Does a baby have sign of ear infection if he holds his head to one side?

While holding the head to one side can sometimes be a sign of an ear infection in babies, it's not a conclusive indication. Ear infections, also known as otitis media, can cause various symptoms, including:

1. Ear Pain: Babies may tug or pull at their affected ear if they experience pain.

2. Crying and irritability: Infants may cry excessively or behave fussily, especially when lying down or during feeding.

3. Difficulty sleeping: Ear pain can disturb sleep, leading to interrupted or restless sleep.

4. Fever: A fever of 100.4 °F (38 °C) or higher may accompany an ear infection.

5. Ear Fluid Discharge: Sometimes, infected ears may discharge pus or fluid, which may be clear, yellow, or tinged with blood.

6. Loss of balance: Older babies or toddlers may exhibit unsteadiness or an inability to maintain balance due to inner ear involvement.

7. Difficulty hearing: Infants and toddlers may not respond to sounds or appear less attentive to voices or noises.

However, holding the head to one side is not specifically associated with ear infections. It could merely be a preferred sleeping position or a result of other issues, such as neck muscle tightness or torticollis (a condition where the neck muscles cause the head to tilt or turn to one side).

If you suspect your baby might have an ear infection, the best course of action is to consult a pediatrician. They can diagnose the problem accurately by checking the baby's ears with an otoscope and recommend appropriate treatment if necessary.