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Infant Earache Relief

Earaches are a common and frustrating part of childhood. They are caused by colds, viruses or bacteria. In some cases they are caused by a blockage in the Eustachian tube. Learning the symptoms associated with earaches is the first step to providing pain relief. Once the ache is diagnosed, your pediatrician can prescribe the appropriate course of action to get your little one smiling again.

  1. How to Spot an Earache

    • There are several ways to tell if your infant has an earache. The first clue is crying or fussiness that does not fit with the infant's normal behavior. A fever is another warning sign. The fever can be slight or high. If your infant is suffering from a cold or sinus infection, he may have an ear infection as well. Other signs include pulling or tugging at the ears, a loss of appetite, refusal to take a bottle or nurse, irritability, listlessness, diarrhea or fluid drainage from the ear.

    See Your Doctor

    • You should always consult your pediatrician if you suspect an earache. Your baby may have an ear infection or she may have some other type of infection. She may simply be tired, over-stimulated or just need to cry for a little while. Your doctor will be able to pinpoint the problem and to recommend the appropriate course of action.

      Most pediatricians prescribe antibiotics for ear infections. According to Dr. Robert Ruben, an ear, nose and throat specialist from the Montefiore Medical Center in New York, "With young infants it's usually better to err on the side of caution and prescribe something." Your doctor may also instruct you to use an over-the-counter infant pain reliever such as infant Tylenol drops.

    Home Remedies

    • There are a couple of things you can do to help relieve your baby's pain that do not involve medication. The Mayo Clinic website recommends using warm compresses to help relieve the pain. Dudley J. Weider, an otolaryngologist from the Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center in Hanover, N.H., suggests keeping the infant's head elevated to help relieve the pain. The doctor notes that most children with an ear infection don't seem to experience the pain during the day when they are upright and active. The upright position may help the fluid to drain from the Eustachian tubes down the back of the throat.

    Monitoring

    • If your infant is prone to ear infections you may want to purchase an EarCheck or similar monitor. These monitors allow you to check for fluid in the ear by placing the monitor probe in the outer ear canal. The monitor emits beeps that bounce off of the membranes inside the ear and then provides a reading. An early diagnosis will guide you in seeking treatment and pain relief for your child.

    A Word of Caution

    • The Mayo Clinic cautions against giving aspirin to any child under the age of 16 due to the risk of Reye's syndrome. Reye's syndrome is a very serious condition that affects the brain and liver. It is most common in children suffering from a viral infection. Giving infants ibuprofen and acetaminophen is not recommended unless your doctor instructs you to do so.

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