Traveling With Small Children

By Hollie

I have recently read an article in a magazine that offered tips on how to ease airplane ear with a child.  With the planning of a summer trip to California, I could not help but tune in.  In this article, they offered tips on how to ease airplane ear (the biggest problem with traveling with children).  The article suggested that for babies you have them use a pacifier or drink a bottle, toddlers learn to yawn, children four and up eat an apple or carrots, and children eight and up chew gum or suck on candy.  Yes, these are all great tricks, but through the duration of a 5 hour flight, I do not find these tricks to be as helpful.  I know that when I travel by plane my ears are popping throughout the flight.  It seems as though there should be something else.  I have heard several people mention that they had given there child something over the counter, but this was only in passing.  Has anyone ever heard of this, or have traveled with a child via airplane?  If so, what did you do to help cope with the flight, extensive packing, and airport experiences?

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