpful. I also brought travel bingo along once but she got bored with that pretty fast.
What also helped with her was giving her the window seat as watching what everyone was doing with the plane really fascinated her, but that may not work with all kids.
On the ears, when she was smaller I gave her the pacifier on takeoff and landing - and more recently, I have a yawning contest with her on takeoff and landing - we try to see who can yawn the loudest - the motion will help her ears adjust to the altitude.
Good luck and have a safe trip!
M.
