Treating the Baby Ear Infection:
Sweet Pain Relief
Healing the oh-so-common baby ear infection easily becomes priority #1 on every
sleep-deprived parent's list of to-do's.
Now that you've made your educated-guess, you're
ready for The Magic Wand of Healing. What will that look like? A trip to the
doctor? or an ole' fashioned water bottle?
Here are some of the common treatments you can expect to try in striving for
that baby ear infection healing miracle.
If your baby seems to pass several of the symptom tests found in Part One, call your doctor
for an appointment. Treated, a baby ear infection is relatively minor. Untreated
it could spread and morph into something much more serious, like meningitis.
Your baby's doctor will look inside her ear with a special tool (an otoscope) to look
for an eardrum that is red, bulging, and possibly even draining.
Germ Gambling
There are two major germ classes that cause infections: viruses and bacteria.
70% of all ear infections are caused by bacteria. Viruses cause about 8-25%, and the
rest is a nasty party of both.
Antibiotics will only work on the bacteria-caused
infections. (Viruses, like the common cold, can't be treated with medicines.)
Initially, your doctor will gamble. Either prescribing antibiotics ("I think
it's bacteria") or sending you home with at-home care instructions ("I think it's
viral.") The only way your doctor would be able to tell for sure would be
to take a sample of the fluid using a small needle.
If your baby is younger than 6 months, seems predisposed to ear infections, has had
multiple recent infections, or has had symptoms longer than 48-72 hours, it's
very likely your doctor will prescribe an antibiotic. The most popular of
which is amoxicillin. (Be sure to mention to your doctor if there is penicillin
allergy in the family.)
Once you've started your infant on the medication, it is extremely important
that you finish the whole dose. No cheating! Just because Little Jimmy
feels better around Day 6 doesn't mean you can quit!
There may be some bacteria still left inside, even though the pain is gone.
If you stop too early, you may allow the
suave Mr. Bacteria to start his family all over again.
In some cases, your doctor my prescribe ear drops (like benzocaine). Never, ever
put anything into your baby's ears without a doctor's direction.
Once you've finished the medication, schedule a follow-up appointment with the
doctor. He'll want to make sure there's no more fluid behind the eardrum. 5 out of
every 10 children still have some fluid 3 weeks after an ear infection is treated.
If your doctor sends you home for further observation, or if you're simply trying
to get through the night before the doctor visit in the morning, there are some at-home
treatments you can try for a baby ear infection.
You can give infant acetaminophen (Tylenol) to help lower any fever and provide pain relief.
You could also offer ibuprofen (Motrin, Advil), in alternating doses every 3 - 4 hours.
Never give your baby aspirin.
If you'd rather not give medicine, you can press a warm (not hot) wash cloth
or water bottle against the ear to mask the pain and distract your baby.
Slant your baby's crib mattress up a little by sliding a pillow underneath.
The angle may alleviate some of the pressure on her ears. Just be sure she can't climb out!
Unless the ear infection was caused by allergies (which is possible) antihistamines and
decongestants will be of limited use. If you do choose to try one, make sure it
doesn't already have acetaminophen inside. You don't want to overdose!
Finally, a study published in the Journal of Clinical Chiropractic Pediatrics
showed that 80% of the 400 children who received regular gentle adjustments avoided
ear infections for at least another 6 months.
Installing drainage ear tubes (called a tympanostomy) is the most common
surgical procedure for babies every year. More than 1 million are performed every year.
Of course, they don't let you just sign your baby up. Here are the usual requirements:
- Persistent fluid in the middle ear for more than 3 months with hearing loss
- Three or four ear infections over a 6-month period or 6 or more in a year.
Side Note: Here's a fun fact! I was the first child in
the state of Iowa to undergo the procedure to place tubes in my ears. (At least
that's what my mother says...) It's on the resume.
{Elena is ready for surgery}
I was surprised how easy and non-complicated the whole procedure was. The toughest part
was preventing Elena from having anything to eat or drink the night before.
Once we got to the hospital, the whole procedure only took a few minutes. After staying
in the hospital another hour for observation, we were released. It took about a half a day.
The teeny-tiny (about the size of a pen tip) plastic tubes are surgically
placed in the eardrum to allow some of the fluid to drain out the ear and prevent
further infections.
The tubes don't make it completely impossible for her to get another baby
ear infection, but it does drastically reduce her chances. If she's had hearing loss,
it will be restored after the tubes are in.
The tubes will fall out on their own within 6-18 months, as the hole
closes. In about 1% of cases, the hole needs a surgical patch to close.
Finding baby ear infection pain relief is just a matter of mixing up the correct antidote.
A little Tylenol here...an antibiotic there...throw in a tube or two...and WHAM!
you've got a happy little girl again!
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