Ear Tubes - Canton, GA

Hi K., My son had done 2 sets of tubes within 15 months. I used little cotton balls on his ears and worked perfect. The plastic ones that were provided really didn't work, comes out easy. Hope this help you.

Do you use ear plugs? Our ENT fitted my son with Docs Pro Plugs and they really helped keeping the water out of his ears. Another product we use, especially in the swimming pool, is the Ear Band It system. Google it and you will find lots of places on line that sell it.

Good luck!

Hi K. - I'm a C. too :). I am a work from home mom with three children and live in Johns Creek GA. So we're sort of long distance neighbors.

I've dealt with my share of ear infections and if I remember correctly it's the bacteria that starts to grow in the ear fluid, not necessarily the fluid itself, that is the cause of the infection. While I've read that bath water isn't usually a culprit in causing the infection, you may want to try a couple ideas just as a precaution.

There are little soft foam ear plugs that you can get to help keep water out of her tiny ears. And I've also seen a product that may help her deal with the hair washing better. I believe I last saw it in my One Step Ahead catalog (they have a website). I just looked it up. It's called a shampoo visor. You can adjust it so it will help direct the water away from her ears and keep it out of her face too. Hope this is helpful.

I so understand your desire to be home with your daughter! I worked until my 2nd child was born and am so grateful to have worked from home since then. Visit my website if you'd like to know more: www.FindTheDuck.com Good luck with the little ears!
C.

My daughter had tubes when she was 16 months old and had ear infection after ear infection after having them put in. But after about a year it slowed down to maybe 2 a year. Anytime in the summer when she was in the pool she would get swimmers ear. Her tubes lasted a little over 2 years but she eventually got better on her on. But at the age of 7 we moved to Canton Ga and she started to get sinus and ear infections, in November she had Tubes put back in. And not one ear infection since! Hang in there, and run the blow dryer over her hair and ears, after water time. It helped us!

My daughter had about 10 ear infections before she was 1. I am not exaggerating. Once she had the tubes in she was fine. Her ear infections were from allergies mainly. I had to remove all of her stuffed animals, vacuum daily, and give her dimetapp occasionally for the seasonal allergies. My husband smokes too. The doctor said that made it worse. He even smoked in the garage, but it still seeps up through the walls. Changing the bedsheets often helps with allergies also. Not sure if this helped.

K.,
My dtr at 7 mos had tubes (she is now 7 1/2 yo). None of the ear plugs worked. The 1st time we put them in she pulled them out and put them in her mouth. Not a good solution!! She wouldn't keep the head wraps on either! Ugh!! Needless to say, we invested a bunch of $ in items that didn't really work for us. We were just very diligent on the ears not being submersed in water. Our doc said rinsing water over the head at bathtime wil not result in fluid buildup - it's the submersion of the ears.

I hate to say it but I think day care is probably the culprit. Shortly after her tubes went in, I became a SAHM (it was planned well in advance of the tubes) and she only got 1 ear infection in 3 years.

I think that I would seek another Doctor to get a second opinion. My son has had two sets in three years and has not had an ear infection since. He is in daycare also. If you want a referral let me know.

Many children in my family have had tubes. My suggestions are to cut out dairy, check for any possible allergies (mainly food), and rub/ear the neck area in a downward motion. The rubbing will help the fluids move out of the ear. I have used it successfully when my son has complained of an earaache and it always goes away. Rub as often as your child will let you. Applying some diluted lavender essential oil to the area while rubbing is suppose to help too. I have done that as well.

Something that a child might not like is having peroxide poured in the ear. Works best if the child stays on his/her side for 5-10 mins. I would warm to room temperature to make it feel better in the ear. I can't remember how you are suppose to do that. I wouild imagine you could boil some water, stick a metal spoon in it. When the spoon is warm/hot add some peroxide to the spoon. When the peroxide is warm (NOT hot!) add to the ear canal. Works wonders for my husband and myself. A local pediatrician also recommended this to drain earwax from my cousin's ear (5 yrs old). Works better than most things out there and kills germs too. One warning - peroxide can bubble and sound loud in your ear. I like it but it can scare some kids. Be sure to talk to the child first if possible. Might be able to try warm peroxide when child is asleep. I CAN"T SAY WHETHER THIS IS SAFE FOR TUBES. You need to ask your DR. as it might dislodge the tubes and they might fall out. I don't know! We have never used this on a child with tubes. I know my brother's tubes always fell out in the ocean, often because the salt water healed his ear. SO peroxide might make them fall out too, but it might heal it and if you keep it up, it would be cheaper in the long run!

From experience most kids with ear infections have allergies, often to dairy. Cigerette smoke can cause it too.

You should be able to put something (vinegar or something) in the ear after tubtime to help prevent bacteria growth. I would imagine peroxide would work too but vinegar might be better accepted by the child.