Empowering mothers worldwide through connection, support, and shared experiences ✨
The strong consensus is that flying is safe for a healthy baby, and the key to easing ear pain is to feed (breast, bottle, or pacifier) during takeoff and landing so the baby's jaw is moving. Eardrops are SOS only.
⚠️ Caution:Do not use eardrops or any medication (including paracetamol) routinely - treat them as SOS only and check with your pediatrician before flying, especially if your baby has a cold or ear issues.
Parents dread the idea of their baby screaming in pain from ear pressure on a flight and wonder whether it's even safe to fly so young. The community is reassuring on both counts - flying is fine for a healthy baby, and the simple trick of feeding during takeoff and landing (keeping the jaw moving) prevents most ear discomfort. Many moms shared they flew with babies as young as 1.5 months and gave no medication at all, just a feed and some cotton in the ears.
Here's what moms in our community shared based on their own experience.
Keep feeding the baby (bottle or breast) during takeoff and landing. If that doesn't work, use a pacifier. The key is that the baby's jaw should be moving (gulping balances ear pressure) - if the baby refuses feeds, give a teether or anything to chew.
Cover the ears with cotton balls and place your hand over the ears, especially during turbulence.
Otogesic eardrops are SOS only - feeding during takeoff/landing is the main approach. Many moms gave nothing at all (no paracetamol), just breastfed.
Flying is safe if the baby is healthy and you're confident handling them. Some started travelling at 1.5-2 months and it went well.
Opt for the VIP lane and airport assistance. Check for a bassinet seat, consider booking an extra seat/row for space, and check the free baby luggage allowance (diaper bag, stroller). Carry the vaccination and birth certificates.
Travel around the baby's nap time, but some moms preferred NOT flying at the baby's usual sleep time so the whole family stayed rested - a noon flight worked well for a 2-hour trip.
Some planes are hot when boarding, so carry a handheld fan. After about 4 months, distractions help more than just feeding. A carry nest is handy.
The information shared on this page comes from real experiences of mothers in our community. While we strive to provide helpful insights, this content is for informational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice. Always consult with your pediatrician, healthcare provider, or other qualified medical professional for any questions regarding your child's health or development.
Last reviewed: June 17, 2026
Join our community to ask questions, share experiences, and connect with fellow mothers.
Join a Community