Cures for a Baby's Ear Infection

During the first year of life, babies are prone to minor colds that can often lead to ear infections. As their tiny bodies build up immunity to common environmental microorganisms, cold-like symptoms can appear. The mucus that causes congestion during a cold can often migrate to babies' ears, mainly the eustachian tubes, where bacteria begin to multiply and infect this sensitive part of the ear. Ear infections are painful, but treating them is usually quite simple.

Symptoms

• When babies are too young to tell their parents what is bothering them, it can be frustrating trying to decode cries and body movements to determine the root of the cause of discomfort. Luckily, in the case of ear infections, it isn't usually difficult to break the code. A shrill cry, unusual fussiness, lack of appetite, fever and tugging at the ear(s) are often enough to signal that baby might be suffering from an ear infection.

Treatment

• While many ear infections will clear up on their own, it is wise to visit your child's doctor if your baby develops an ear infection during the first year. The doctor will likely prescribe an antibiotic medication that will kill off the bacteria in the ear and eliminate the infection. The antibiotic will usually come in a liquid form that you will administer to your child with a bulb syringe into his mouth for it to be swallowed.

  In addition to a prescription antibiotic, the doctor will likely recommend that you treat baby's fever and discomfort with an over-the-counter pain medication that is formulated for babies, such as Infants' or Children's Tylelonol or Infants' or Children's Advil.

Antibiotic-Resistant Bacteria

• Since ear infections are common among infants and toddlers, doctors are often somewhat cautious when it comes to prescribing antibiotics in children with repeated ear infections. Over time, bacteria can begin to become resistant to commonly-prescribed antibiotics, making ear infections (and other illnesses) caused by these so-called "superbugs" harder to treat conventionally. Because of this, many parents choose to see if their children's ear infections alleviate on their own without the use of antibiotics. In many cases, they do.

  If you or your doctor decide to wait to administer antibiotic therapy, there are steps you can take to alleviate your baby's pain and speed along recovery. The administration of Infants' or Children's Tylenol or Infants' or Children's Advil can help to reduce pain and bring down baby's fever. In addition, warm (not hot) compresses over the ear can help to loosen thick mucus and allow it to drain out of the ear, which may help to alleviate the infection.

  If your baby's fever is more than 100.4 degrees for more than two or three days, it's time to take him to the doctor. While most cases of infant ear infection do clear on their own, it's best to err on the side of caution at this point and obtain professional medical treatment.