Anyone have experience with flying when their toddler has an ear infection? Our pediatrician said it is safe to do it, but I imagine it'll make things more uncomfortable than usual for him.

Our son is 21 months old and has an inner ear infection in his left ear and some fluid in his right ear (just recovered from an infection in it). This is his first time having ear infections. It seems our luck ran out!

It's a post-bedtime flight (after 8 PM), so our plan is to give him a dose of ibuprofen and also some benadryl to help him with the pain and to sleep. We're normally not ones to dope up our kid for a flight, but I think it may be warranted this time. He's had benadryl before, so we already know it will make him drowsy and not have the opposite effect. We'll also be sure to offer him something to chew/suck on during takeoff and landing. I'm thinking we'll do fruit gummies this time. In the past we've offered raisins.

It's a 3.5 hour flight, from AUS-LAX, so nothing too major. He'll be in his car seat rear-facing, so he'll be comfy for sleeping. He is normally a pro at sleeping on the plane. (To set any curmudgeons' minds at ease: his dad will be in the seat in front of him, so we won't be inconveniencing any passengers who won't be able to recline, although it's a 738, so I think that's a non-issue anyway, since the seats slide forward to recline.)

I'm just not sure how much the change in pressure might exacerbate his symptoms.

Thanks in advance for any insight offered!