Mom Seeking Help for Infant Ear Infection

T.,

You might also want to look into why your little one is developing ear infections so frequently.

My son, who is 6 now, had multiple ear infections before he was a year old. It turns out he has food intolerances to:
dairy, soy, wheat, corn, oats, eggs, and yeast.

Most of these ingredients are in some sort of formula and in many processed foods. Once we figured out what his body cannot tolerate and eliminated those from his diet he has not had a single ear infection.

One last suggestion, look into chiropractic care for your little one if you insurance will cover it.

Good luck!

-C..

1 mom found this helpful

I bought the ear check monitor a couple years ago because my daughter has several ear infections...and I love it !

Now when she complains about an ear or has a fever i can check if her ears are fine or if I need to go and see the pediatrician right away. I also can check if the fluid in the ear is actually clearing up before going back (2 weeks after the antibiotics prescription) for a check at the pediatrician's office.

As for preventing an infection, the first thing is to massage (a few times a day) the little protruding bone behind the ear each time there is a cold coming up or your daughter complains about her ear.
The second one would be to see an osteopath : he would be able to check out if the skull bones are properly positionned and help out with that.
I went to see an osteopath when my daughter had lots of fluid stuck in her ear after an infection. The pediatrician was already talking about tubes because the fluid wasn't draining after 2 months... We saw the osteopath, he massaged her gently...2 days later at the pediatrician's office there was no fluid anymore !!!! Never had to see an ENT after that !

Hope this helps

1 mom found this helpful

Hi T.
Some people use garlic oil in the ear to help prevent infections. I soaked mullein flowers in olive oil for a month, strained it, poured into a 1oz dropper bottle, and added 3 drops tee tree oil and 3 drops grapefruit seed extract. I use it to clear our ears, it even works for the cat and ear mites. You could find something like that at the health food store.
Hope you find something that works for you, A. H

1 mom found this helpful

Be careful when bathing your child. You may be getting water in the ear canals that is sitting behihd the eardrum, which really, really hurts. Other than that, just talk to your doctor.

Hi T.,
I haven't read any of the other posts from moms, so I apologize if any of this has already been said. I am an audiologist (I test kids and adults ears, among many MANY other things). I also have a 15 month old who has had a lot of ear infections. Here's my experience. First, the EarCheck is often not accurate. If you don't get a seal, if you have ANY error what so ever, you get an inaccurate reading. Also, your kiddo may have fluid in the ear, but it's not INFECTED...thus there's no ear infection. You can get a lot of false positives with it. Th biggest thing I've seen with my kiddo and the many, many kiddos I see throughout the day is that the fever along with the horrible sleeping at night and sometimes (and this drives me crazy, because MOST kids don't do this) ear tugging. OR...I've tried to touch my daughter's ear when it's really bad and she winces or pulls away. Ear infections can also pop up over night. They go to bed fine and the next morning they're a mess. Also, I tell my patients this, and I have lived by it with my daughter (she has had about 9 infections in 15 months, 3 times we have treated with antibiotics). In Europe, they don't treat ear infections with antibiotics. Most infections will clear up on their own. Over medicating a child with antibiotics for ear infections can be a very negative thing too (they build up resistance, and often times it goes away on it's own anyway). Infections that last more than 3 or 4 days, then you need to see a doctor for sure. This is just my opinion, from my experience both as a mom and professionally.
Okay, I know I ramble, but this is near and dear to my heart! Prevention? No bottles right before bed! Kids have flat straight eustacian tubes. Sometimes that milk can get up there and pool. You DO NOT want old milk sitting in their eustacian tube over night. It's asking for infection! Also, I have heard some mom's who have switched to soy milk. One of the ENT's I work with reminded me the other day that it's not natural to drink bovine lactation (when she put it that way, it sounded pretty gross). We still drink milk, but I know that's a suggestion that some doctor's give.
Warm washclothes on your kiddos face can also help when their ears are hurting. I hope this helps, feel free to e-mail me if you ever have questions. I hope I didn't confuse or ramble too much!

I don't know anything about the monitor but one cause of ear infections is that if he is still sucking on a bottle, try to wean him away from that.

Thanks,
T.

T.---My daughter also suffered from recurrent ear infections. She would even have them as a college student. She had many allergies, which contributed to fluid build-up. So I don't know anything about a monitor, but I do know a little about prevention. Wish I'd known when my kids were little.

I am taking classes to be a certified Wellness Educator. One of the most profound things I've learned is how horrible our immune systems are these days. So we need to look at our diets, for allergies, for fighting bacteria and viruses, for fighting cancers before they become organized in our body. The best way to do that is to eat a diet rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains and legumes. We need to eat AT LEAST 7 to 13 servings of fruits and veggies every day. We also need to stop behaviors that challenge the immune system. Avoid or reduce dairy, animal products, processed foods and sugar. All are a detriment to our health. A diet rich in the first list of foods will both balance (allergies) and build (defense) our immune systems.

Contact me for more information, especially if you'd like to know of a convenient way to add more fruits and veggies to your diet. A product call Juice Plus+ has original research that shows immune function improvement, it helps the body to protect and repair DNA and has cardio protective benefits as well. AND, it's just fruits and veggies.

I look forward to hearing from you. In health, D.
###-###-#### www.dianeshealthed.com

Hello T.,
My oldest daughter had frequent ear infections when she was an infant. I found myself in a chiroprator's office for a free consult. I did not tell the chiroprator (I didn't tell them at this time because I was not in there for that reason, I would suggest you mention it though) and was amazed when she asked if she got a lot of ear infections and could tell me which ear most of them where in, which all of this was correct. For us after going to appointments for about one month or so there were no more ear infections! She had them bad enough that we were scheduled for tubes and I canceled the appointment. She is now 9 and has not had one since she was 21/2. We all go to the chiropractor now and have for the last 7 yrs. After my son was born he was ajusted right after and has never had an ear infection.
Another suggestion is we use Homeopathic (all natural and safe). I have friends who has used tea-tree oil, garlic oil, or mullen oil. For the tea-tree oil you put a few drops in warm olive oil then put the drops in the child's ear. For the Garlic oil you peels the garlic and add it to warm olive oil. If you make extra you can store it in an air tight glass container (mason jar), and store in a cool dry place for a week.
Echinacea and elderberry are both immune boosters but I honestly don't know at what age they are safe to give to children. Either of these should not be used excessively and not for a long time! Please check more into them before you use them. I do use them with my children if they were exposed to someone who was sick or when they first show signs of coming down with something. My children are older though 5 and 9.
I read what Melissa C wrote and I agree with alot that she said. Most ear infections can clear up on their own and over antibiotics can be a very negative thing. This is just my opinion.
These are only suggestions and I hope that something helps.

T.;

My son suffered ear infections often for his first year, we did the tubes (which I regret as I never knew as much about Alternative/ Natural care as I do now.).

I am not sure how accurate this monitor is, I feel it just would make me ensure my son would have an infection (you know~ self fulfilling prophecy, like when I say "I just know I will end up sick!" without thinking.)

For my son, even after tubes, he still developed ear infections... I now give homeopathic remedies when a cold begins (as this is hand-in-hand for his patterns due to drainage.). I also work on his feet (I practice bodywork, so this is a bonus for the family's health and wellness!) and nothing has kept us out of the doctor's office Better since I started in Alternative Care! He loves it, as it bonds us and he can 'wind down' after his busy days. (Works great when he is excessively cranky or going through 'growing pains', too.)

I am not sure what your daughter's pattern is, but I am happy to help with my information (for homeopathic remedies - totally safe!) or any other questions you have.

I recall the nights of screaming pain from my son, so I truly understand what you are trying to prevent! (Not fun for any of you!)

Best of luck in whatever you find that works!