How to treat your child’s earache
If your child has an earache on an airplane, have them chew gum or swallow to help relieve the pressure in their ears. If your child is an infant, allowing them to suck on a bottle or breastfeed while the plane lands may ease their discomfort.
If your child is diagnosed with an ear infection, and they are under six months of age, the doctor will prescribe antibiotics. If your child is older than six months and they have only mild discomfort and a low-grade fever, your doctor might decide to wait for two or three days to see if the ear infection gets better on its own. If your child is older than six months, but they are in a lot of pain or have a high fever, the doctor might decide to start the antibiotic treatment right away.
You can give over-the-counter pain medications such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen to reduce your child’s pain. Only give ibuprofen if your child is drinking reasonably well. Do not give ibuprofen to babies younger than 6 months without first talking to your doctor.