Home Remedies for Infant Earaches

Earaches are a common complaint of young children and babies. Three out of four children will experience an ear infection by the age of three, according to the National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders. An infant with an earache will tug at its ears, cry more often, have a high fever (100 degrees Fahrenheit or more) and be more irritable. Most earaches go away on their own within a few days, but there are also a few home remedies you can try. If your child is still complaining of ear pain after a few days, call a pediatrician.

Mustard Oil

• Warm a small amount of mustard oil (which is thought to have antibacterial properties) and drop four drops into each infected ear. Mustard oil is also a good preventive if you feel your child may be at risk for getting an infection, for example after she has been swimming or gotten water in her ear.

Radish

• Chop up an radish into tiny pieces and add it to a few spoonfuls of mustard oil. Heat this oil over an open flame and then strain the liquid. Place the oil into a dropper bottle to save it. Whenever you child experiences an earache, place a few drops into each ear to help quickly relieve the pain.

Vinegar

• Mix equal amounts of vinegar and water. Use distilled water or boil the water first to eliminate the chance of bacteria that could cause further infection. Place a few drops of this mixture into the baby's ear. Wait a few minutes, then tilt the baby's head to allow it to drain out.

Sweet Oil

• Use "sweet oil" (mild vegetable oil) to help clear up ear infections. Use a dropper to place a few drops of olive oil or canola oil into your infant's ear. Place a cotton ball on the ear and lay the child on his side for a little while. The oil will help loosen the buildup in the ear and allow it to drain.

Sesame Oil

• Mix 1 teaspoon of sesame oil and 1/2 clove of garlic in a saucepan and allow it to get a little warm. Strain the liquid and let it cool. Use a dropper to drop three or four drops of the liquid into the infected ear. Lie your infant on her side to make sure the liquid stays in the ear for at least 15 minutes before you allow it to drain out. Turn her over and put the drops in the other ear. Test the drops to make sure they are not too hot before you put them in your baby's ear.