Is your little one suffering from an ear infection? That can be quite obnoxious… Fortunately, with the right information and some extra care, you can help your baby. In this article, you’ll learn exactly what an ear infection is, how to recognize it, what you can do to prevent it, and how to ensure a proper recovery.
What exactly is an ear infection?
An ear infection is a common ailment in babies and young children. It occurs regularly, especially in a baby’s first year of life. Did you know that 10 to 20 percent of children in that period have an ear infection three or more times?
Children under the age of five usually have a middle ear infection. This causes the area behind the eardrum to become inflamed, often due to a simple cold. The pressure that arises can cause the eardrum to bulge. That is often painful and uncomfortable. Sometimes it even leads to a tear in the eardrum, causing moisture to flow out (“runny ear”). This sounds scary, but luckily the tear usually heals by itself within a week.
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The symptoms of an ear infection in a baby
Recognizing an ear infection is not always easy. Your little one can’t yet pinpoint where it hurts. Therefore, pay attention to these signals:
- Ear discharge
- Severe ear pain
- Fever
- Clingy or sickly behavior
- Feeling irritable (finding)
- Restless sleep
- Temporarily impaired hearing
- Cold symptoms
Does your baby often grab their ears or seem to unable to drink or lie down comfortably? Pay attention to these signals. Is your baby under six months old and do you recognize these things? Then consult your family doctor.
What can you do to prevent an ear infection?
Preventing an ear infection is not always possible, but with the following tips, you can reduce the likelihood that your baby contracts an ear infection:
- Use the pacifier in moderation. Give it only to your baby to fall asleep, especially after six months. This can reduce the number of ear infections by 30%.
- Teach your child to blow their nose. Do so as soon as possible, because blowing properly helps to keep the Eustachian tube clean.
- Rinse your baby’s nose regularly. Use a physiological saline solution to thin mucus and let the cilia do their job.
Treating an ear infection in babies
Fortunately, an ear infection almost always heals by itself within a few days. With some babies, it can sometimes take a little longer. In the meantime, you can relieve the pain with paracetamol (in suppository form). Antibiotics are usually not necessary. In 80% of children, the inflammation disappears within two to three days without medication.
In some cases, the doctor may prescribe antibiotics or ear drops. For example, in babies younger than six months, if the infection is in both ears or if your child is very ill.
Tips for an ear infection
Here are some tips to help your little one recover:
- Make sure your baby is drinking! Drinking may be difficult due to pain or fever, so offer your baby small quantities at regular intervals.
- Monitor any pain or fever. If the pain persists after three days or your baby gets sicker, contact your family doctor.
- Dry the ears thoroughly after swimming or showering. This will prevent water from remaining in the ear.
- Never use cotton swabs. This can push bacteria further into the ear. Preferably remove visible earwax with a drop of olive oil.
Ensuring recovery together
An ear infection is annoying, but usually harmless. Fortunately, with a little extra care and attention, your little one will recover quickly. Do you have any doubts or concerns? If so, always contact your family doctor. Remember: You are not alone!
