What’s the best way to soothe a baby with an ear infection?
Created on: 23.06.2008
When your baby’s up in the middle of the night with an ear infection, it can seem the hardest job in the world to calm her down.
A baby can develop an ear infection when fluid or mucus in the middle ear – usually as a result of a cold – becomes infected with bacteria. And this may cause severe ear pain, fever, slight deafness and flu-like symptoms.
Around 80 per cent of ear infections that come on suddenly clear up within three days without treatment. But an age-appropriate dose of children’s paracetamol or ibuprofen may go a long way to easing the pain and helping your baby to feel better. See the doctor if you are concerned. He may prescribe antibiotics but they are not always necessary.
What are your top tips for soothing your baby? Tell us below.
Here's what our other members have to say...
Julie, 2 months old
"I was very worried about whther i would cope, and be a "good mum" i benifitted most from my instint though. I read alot of information, however when my son arrived, i used the information at first, but then my intinct was telling me to do it differently, the way i felt comfortable with, and how i knew my baby like things done.
Rachel Wilson, 5 months old:
"I have a 3 year old daughter who suffered numerous times with ear infections. Apart from using paracetamol, ibuprofen and sometimes antibiotics from the doctors, the best advice
given to me was to prop the cot up slightly (head end) either using phone books etc or cot blocks. This helps to prevent fluid from the ear running down the throat causing them to cough and being uncomfortable."
Marissa, 23 months old:
"Lots of cuddles and the night spent in Mummy and Daddy's bed. Lay them on the bad ear and stroke their head or hands. Give pain killers but (and I'm speaking from experience as I've had many an ear infection myself) they really don't do much. It is the most awful pain as you cannot ease it or sleep easily. The pain is only eased when antibiotics start to work or the ear drum bursts (Had that happen too and then you cannot
hear very well but the pain goes). Sorry to sound negative but there's not much you can do I'm affraid but just be there and be sympathetic."
Katie, 9 months old:
"My 9 month old baby has an ear infection at the moment. He was pulling it for a couple of days and at first i thought that it was due to him teething. Yesterday he woke up with a really sticky ear and has now been given antibiotics. I find that it helps to settle him when he lays on his side with the infected ear towards his mattress. It helps to drain away any mucas and he seems to sleep for longer. When he seems to be in pain i find that gently wiping around his ear with cotton wool and cool water seems to help soothe it."
- Ear infections are usually caused by the common cold, but may also be triggered by childhood illnesses such as measles.
- Toothache can also lead to ear pain.
- If the mucus from an ear infection does not clear properly, it can cause glue ear, a build-up of sticky fluid inside the ear.
- Source: NHS Direct
