Ear Infections - San Antonio,TX

A few drops of peroxide in each ear, especially after bath time or swimming. If it is bubbling up a lot - that means it is working. If no bubbles - then ear is dry and clean. It pushes out any dirt with the bubbles which can then safely be cleaned. It also disinfects.

Re pulling the ear - my third son would always pull his ear. I always thought he had ear problems as a baby. After closer watch - it was his way of telling me he was tired. It was his signal. Pay attention to when she is pulling on her ear - is it a new thing? He's 3 now and still does it every once in awhile when he is really tired.

My son has had two ear infections and wasnt terribly cranky at all. We were told not to let him lay on his back and drink. So we set him in his rocking chair that reclines enough to let him hold his own bottle but not so flat that his nasel passage interfeer with his inner ear. Basically his allergies would get mixed in with his inner ear and cause an infection when he was drinking laying down. Hope this helps. He would cry and nothing would satisfie him so thats when we took him to the doc. and as soon as he got some meds then he was alright.

Hi R.
Is your baby breast or bottle fed?
Try to keep her in a semi-upright position when feeding her and after her meals.

Hi,R.,,,
my yougest son had ear infects alot he was never cranky high tolance to pain he's 22 and still same ,,,so that isnormal 4 some to not be cranky.AS for cause they say smoking around them causes lots of ear infections i smoke
Hope this is some help to you,oh yes he had to have tubes in ears passage way to small ,,,but its not a big deal she'll be fine
good luck L.

They say that breastfeeding is the best way to prevent life long ear infections, so breastfeed as long as possible. I could only breastfeed for 3 months, but that must have been enough for my daughter.
Some ear infections come from water in the ears (unchecked swim ear) There is no way to prevent others. Of course, don't use qtips, just wipe wax with a wash cloth from the outer ear. compacting the wax is bad.
I suffered MAYN MANY HORRIBLE ear infections as a child. Ruptured ear drums and all. I was not breastfed and severly neglected as an infant/toddler before my family adopted me. I still suffer at least one a year, after having tubs twice. Catching it early is very important while they are young.
Be thankful that she isn't too cranky. She must not have suffered much. As she gets older there will be tell tale signs. Some kids get gunky/slimmy eyes and all toddlers fall when they have ear infections. A lot, for no reason. I would always be able to tell moms that their children where suffering from an ear infection before the kids would show any signs of pain. The first couple of times, moms would look at me like i was crazy, like, "yes, she is just now learning to walk, of course she is falling" But I was always right.
Pay very close attention to your daughter, you'll learn the signs. Good luck and I'm sorry that she had to go through one, especially so early. I'm glad that she is feelling better.

My daughter seemed to get ear infections around the time allergies were most prevalent. What ended up helping us was an allergy medicine prescribed by the doctor, and Robutussum DM to stop the drip that can cause an ear infection...after that...she didn't have any problems. There are different ways to get ear infections, but if your daughter has seasonal allergies...perhaps it's the drip causing the problem...oh, and I didn't know my daughter had an ear infection at times until she would lay down and cry. Good luck!

Number one most important thing is to give her ALL the medication even if it has already "cleared up". Ending antibiotics prior to the full course encourages the formation of antibiotic resistant bugs and the ear infection will come back, worse. You noticed the problem the first time, so watch for a return of the same type of symptoms to make sure it is gone. Most of teh time, if the medication is given appropriately and completely, it will clear it up. You could always take her back just to be sure.

The second question is harder. There are tons of theories without a lot of proof as to things that make your child more or less likely to get ear infections. Breast fed babies definately have less ear infections, but at 5 months old if you haven't already that isn't something you can do anything about. Childrens ear tubes do not have enough tilt in them to facilitate proper drainage. That is why kids get more ear infections than adults. As they grow the tubes get more of an angle to them and it prevents the stasis of any fluids or debris that cause the infection. There is nothing you can do to change this, she just has to grow!

As to the third question...I have 2 boys, 3 and 6 and between the two have only had 3 ear infections in the last 6 years. My children never ran a fever, never got fussy, never even played with their ears. One was diagnosed because I took him in for his runny, stuffy nose (allergy issues)and the doc found it. One had a cough I took him in for and doc found it. The very first one I found while putting him in his carseat and saw nasty stuff draining out of his ear. I was very distressed that I was a terrible mom, my baby has an ear infection and I didn't even notice until it got that bad! I was reassured by the doc that frequently children have little to no symptoms and it wasn't surprising I hadn't picked up on it.

You could go back to the doctor for a check to be sure it is cleared up but you would probably also be able to tell by your daughters behavior. I would just look for the temp and her playing with it or being unusually fussy.

Her not being terribly cranky could be more to do with her personality. With my first son we couldn't tell if he had an ear infection and his limit for a fever (before he falls apart) is 103. My second son would get irritated before the infection was really bad and his limit for a fever is 101.

I hop eoshe is feeling better soon.
J.

Hi R.,

If your daughter starts running a fever or exhibits other symptoms, take her back to the Pediatrician. The medicine your Pedi prescribed probably worked just fine. Remember, though, that the nurse at the office can address any concerns you have.

Check out a trusted medical resource on the web. I like and trust WebMD.com. If you search for "preventing ear infections", you'll find several articles that offer advice.

Take care,
J. B
Parent Coach

My son got his first ear infection at 9 months. The Dr found it at his normal check-up. I never knew he was sick. He never ran a fever or acted like he hurt. The Dr said some kids react differently to pain etc. He has had a few more and he is 3 1/2 now. The only way to make sure it is cleared up is to take them back to the Dr after they finish the meds and have them check it out. Only once did we have to do another round of meds, usually it clears up the first time. I still have not found a way to prevent them. The only thing that seemed to help was allergy meds, but we couldn't start those until 2 yrs of age. Good luck.

Hi R.,

I am a true believer on home remedies....I didn't like to give my children medicines especially as infants because they are very young.....since you are already giving her medication for it....finish it and then to stop them from reoccuring.....get some extra virgin olive oil and crush a large garlic in it.....leave it over night or at least 15-30 minute (if you need it right of way)...don't make to much just in a very small container put olive oil just enough to cover the garlic......then you can put some drops in her ears every day....about 2 drops in each ear letting her rest her side about at least 10 minutes so that the oil can go in her ear, cover with a cotton swab and then do the other side and do the same thing......she will smell garlicy so if you plan on going out that day just do it at night or if you don't plan on going any where then you can do it during the day....whatever your schedule may be.....the garlic is like an antibiotic and will prevent her from getting them over and over again just try to do it everyday or every other day....well hope she gets better..

My son was neve cranky and always had an ear infection. You can't really tell if the medicine has cleared up the problem unless you go back in for a re-check. I had lots of times with my son that he got sick with in a week of finishing the antibiotics because they didn't fully clear it up. After this happening several times we ended up getting tubes placed in his ears. He had no more ear infections and the tubes fell out a year later and he has still been fine. As far as preventing them, always hold your baby upright to feed her a bottle. Don't have her lay down on her own and drink the bottle.

Ear infections are tricky for the parent to diagnose, and to tell if they are completely cleared up. Our pediatrician always does a follow-up appointment for ear infections for the babies since they can't verbalize that their ears are still bothering them the way an older toddler can.
My youngest (16 months) had 6 rounds of antibiotics from the time she was 6 1/2 months to 1 year, and some of those were given at the follow-up appointment because there was still so much fluid in her ears (and our doctor is generally not prone to hand out unnecessary antibiotics). We finally had to have tubes put in her ears. She would get an ear infection after every little sniffle, but she has been terrific (and so much happier!) for the 3 months since the tubes.
My 2nd (4) probably had 5 or 6 infections, but they were spaced out over 2 1/2 years (she hasn't had one for almost a year and half). Though her early ones were accompanied by fever, her last couple were marked only by her screaming, but screaming an "I'm in pain" scream for an hour straight was enough for me to take her in. My oldest (now 6) only had one ear infection when he was 18 months. (And for the record, I breastfed all of them for well over a year...still nursing the baby.)

R.,

I went through the same thing. My little one had a ton of ear infections he first year. The meds should work if for some reason it doesn't you will know because the fever will be back and she will play with her ears. Infections usally have a fever so when you are concerned keep that in mind. Now that said...I could tell when my little one was getting an ear infection. She would start to play with her ears and get cranky when she was laying down. Then the fever would show up.

From what I experinced you can't prevent them. It's to do with thier ear canal. I don't want to jinx myself but we have seemed to grow out of getting them ever other month.

Good luck.

Mom- 38 Little Girl alomst 2

It might help if when you give her a bath make sure that water doesn't get in her ears. I have 3 children and none of them got cranky when they got ear infections. The only way I knew is the fever and pulling on the ear. Hope she is better.

Once a ENT told me if a lot of water gets in the ear of a child it will create problems with the ear eventually. My daughter (now six) got her first ear infection at the age of 2 yrs. My son (3 yrs old now) has had T. ear infection so far. Prevent feeding your baby when he/she is laying down. The other thing I did was cover their ears when bathing so the water does not go in.

Good luck,
Elisa

R.,
Word of caution...be careful with the whole ear infection, anti-biotics thing. If it gets to be a constant happening, then I would question your doctor. They have done studies to see if this isn't one of the causes of ADHD. It would be a good idea to bring this up to your doctor ~ I am not a professional medical person, I have just heard this a few times before, and it was also on a questionaire that I had to fill out once on my son.
As far as your questions...The only way to really know for sure is to have her ears checked by her doctor. Some kids are just prone to this, either because of allergies or teething. And, no, they are not always cranky when this happens unless you push on or around their little ears and hit the infection.
Best of luck, I hope she doesn't get any more.
Deborah

Hi R.,
My son had chronic ear infections almost immediately once I stopped breastfeeding. He was never really cranky either. He had a low grade fever and would pull on his ear. He would randomly wake up in the middle of the night. The doctor said that they feel the pain more at night because there is no noise. Vibrations from noise masks the pain. I would make sure that you take her for her follow up appointments. My son responded to some medicines better than others. There are some children who are more prone to infections because of the size and shape of their ear. When he was 14 months, we had tubes put in his ears. It was the best decision we ever made.
Good luck!
~C.

.It sounds crazy but when my daughter was little I could tell if she had a temp. by feeling her back. My son was his feet. Playing with the ear is normal and that will always be your first hit that something is not right. The temp. thing you will find you way with. With out having to that the temp. The med is working if she does not have a fever, and is not playing with her ear. The Dr. most likely set up a app. for a recheck. She should be back to her normal self soon. They bounce back fast. Good luck with your little one.

Hi R., You're one of the lucky ones who's child gets ear infections. I'm being sarcastic, of course. My son had chronic ear infections and my 1 year old daughter has had tubes since she was 8 weeks old. I actually purchased an otoscope when we found out early on that she was going to have terrible ear trouble. Eventhough she has tubes, there's still a threat of ear infection so I use it quite often. It's by Dr. Mom and I bought it on Ebay (new for $25). I took it up to my pediatrician's office and he showed me how to use it. He was actually very impressed by the quality. Now, it takes some practice to figure out what you are looking for but it has been well worth $25!!! btw...if she ends up getting an ear infection every time she has a cold, and the doctor is considering tubes, don't hesitate! It has been FAR worth it! As for knowing if it's clearing up...we spent plenty of copays going to the doctor for silly ear checks with my son. It was such a waste. He was like your daughter, never acted fussy and never had a fever from them.

You just described my daughter's symptoms with ear infections. Unfortunately my three daughters all had chronic ear infections. Elevating the crib mattres was one suggestion that I was given and tried. Ear plugs when bathing them is another. Sadly for us the only way those infections went away was to have ear tubes placed. We tried all the antibiotics and my girls just did not respond to them. Their pediatrician even tried mixing two antibiotics and that seemed to work for a while but they came back. If your daughter develops rash on her privates, PLEASE ask your doc for a different antibiotic. You have that right!

You'll know if the ear infections went away when you go back to your follow up appointment after the antibiotic is completely taken. If you see a change in your baby's appetite that may be a clue as well.

If you have to go with tube placements (ususally considered after three ear infections) I highly recommend Dr. John Youngblood.

Take care and good luck.