air travel with congested 2yo

[MamaPhD]

We will be flying to family for christmas in a few days and DD has a cold.  It's just a regular cold and she is OK except she is pretty congested.  I am worried about her ears not popping during take off and landing.   When I had flown congested my ears hurt so much I nearly cried!  I understand this is because your fluids in your ears get thick as well when your nose is congested.  So I called ped office and the advice nurse told me to give her benadryl but I am kinda against using benadryl for knocking out a child.  It's also a short flight (~1 hr).  Anything I can do to prevent ear pain for my DD?  She will have her own seat & we are using CARES harness if that makes any difference.  Planning on giving her juice sippy for take off and landing but anything else I should do?  Thanks.

ETA: DD is 2yo, 37" 28lbs

Also not sure if this is the right forum so feel free to move me!

[Reg1123]

Is she still nursing?  If so, nursing during takeoff and landing supposedly helps with ear popping, but I've flown with DS quite a few times, and nursing or not, have never had an issue with his ears.

That cold does change things though.  Do you have a Nosefrida?  IMO, they're invaluable with removing mucas and aiding with congestion. 

Good luck mama!

[chel]

not the natural way, but atleast it won't knock the child out.  i use children's liquid sudafed to dry the gunk up.  i too had to fly with a congested kid.  she did great through it all.