Ear Infection or Teething?

As far as I know they can't localize pain yet at the age of 11 months. The only way to know if it is an ear infection is to take her to the doctor or see if she has any kind of yellow fluid leaking out of her ear. My guess is teething as my daughter did the same thing when she was getting all of her teeth. She would tug at her ear, which the doctor said was normal as they confuse the gum pain for ear pain. Another parent told me that they had better luck with Children's Motrin for teething because it is an anti-inflammatory. Tylenol never seemed to do anything for my little girl. I only gave it to her at bedtime and even though the first few nights she woke up once or twice, the next two were usually nowhere near as bad and once she fell asleep she didn't wake at all. Hopefully this is helpful.

Oh and they told me NOT to use Orajel because it numbs their gag reflex and can cause them to choke.

Take her to the doc. Sounds like an ear infection, and they can be very painful. Some will say to let her body fight the infection on its own, but the eardrum can rupture and you want to avoid that if possible.

I would have a Dr. check her ears. An ear infection requires antibiotics.

My daughter rarely had any teething pain. She only had one ear infection, but we suspected because of her waking up crying multiple times.

Take her to the doctor today and have him look in her ears. I believe there is an immunization for the bacteria associated with ear infections-ask pediatrician about that. Always consult with a physician before treating a baby.

Because she hasn't shown this much discomfort with teething before I'd tend to suspect an ear infection especially if she has a fever. I'd call the advice nurse.

If she's touching or pulling on her ear -- I'm betting it's an ear infection. My son got them a lot and for him, nothing worked but antibiotics. I would see the signs and take him to the doctor immediately (because as you can remember, it is sooo painful). Also, if she develops a low-grade fever that doesn't want to budge -- also a sign of an ear infection. As for both ear infection and teething pain -- kiddie motrin helps to take the edge off -- esp. at night to help them sleep. Also motrin will reduce some of the swelling in the inner ear and allow it to drain a bit. If it's run of the mill teething pain during the day, getting those teething rings and putting them in the refrigerator before you give them to her can give some relief as well.

As a mother to a child with chronic ear infections (she got tubes in her ears at 11 months), it sounds like an ear infection. Many children get them while teething.

If she is pulling on her ears they say that is a tell tale sign of ear infection (although my daughter never did).

Good luck. Tylenol will help. Sweet oil I have heard helps too, but never used it.

You can give her infant Tylenol or Motrin (ibuprofen) for now to help her feel more comfortable, then call your prediatrician for an appointment. I thought my daughter had an ear infection recently - she kept grabbing her left ear and crying that it hurt. Took her to the doctor and it turned out to really be her throat (no strep - just red and sore). Just goes to show that you probably need to have her examined to know for sure.

It's probably just teething pain. I opted to see the doc because I was so concerned it was an ear infection when this happened to my fella (especially since he had just had a bad cold), but alas, it was just teething pain. Later, another doc told us that the tooth nerves run right up to the ears - so babies will often pull at their ears when they are teething.

sounds like an ear infection tylenol should kickboth and give teething tablets

Updated

sounds like an ear infection tylenol should kickboth and give teething tablets

With the 3 of mine, ear infections ran right with teething. I'd take her to the dr and have her looked at.

My experience has been that fluid in their ears will cause them to not want to lay down, and cause anything from fussy to inconsolable. Teething can cause fussiness and trouble with sleeping, and usually there's lots of drooling and/or clear runny nose. I've also noticed that kid's often get sick when they are teething, probably due to lowered immune system.

I'd definitely take her to the Dr and have her ears looked at. It's often much better to catch it early (vs waiting to see if it resolves) and many Dr's now will give the option of waiting to see if it resolves on it's own or giving antibiotic. But ear infections can make everyone miserable in no time... doesn't hurt to get it checked.

I vote check for an ear infection. Last week my little guy had a litlle fussiness at night and a slight fever (only symptoms so I assumed it was teething) and it turns out that his ear infection was so bad that it punctured his eardrum!!!! The only reason I was clued in was that it suddenly dripped pus down the side of his face. I felt HORRIBLE!