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.

Part One:
Causes ~ Symptom Tests ~ Prevention Tips

Part Two:
Antibiotics ~ At Home Relief ~ Ear Tubes

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.

{Photo by Maessive}

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.

Baby Ear Infection Medication

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.

{Photo by Bolton}

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.

At-Home Pain Relief
for an Infant Ear Infection

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.

Drainage Ear Tubes

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}

In January 2008, we had to take our little Elena (then 10 months) in to get tubes placed in her ears.

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.