Ear infections
Many babies and children are plagued with ear infections. Ear infections typically
affect the middle ear and the Eustachian tube — a long tube that connects the ear
to the nose and throat, allowing fluids to drain out of the middle ear. Babies are par-
ticularly susceptible to infections because the Eustachian is short and horizontal. If
fluids build up in the middle ear (usually from a sinus or respiratory infection), bac-
teria can grow and create an infection.
It can be difficult to identify what is wrong with a preverbal baby, but here are some
common symptoms of an ear infection to look for:
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Fussiness
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Crying
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A slight fever
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Pulling or tugging at the ear lobes
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An unwillingness to suck on a pacifier or bottle, or to nurse
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A recent bout with a cold or sinus infection
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Diarrhea
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An unpleasant odor coming from the ear
Most ear infections aren’t serious, and they do go away as your baby grows older.
However, babies with chronic ear infections are at risk for ear drum damage or
hearing loss.
Antibiotics are sometimes used to treat ear Infections. New guidelines for treating
ear infections suggest using a pain reliever first and administering antibiotics only
if the infection doesn’t improve. If your baby isn’t in too much pain, you can help to
improve the infection with massage. Try a gentle massage along the back of the ear,
down along the jaw bone, and in front of the ear using a circular motion with one or
two fingers. You can also use a gentle massage on the back of your baby’s head,
near the base of the skull. These techniques can help clear the fluid out of the
Eustachian tubes to improve healing.
If you want to treat the infection with alternative therapies, acupuncture and chi-
ropractic care have been successful in treating and preventing ear infections. Also,
if you breastfeed your baby for at least six months, your baby’s chances of getting
ear infections are lessened due to the immune-building antibodies that are present
in breast milk.