ear infections questions

DS is 14 months and currently has double ear infections.
He had dbl ear infections in march and again in April. He also had one in January.

Is this alot? My twins never really had them. Does it get better as they get older?

Anything I can do to prevent them? I hate that he keeps going on antibiotics.

ear infections questions

Have you brought him to an ENT or just your pediatrician? If you haven't yet brought him to an ENT I would. Chronic ear infections aren't good. It may require him to get tubes in his ears.

Re: ear infections questions

ear infections questions

They have a definition of chronic---I think 6 in a 6 month period, but as a parent you have the right to ask for a referral. My DS had 5 in 6 months however at 2 week rechecks he often wasn't clear.

Took him to ENT (we used Dr. Block at Garden City ENT---highly recommend) and after hearing test and consult they recommended tubes. He had them placed at 10 months. Did great and haven't had an infection since!

Re: ear infections questions

go to an ent. We waited until we finally couldn't wait anymore. we thought our ped would send us when it was too many, and they didn't... it can't hurt to have a ent's opinion. they specialize in that

Re: ear infections questions

ear infections questions

I'm not sure if you would be open to this, and please do check with your ped but if he has a nasal drip (clear runny nose) prior to getting the ear infection try to give him some benadryl to dry it up. When it is early, one or two doses should dry it up right away and might not turn into an ear infection. Please do speak with your ped about benadryl under two though.. different docs have different takes on it. Hope he feels better.

Re: ear infections questions

DS1 got them all winter long, but they did clear up each time. Ped never suggested it. He was in daycare and more prone to getting them. After 2 he stopped getting them. DS2 I don't think ever got an ear infection and he will be 3 soon.

ear infections questions

DS had 6 in 3 months- After the third I went to the ENT on my own. He ended up with tubes at 10.5 months as he had persistent fluid that was affected his hearing. We used Dr. Gordon and love him!!

Re: ear infections questions

Thanks everyone for the info
I think I am going to look into some natural remedies as well. I was just doing some reading.
I had to bring my 3 year old ds in today because he was screaming in pain because of an ear infection.
I talk to ped and we will talk more in 2 weeks when they both go for a follow up.

ear infections questions

I was recently at the chiropractor and there were many children there for ear infections. When my dd had her first (and only) double ear infection the ped rx antibiotics and it slowly cleared up over a week and a half. However I always think it can't hurt to look into.

Re: ear infections questions

Re: ear infections questions

Def take her to a chiropractor. Lots of medical doctors prescribe antibiotics and then push tubes in the ears. Why not treat it naturally? We love our chiropractor! She sees our whole family. She specializes in maternity and pediatrics. I saw her my whole pregnancy and now I take my DD. Lots of parents take their kids to her for ear infections and lots of other things. If you want her info, FM me.

ear infections questions

I tried Wally's ear oil...garlic/oil drops. I considered the chiropractor but honestly, the adjustment part just scares me. The biggest thing about my son was that his ear was anatomically unable to drain fluid. I would ask about fluid in the ear.

ear infections questions

ENT all the way.
I pushed my ped and by the time I got into the ENT it was a no brainer. Tubes were the BEST thing ever. No more antibiotics and as her ear drum heals it pushes out the tube naturally (without pain) so its not permanent. Their ear tubes just aren't properly developed yet and that infected fluid can cause serious damage to their hearing.

I don't see tubes as an 'unnatural' solution but as close to as assisted natural as you can get. You give their body time to develop naturally while also preventing a build up of immunity to antibiotic, clear their hearing and help their health.

Infection is behind the ear drum (unless it bursts - doesn't that sound lovely) which is why they need oral antibiotics in their system. She got only one ear infection after the tubes (literally had when we went to surgery) and because of the tubes she only needed antibiotic drops which are much less evasive than oral, in my opinion as it goes directly to the site of the infection.

I never understood the other solutions since all it did was mask symptoms but not treat the infected fluid behind the drum. AJ never really had much pain or fever with her infections. She had hearing loss. She'd go in for check ups, fine as rain and have a RAGING double ear infection with extended drums. Yes some ear infections can heal themselves but as many as you're having.. .Yes I'd go straight to an ENT.

Re: ear infections questions

Re: ear infections questions

We had great success with the Hylands Ear Infection Medicine. Also warm garlic near the ear was a g-d send.

Re: ear infections questions

Thats quite a few in a short time span. I am surporised the ped. didnt refer you to an ENT yet. My 8 yr old has had 3 sets of tubes and her adenoids removed so I am a vet in this dept. If you have any ques, feel free to PM me. I would definately suggest seeing an ent for a consult though. Sometimes they will just talk/look and tell you to come back in X amount of months if DC has anymore ear infections.

Re: ear infections questions