Do Babies Need Earmuffs for Flying

As a mom, it can seem like there’s an endless list of baby gear to buy when you’re getting ready to travel with your little one. But have you ever stopped to think about whether or not babies need ear muffs for flying?

There are some important things to consider when making this decision so that you and your baby can stay comfortable throughout the flight. In this blog post, we’ll explore the ins and outs of bringing along ear protection for your little passenger during take offs and landings while providing helpful insight related to comfort, safety, and effectiveness. 

So why should I consider bringing ear protection? 

Noise: Air travel, especially during takeoffs, can be quite noisy. Babies’ ear drums are pretty fragile and sensitive to slight changes in vibration.

Pressure: There is a significant drop in air pressure as a plane accelerates. Pressure changes are linked to the human ear and body balance. This change in pressure could cause some issues for your little ones’ ears. 

Although planes and aircraft are optimized to regulate these conditions to fit the human tolerance range, babies are still at risk.  Because of this, it can be helpful to throw some baby ear muffs in your travel bag

 

How To Choose The Right Flight Earmuffs For Your Baby

Whatever is worth doing is worth doing well, so they say. If you will protect your baby during flights, it is better you do it well by getting proper earmuffs. Here are some of the things you should consider when shopping for baby earmuffs.

1. Sizing

Is your baby’s earmuff the right size? It’s not about the brand or design, but the fit that matters. Just imagine wearing headphones that are way too big for you – it’s the same for babies!

Oversized earmuffs don’t fully protect them. That’s why it’s important to find the perfect fit. Avoid ear muffs that are too big or too tight. Instead, opt for adjustable ones. They allow you to tweak the size to perfectly fit your baby’s growing head. Say goodbye to the hassle of searching for the right size with adjustable ear muffs!

2.  Noise Canceling

Looking for earmuffs that actually block out sound? Make sure to ask about options with noise cancellation!

And did you know that the materials used can make a difference too? A cushioned leather earmuff might be twice as effective as a foam one. Paying attention to these details can make all the difference!

3. It must be comfortable

The number one rule of travel, in my opinion, is to make sure I’m as comfortable as possible! You’ve got your comfy clothes, a good pair of shoes, and your neck pillow. While your baby doesn’t need the comfy shoes or neck pillow quite yet they still need to be comfortable! 

We’ve all worn those old headphones that feel like they are squeezing your brain out! We want to avoid that sensation for our baby! Make sure you try a couple of pairs at home before the trip to ensure they are comfortable for your little one. Remember, they will be wearing these for the majority of the flight, if possible.  

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Our favorites

Friday 7Care Baby Ear Protection Noise Cancelling Headphones for Ages 0-24 Months, Black

• FOR SENSITIVE EARS: Protect your child’s precious hearing during the crucial early developmental years with our kid-friendly headphones. Created for ages 0 to 2+, these noise-canceling earphones provide optimal hearing protection for your little one. Say goodbye to noisy distractions and hello to a peaceful environment for your baby. Trust Friday 7Care for the best in kids’ hearing protection – because your child’s hearing health matters.
• GO ANYWHERE: Protect your little one’s hearing on all their adventures with Friday 7Care baby earmuffs. These noise canceling headphones for kids are perfect for live concerts, sporting events, fireworks shows, and airplane rides. Keep your baby comfortable and calm with these kid-friendly earmuffs that provide excellent hearing protection. Don’t let loud noises harm your child’s hearing – invest in Friday 7Care’s noise canceling ear protection for kids today.
• INCREDIBLE COMFORT: Perfectly designed for newborns, infants, and toddlers, these lightweight headphones (under 5 ounces) offer unparalleled comfort. With adjustable headband, they provide a snug fit for your baby’s head, ensuring maximum comfort during extended use. The large internal space eliminates pressure on your baby’s delicate ears. Get your noise canceling headphones for your baby today and provide your child with the ultimate comfort and hearing protection they deserve!
• LOWER THE NOISE, NOT THE FUN: These specially designed earphones provide optimal noise reduction to keep your little one’s ears safe & sound, no matter where you go. Perfect for noisy environments like airports, malls, concerts & sporting events, these noise-canceling earphones are the ultimate solution for kids’ noise protection. Let your child enjoy their day without being disturbed by loud noises. Get one for your baby and ensure your child’s hearing is protected.
• PREMIUM BABY EAR PROTECTION: With soft padded headbands, thick shells, and non-toxic cushion cups, your baby will experience a comfortable noise-canceling experience. Available in green, blue, pink or black, you can choose the perfect color for your little one. Our ear protection is not only affordable but also the perfect baby shower gift for new parents. Say goodbye to noisy environments and hello to a peaceful, protected baby. Get your hands on our Premium Baby Ear Protection today!

Our favorites

Alpine Muffy Baby Ear Protection for Babies and Toddlers up to 36 Months – CE & ANSI Certified – Noise Reduction Earmuffs – Comfortable Baby Headphones Against Hearing Damage & Improves Sleep – Pink

• PROTECT YOUR BABY FROM NOISE | Loud sounds can be quite harmful for babies, and every 8th child suffers from permanent hearing loss! Alpine Muffy Baby limits your infant’s exposure to loud noise during the early years. Whether it impairs sleep or potentially damages the hearing at busy events, ear protection for babies and toddlers is essential.
• NO PRESSURE ON FONTANEL | The head of a baby younger than 18 months is extremely vulnerable because of the not yet closed fontanelle. The Muffy Baby is a better choice thanks to its specially designed soft headband. It fits smoothly and without adding any pressure.
• ADJUSTABLE AND SAFE | Alpine Muffy baby and toddler ear protection has a safe and practical design, without any hard parts that can be harmfull or dangerous. Ear caps are made with multiple layers of noise reducing foam and soft padding for good closure. The upgraded headbands are anti-slip, comfortable and easily adjustable.
• TESTED AND CERTIFIED | Thoroughly tested and proven to reach noise reduction at 23 dB SNR in accordance with US & EU Regulations. Sustainable hypoallergenic material without silicone, BPA free; no allergic reactions or irritations! The baby noise cancelling headphones come with a carrying pouch.
• AWARD-WINNING DUTCH DESIGN | Alpine is an innovator and leader in quality hearing protection with 25 years R&D experience. All products are designed and produced in the Netherlands. A wide variety of products ensure that you can do what you love to do without risking ear damage!

Our favorites

nobrand WORCBGIO Baby Hearing Protection Earmuffs Noise Eliminating Elastic Adjustable for Quiet Sleep and Preventing Potential Hearing Damage (Blue)

• HEARING PROTECTION: Ear muffs can effectively prevent noise. Whether it is for the baby’s comfortable sleep or hearing health, noise-eliminating earmuffs are essential.
• SOFT TOUCH: Our earmuffs are composed of soft polyester tape and PU covering to ensure comfortable hearing protection for kids.
• ELASTIC ADJUSTABLE: The elastic band of the earmuff can be easily adjusted, and it does not need to be pressed on the child’s head like ordinary earmuffs.
• EASY TO CLEAN: The earmuff is easy to clean, just wipe its surface with a damp cloth. And please do not wash it with water. Before use, please check whether the earmuff is normal to ensure stable noise reduction，good hygiene and comfort.
• APPLICATIONS: Our earmuffs can help babies under 24 months have a good sleep. They can also be used to protect hearing when flying, watching a movie, or attending a concert.

Is Flying Bad For Babies

Flying with a baby is a different experience and can be navigated, it just takes some getting used to! 

However, with the proper preparation and safety precautions, you can fly your baby safely without having to worry about an after-sickness.

Here are some of the changes that are inevitable in air travel and the corresponding safety measures when flying with your baby

Breathing changes – There is a significant difference in air pressure on land, plane cabin, and air. However, this pressure-induced breathing change would not pose any challenge to your baby since your baby does not have any respiratory complications.

Pressure Differences and Ears – As you ascend, there is a significant drop in the air pressure. This effect on the ear can be painful, especially if air enters the baby’s middle ear. However, there are many ways to keep this pressure change in check, and they will be discussed in another section of this piece.

Baby’s sitting – There are a lot of questions regarding how a baby should sit or sleep in an airplane. If they are traveling as an infant in arms, you can move them around as necessary to keep them entertained and comfortable. 

I bring my nursing shawl on and will use that as a make shift black out curtain whenever my child is napping. Nursing is also great for regulating ear pressure at takeoff and landing

If they are older and can sit in their own seat, they should stay in their seat with their seatbelts on in case of turbulence. There are some great ways to keep them entertained with a seat tray/organizer.  

 

Dos And Don’ts Of Baby Travel

1. Do Change Your Baby’s Diapers

You should never forget to change your baby’s diaper before the flight. This makes every other thing easy. During the flight, you need your baby to feel as comfortable as possible so that you don’t have to tend to them throughout the flight. A dry baby is a happy(er) baby!

2. Do Not Feed Your Baby Heavy Food

You should not feed your baby heavy food before and during takeoff. As I’ve outlined above, the changes in pressure and sudden bumps can cause motion sickness in some. And no one wants to wear their baby’s lunch for a 3-hour flight! Which is why I ALWAYS pack a change of clothes for us both!

It’s important to make sure they are fed but feel free to skip the heavy pasta!

3. Do Not Use A Sleep Inducing Drug On Your Baby

This practice is prevalent because parents deem it more comfortable to travel with a sleeping baby. However, experts have opined and proven the dangers in this practice. In some cases, these drugs may do the exact opposite of what they are supposed to do and make the baby restless for the rest of the flight. In addition to that, international air travel may trigger an adjustment in a baby’s sleep rhythm; it is not safe to tamper with that before the brain does.

In other cases, these drugs induce unnecessary fatigue and dizziness in the baby long after the flight. To avoid dangerous side effects, don’t use any drugs for the baby without the prescription of an expert pediatrician.

4. Do Dress Up Your Baby In Layers

Due to the temperature differences in air, you should bring fluffy and warm clothes along to dress your baby. It is not always necessary to do this, but you have to be prepared just if the situation calls for it.

Also, you should make sure the clothes you bring with you make it easy for you to change the baby’s diapers. That is very important because you never can tell what your baby’s bowels and bladder can pull during the flight. Finally, you should bring clothes changings for you and your baby, just in case. 

5. Do Not Fly A Baby With Respiratory Complications

Except in extreme cases of emergency (in which you have to seek the doctor’s advice), do not fly with newly born babies or babies that have respiratory and heart complications. This is very important because you would be shuffling between zones of different oxygen levels. In addition, it could turn out that their lungs, heart rate, and blood flow cannot keep up and maintain balance.

6. Do Bring Enough Distractions

This is a measure just in case your baby does not sleep during the flight. You need something to keep them glued to the seat after strapping the baby in. That is where toys, short videos, and the likes come in. You can never be too careful with a baby during a flight.

Conclusion: Do babies need earmuffs for flying?

Hopefully, this post gave you some ideas on how to make the most of your flight. Although flying with a baby can be stressful, there are ways to ensure that everyone is comfortable and that distractions are minimized. Do your research ahead of time and you’ll be able to navigate the skies successfully. If you bring items like noise-cancelling headphones or ear plugs for certain parts of the journey, you may even be able to enjoy some peace and quiet during your travels. With proper preparation, flying with your little one can be an enjoyable experience everyone looks forward to!

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How do I protect my Baby’s ears when flying
 

– You can breastfeed your baby during takeoff and landing because when they suck on something, it helps equalize ear pressure in the middle ear. Similarly and instead of breastfeeding, you could use a feeding bottle. Just make sure the baby has something to suck on.
-Give your baby little bits of water when flying. This is simple; the body needs moisture for the nasal and ear region to keep the mucus from thickening. That way, the ear is not blocked by thick mucus.
-Baby pain relief drugs, too, can help minimize ear pain when you fly with your baby. Just make sure your baby takes it at least half an hour before takeoff.
-You could give your baby something to gnaw at or much on during the flight. The constant motion of the mouth is instrumental to balancing air pressure in the air when flying.

Is it safe to fly with a baby?

There is a lot to unpack with this question and something you should talk with your pediatrician about for your specific case. However, in general, it’s perfectly fine to fly with your baby.