17 Month Old Gets Ear Infections...

-I nursed my little one during take off and landings--helps equalize the pressure.
-Also, I took her to an osteopathic doctor in Kittery, Maine (Timothy Kingsbury). My kid had over 10 ear infections (a few nasty ones) in her first year of life--but she hasn't had one since he treated her with osteopathic manipulative therapy.
-She used to get ear infs w/ every cold, but she's been sick several times and no ear probs since--and its been 4 months with no infections since her treatment.

Yes, there IS something out there that you can give your kids so you stop having all these colds and ear infections! It's called "Now for Kids" and it's made by Reliv International, a 20 year old food science company with the safest and best products out there. The American Medical Association says we all have to supplement because there isn't enough nutrition in our foods anymore, so the question is, which supplement? We know that 3/4 of the population supplements, but certainly 3/4 of the population isn't healthy - we have constant colds, flu, high blood pressure, obesity, high cholesterol, and much more. We know that vitamin pills and any other supplements in pill form are not fully absorbed - in fact, maybe only 25-35% - so the rest is wasted, both nutritionally and financially, not to mention filling up our water supply. We know that a lot of kids' products, such as the Dimetapp you mention, or kiddie vitamins ALL carry warning labels.

The beauty of Reliv is that there is nothing dangerous inside and there are no warning labels required by the FDA. A baby could eat an entire month's supply in the can, and not have to go to the hospital or the doctor. The product contains DHA (for brain development) and Omega 3 fatty acids, all those great ingredients that we worry that our kids don't get thru their food, as well as the proper nutrients in (and this is KEY!) the proper balance and in a highly absorbable form. The kids I know don't get ear infections, rarely get colds (and if they do, they last a day or so), never get strep or all the other awful things that make them miserable or make them miss school. Tremendous results in getting rid of allergies, including food allergies. I'd love to tell you more and let you talk to some other parents.

When my children were little, I would buy them "ring pops" for the plane. It helps to keep them swallowing and relieving the pressure in their ears. They rarely had candy, so it was a very special treat. If their ears bother them during the flight, ask the attendant for a 2 cups with a paper towels in the bottom lightly saturated with very warm water. Place the cups over their ears, the warm moist air with sooth their ears.
Check with your Pedi about what meds are available.
Good Luck!

The problem comes from the increased pressure in the ear, as you know, and there is one other way to release it. The eustachean tube has an opening into the throat that lets it drain. This opening has a flap of skin that covers it to prevent food from getting up there from the mouth. You can massage this flap to get it unstuck (mucus can make it stick shut sometimes).

To unstick it, use a clean finger to reach into his mouth, just back behind the last gum. On the cheek wall there, you will feel a small bump in the skin that is the flap. It's a little tricky because of his gag reflex, so try to do it fairly quickly, but gently. Just massage this bump on each side, and the ears should open and the pressure will be released. I learned this from a doctor, and it worked with our children with no problem.

I have a toddler who has had 5 double ear infections over the last year and we have flown 3 times around the times he was recovering. His Dr recommended Tylenol a half hour before the flight takes off and she gave us a prescription for drops that numb the ears. I did the Tylenol and he has a pacifier so that combination seemed to work for him. I never had to use the drops but they are nice because they are supposed to work instantly and you only have to use them if there is pain. Oh and cherrios or some other snack that makes them chew works for the pressure too. Good luck!