6 Month Old with 3Rd Ear Infection

My 4 yr old started getting ear infections when he started daycare at 2yrs old. We battle them for a year and through several types of anitbiotics before we finally saw an ENT, who of course recommended tubes. At the time we saw the ENT my son did not have an ear infection but had fluid on his ear. The ENT said that over time the fluid from the ear infections builds up and eventually stops draining completely the only way to drain the ear totally was tubes. Eventaully this fluid buildup can cause hearing damage and of course speech delay. We avoided any permanent damage thank goodness. Just after his 3rd birthday we had the tubes put in (an extremely simple procedure done at an outpatient clinic). He is now 4 1/2 and hasn't had an ear infection since. It is possible to get infections even with tubes but the fluid drains out of the ear, you'll see the fluid coming out of the ear. This way the risk of damage is removed and there is very little or no pain for the child.

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I am sorry your poor baby is getting ear infections. Unfortunately, my son (now 3 years old) has been prone to ear infections from birth. It seemed like the poor child was on antibiotics for the first six months of his life, which bothered me immensely because I don't think that is healthy, either. Anyway, on more than one occasion, we had to step up to a stronger antibiotic after the first round did not work. I remember one particularly bad one that required shots of rocephin. I think that is most likely wat happened to your little guy, he simply needed a stronger antibiotic.

I had to write to you also because it is a common misconception that immersing the baby's head in water will give him an ear infection. That is not the case. Inner ear infections are caused by improper draining of the eustacian tube. Babies and small children are especially vulnerable because their anatomy is so small and has not matured to the point where the ears can drain effectively. Fluid builds up behind the ear drum and becomes infected, from drainage from the nose and throat, not from outside the ear. The doctor can see the infection as bulging and/or redness in the ear drum. The ears are a closed system unless your baby's ear drum has burst from pressure of the infection, which you would probably notice because there would be drainage in his ear. Since it is a closed system, water cannot enter the ear from the outside. When you get an ear infection on the outside of the ear from water, it is commonly known as swimmer's ear and that is very different from what your son has. I am surprised that your doctor did not go over this with you or at least give you something to read about it. Here is a good article explaining it from Dr. Sears: http://www.askdrsears.com/html/8/t081600.asp

I have read other people's responses regarding hearing loss and speech delays. Since ear infections most often follow a cold and we are approaching cold/flu season, it is likely that your precious baby will have another ear infection. If he has frequent ear infections, please keep a close eye on his speech development. Luckily, my son did not have a problem despite repeated infections. I eventually took him to an ENT and had his hearing tested, just to make sure. He had mild hearing loss and so we had tubes put in when he was about 18 months old. He still gets one or two ear infections every winter but now I don't have to worry that the infection is blocking his ability to hear.

Good luck to you, and I hope the novel I've written helps! :)

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My son just ran through 8 ear infections in 6 mos. I would say that the amoxycillin didn't do the trick, and its probably the same ear infection resurfacing. These bacterial ear infections are a beast to conquer and antibiotics don't always work (take it from me!). Your coworker is telling you some kind of old wives tale, I think.

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At 6 months old my oldest son started getting ear infections. By the time he was 9 months old he had about 8 ear infections. And I don't believe water was the source because we bought ear plugs and washed his hair with ear plugs in his ears and he still got infections. I will tell you that I got so tired of taking him to the Pediatrician that I told them if they didn't refer him to a ENT I would find another Pediatrician because the antibiotics weren't working. I was missing work and not only that but no child that small should have to suffer because they don't want to do their job. I've read that about 60-70% of all pediatrician visits are due to ear infections and that is why they don't refer out - it's a money gimmick. I would not allow them to continue to treat him with antibiotics without being referred to an ENT. The ENT may not do anything any different than the pediatrician at first but they won't let it carry on forever - they will try antibiotics (stronger) no more than 2 times before they will recommend tubes for most babies. Keep on top of this and don't let your pediatrician continue without getting a referral.

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My daughter had continuous ear infections when she was little. At 18 months old we gave in and had ear tubes put in. I was disappointed because she still continued to have ear infections, one tube fell out quickly, and the ENT wanted to put in another tube and take out her adenoids.

So I stumbled onto the book Spontaneous Healing by Dr. Andrew Weil. He said to cut way back on dairy, which we did, and have cranial osteopathy done. Cranial Osteopathy is performed by some doctors who are D.O.s who have gotten the extra training to perform this very mild manipulative technique. It worked for my daughter and she has not had an ear infection since. This was when we lived in Oklahoma.

www.cranialacademy.org talks about this technique and provides a list of practitioners, but I don't think there are any in the Raleigh/Durham area. Another alternative is craniosacral practitioners, which is a very similar technique. You can find a practitioner through this webpage http://www.iahp.com/pages/search/index.php

I almost forgot to mention the Cold Socks treatment which works great! Go here http://www.liferesearchuniversal.com/ear.html and scroll down.

Good luck!

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I can't believe your co-worker told you that...I'm not sure if that's an old wives tale or what. Water cannot pass through the ear drum, so water cannot get into the middle ear. If your son has middle ear infections, which is what I'm guessing he has, there is no way that bathing can cause ear infections. My son has tubes in his ears, and we do not put anything to block the water when we bathe him or wash his hair. Our ENT said that all of the new studies suggest that even with tubes, that keeping water out of the ear while bathing is not necessary! Now, if your son is getting outer ear infections, I could see how bath water might irritate the ear, but still not cause the infection.

Anyway, my son had 8 ear infections between 4 to 10 months old. Many times when my son had ear infections, his eyes would get that goopy stuff in his eyes that would matte them shut too!! We went through more antibiotics than I can tell you, even the shots. We did the yogurt to pump up good bacteria, we did chiropractic adjustments...if someone had an opinion, we at least gave it a try. Nothing worked until we got the tubes put in...that was the absolute BEST thing we ever did for him. Very simple procedure with an excellent outcome!

Some people think that tubes are a lot of work. But, like I was saying, our ENT stressed that unless we are going to have him underwater in a lake or public swimming pool, there is no need to plug the ears...not even for bathing. And there's no way my 16 month old is gonna be underwater, so we don't even think about the tubes. He got them when he was 10 months old, he had one ear infection right after the surgery. We did one round of antiobiotic drops in the ear, but no infections since then. So much better than having a baby who is constantly on oral antibiotics, with an upset tummy, yeast infection on their bottom from loose stools, and won't eat. As you can probably tell, I can't say enough good things about tubes!!

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Washing his hair and getting water in his ears would NOT have caused a double ear infection. The only way water would get into the middle ear space is IF there was a pe tube or a perforation in the eardrum....and even then, a little water would likely not be a problem. Just make sure you give alll the medicine...and my advice, is , if he has more than four ear infections....and this would be considered the second...you need to see a pediatric ENT.

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Washing your child had nothing to do with the ear or eye infection!! The ear infection was not cleared up by the Amoxicillin and needed a second choice antibiotic (different kind or stronger) so it never cleared up and festered. You did nothing wrong! In my experience my children needed a eye drop or ointment antiobiotic on top of the oral antibiotic for the ear. The oral should or could clear up both the ear and eye infection but my children were not so fortunate. Giving your son a bath was probably very soothing to him, which mommies do best!

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We keep Swimmers Ear around for such things as this. If you don't want to buy that, you can use rubbing alcohol, just a few drops in the ear after bathing. Of course, with an ear infection, that is liable to be painful. BUT when his ears are clear, I would just drop some of the Swimmers Ear in there & it usually drains back out, but it takes out the water. You can find it anywhere, in the pharmacy area, it's over the counter drops.

Hello S.,
I see that your child also attends a daycare facility. Children that go to daycare's generally get a lot more infections, whether it be ear, respiratory or whatever. Your child is not only exposed to the germs of the other children at the daycare but also to all of the germs from all of those childrens family members.
Pediatrician's will tell you if your child attends day care then plan on being in the doctors office a lot more frequently than normal.
Best of Luck with your new baby, they are precious and full of joy and wonderful memories.

M. Street RN
Own Your Own Home Candle Biz.
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my daughter had very sensitive ears also. i had to be super carful washing her hair. (put a rag over her ears) i would ask the doc when is the soonest you can do tubes good luck

I have 3 children that have all had multiple ear infections and now have or have had tubes. Getting bath water in the ear most likely did not cause an infection,especially since your child's eardrum is still intact. Some kids are more prone to ear infections with any upper respiratory infection that they contract. Looks like you'll be heading to the ENT for tubes.

My son went through a phase with ear infections too and I thought it would never end, several antibiotics, and then tubes .... which was the answer!!!

The tubes fell out a few years later, and everything is terrific.

I don't think water in the ears is the problem, although I have heard that letting a baby lay in bed and drink from a bottle is a problem because

No. my ped. told me with my first child that the old wster in the ear won't cause an ear infection. She had ear infectionf for her first 2 years of her life! When he suggested tubes, we went and got her checked and was going to get them but her infection was clearing up! FINALLY. Hasn't has one since. But like the other mom's the first dose of Amoxicillin may not be clearing it up. After the 10 days go back for a check up and see. Good Luck. Hang In there!

V. (SAHM Of Two)

www.CraftLister.Com/ValerieAltman
(Unique Candle Creator)

www.ValerieEssentials.esty.com

My son went through the same thing. His was caused by a combination of allergies and curved drainage tubes in his inner ear.(His tubes eventually straightened as he grew and his ear infections stopped once they were able to drain properly.) When his sinus drainage was triggered by an allergic reaction and started running, the fluid would build up in his ear and cause another ear infection. It became such a problem that his poor ear drums ruptured a couple of times without even a hint of an ear infection just hours before. He was in a lot of pain with this. His doctor eventually put him on a stronger antibiotic and we did our best to figure out what was triggering his allergies. When he was old enough we gave him benedryl at the first sign of allergic reactions. That did wonders!
From what I was told, bath water won't necessarily cause an ear infection, but it can irritate one that hasn't cleared up. Bath water can cause a lot of pain to sensitive ears.
You can get a wax from your pharmacy that is made for plugging the ear when bathing or swimming. It's not expensive and easy to use.
It's frustrating to see them hurting. I hope this helps out. Good luck with your little one.
L. C.

my daughter did not get over her ear infection with amoxicillin. we had to use a different antibiotic. amoxicillin may not be strong enough to knock it out..that may be the problem?

My daughter got her first ear infection when she was 4 months old. I asked the ENT if her bath / washing hair and getting water in her ears could be the cause. He told me no. Hope that helps some! :)

I have a 10 year old daughter and we battled ear infections as well as strep when she was younger (actually up to just 2 or so years ago). As many ear infections and such that we went through I have never had any Dr. make comments on water or bath time in the ears. I can see where it may be an issue if the child had tubes and of course if water got into the ears while they are infected, due to it being potentially painful. The problem that we ended up having was because of just how her little body is made (chemistry) AND primarily based on the fact that we had gone through amox. so many times her body was just "used" to it basically. After several years of having to "re-visit" the Dr. I was like "look Doc...isnt there anything we can do about this?". It was not until I questioned him (keep in mind he is a GREAT Dr. too) that he stated "well, we can always go the shot route". Sure enough as soon as we started doing shots she IMMEDIATELY began feeling better, no yucky medicine to take (no extra expense for presc., no worrying if the medicine got all the way in when she would spit it out, etc.. OF COURSE the only downside, obviously, is the fact that its a "shot". As she got older I was the bad guy when she realized I was the one authorizing a shot rather than a prescription! :-(
If you continue to have the problem you may want to ask your Dr. his/her opinion on it. I hope it gets better and that you get some sleep! I certainly remember those days!!! :-(

S.,
After reading some of the responses, no one said anything about what might be the real reason for the continous ear infections. Having your child in daycare is probably the reason. I used to work in a daycare and only worked with infants to one year olds. The babies had ear infections all the time, no matter how much we cleaned the toys, blankets, beds with bleach water, the germs were still there. I don't know if you can afford it but a nanny is a possible answer. I quit working in a daycare, I will never work in a daycare again and I will never put my child in one. My son was prone to ear infections and then I started staying home and he hasn't had one in a very long time. I know that alot of mothers can't afford to stay home, but in the long run, all the missed work, Dr. visits, and not to mention pain and suffering to the child, it may be worth it. I hope it gets better, good luck, V.

Hi S.,

So sorry to read about your child's ear infections. My younger son had that problem too, and we ended up getting ear tubes when he was two years old. They were a gift from heaven, I can tell you. We had custom ear plugs made at that time because with tubes, you must not get any water in the ear, at all. However, I have never heard what your coworker said about water in the ear of a child without ear tubes causing infections.

Sometimes the eustachian tube is just so narrow that infections are really hard to beat. All babies' eustachian tubes are straight until the child grows big enough for the tubes to become angled, which helps stop the infections. Could be that your little one has really narrow tubes. As hard as it sounds, ear tubes can be very helpful and do make all the difference with many children. If you go that route, ask lots of questions, get a good ENT doctor, and make sure that you use the ear plugs EVERY time your child is in water, even just a bath.

Another thing to mention is that baby should never be laying flat with a bottle of formula - always keep them propped up. Laying flat can let the formula into the eustachian tubes, and here comes another infection! And never ever put anything in your baby's ears, including an OTC product, without talking to your doctor first. Those OTC products are not necessarily for babies as young as yours.

Good luck, and all my best,
D.

I am VERY careful when I wash my daughter's hair because of the fear of ear aches. She's never had one so I guess I'm doing the right thing. And it's like my daughter worries because she covers her ears when I'm rinsing her hair. I lay her back and pour the water slowly over her hair as to not get any in her ears. Good luck!!

I have three children age range 8 to 16 and two of them had a hard time with ear infections. More than likely the culprit is a poor draining Eustacian(sp?) tube. Your little one probably just never got the first infection totally cleared up. Most children outgrow this condition. Raising the head of the bed can help. Ask your pediatrician about the need for tubes to help drain the fluid. I cringed at this with my first child, but had them for my second. She had less ear infections and quicker relief. Usually, tubes aren't recommended unless it seems to be a chronic or constantly reoccuring infection. Follow your instincts on your doctor's advice.

Make sure he's drinking his bottle sitting straight up. The ear canal in baby's and small children are not shaped the way adult ear canals are. There is a straight shot from their mouth to their ears. Often baby's who drink laying down get more ear infections because of that. I don't know if he's too young for ear plugs or not, but I know they make ear plugs for swimmers. Hope things get better.

make sure he isn't drinking his bottle while laying down, prop him up on a pillow if you lay him down - if you're holding him make sure you position him so that he is slightly elevated. If he's laying down the milk will pool in his ear & cause an infection. We learned the hard way & haven't had any issues since. Also, make sure the daycare does the same - send a pillow with him to school.

Hi S.. I'm sorry to hear about your sons ear infections, I know they can be frustrating for you and painful for him. My daughter also went through a phase at that age where she got multiple ear infections that didn't seem to completely clear with antibiotics, especially amoxicillin. It went on for months. Don't worry about the baths though, at worst they may have aggrevated the earache a bit but didn't cause it. I would try not to submerge his ears if you can help it, and try to avoid getting too much water in there at bath time, but the small amount you're talking about is unavoidable in a kid that age and isn't the cause of his problem. Some kids are just prone to ear infections and will keep getting them unfortunately. Your doctor may eventually talk about tubes if the problem gets to that point, but for now just keep doing what you're doing and good luck.

My grandmother always said that bathing a baby and getting water in his/her ear didnt cause earaches. I had terrible earaches as an infant. Amoxicillin doesnt even touch it, my oldest son is the same way. He had earaches until they put him on Zithromax for 5 days (2 times a day) it cleared right up. However,he did get a little diarhea the 3 and 4th day but nothing that pedialyte didnt help. Since he had so many ear aches, he had his tonsils and adenoids taken out at 3 yrs old and he hasnt had one ear infection since. Your baby is too young for that, but dont accept amoxicillin as a cure for them it never works. Having tubes didnt work for me as a child, but every child is different. If your pediatrician thinks it is the bath water causing the problem maybe try holding a dry washcloth over his ears when rinsing and maybe put cotton in them with vaseline on it before washing his hair. Thats what i had done to me.I didnt like it but I didnt like earaches either...
Good luck.

S.,

Have you seen the book Prescription for Natural Healing? There are some great things in the book that you can try in addition to seeking your pediatrician. One of the things mentioned is colloidal silver which is a natural antibiodic. If you have not heard of this before, you may want to research it and see if it is something you may find helpful.

I hope you are able to find a way to help your son get well.

T.

I thought I would mention two things. One, the doctor can culture the ear when it is infected to see what is the appropriate antibiotic to give. Two, we had recurrent ear infections and it turned out to be a yeast infection and the antibiotics were perpetuating it. You might think about these and see if either one would be worth pursuing in your situation. God's Blessings, hope you get it stopped soon!

I have had 5 children and never heard that washing their hair would give them an ear infection. My children did not do well with amoxicillin. WHenever they were given that, we always had a repeat infection. My adult children occasionally get ear infections now and amoxicillin still does not clear it up. If you baby is bottled fed, you might want to make sure he isn't laying flat when he drinks his bottle, that can be an issue. Keeping the airways between the nose clear is a big factor. I used Ocean SPray saline solution (and still do) when my children had stuffy noses. The ear and nose canals are all connected. Good luck.

You don't get inner ear infections from water in the ears...only outer infections. My son had his first ear infection at 6 weeks and eventually got tubes at 8 months. At that point, we had custom ear molds made to keep the water out since tubes are basically a hole into the head and brain.