We talk about it with our pediatrician Dr. Michele Arigliani

When can a child take their first flight? Will their ears hurt? What if they cry?

These are common concerns among new parents when planning a vacation that involves flying.

Can a young baby fly?

Yes. Even very young infants—even just a few months old—can generally fly safely. If the baby was born full-term, it is typically recommended to wait until they reach at least 41 weeks of gestational age before flying.
There are no absolute contraindications related to cabin pressurization for healthy infants.

Why do ears hurt on a plane?

The sensation of ears “popping” or feeling blocked comes from pressure changes in the cabin, especially during takeoff and landing (more often the latter). When the pressure inside the ear doesn’t match the pressure outside, it can cause temporary blockage and even pain.

This discomfort is usually worse if the child has nasal congestion or an ear infection (otitis).
If a bacterial ear infection is already being treated with antibiotics, the child can still fly, but it’s a good idea to give a pain reliever (e.g., ibuprofen) about 1 hour before takeoff.

What can adults do?

Adults often relieve pressure by yawning, swallowing, or performing the Valsalva maneuver (closing mouth and nose and gently blowing).
This opens the Eustachian tubes, which connect the middle ear to the back of the nose.

But for young children, this isn’t so easy—so here are some helpful tricks for babies and kids during descent and landing:

Tips to reduce ear pain in children when flying:

  1. Offer fluids to drink – including breastfeeding for infants.
    Swallowing helps open the Eustachian tubes and equalize pressure.
  2. Let them suck on something – a pacifier, hard candy, or, for kids over 6 years old, chewing gum.
  3. If the child has a stuffy nose, consult a doctor beforehand. If recommended, give:
    • A saline nasal spray (especially for infants)
    • A nasal decongestant (for older children) before the flight
  4. If ear pain persists for many hours after landing, a medical check-up is recommended to rule out ear drum damage, though this is very rare.

✈️ With a few simple strategies and a bit of preparation, air travel with children can be made much more comfortable—for them and for you!