Six Month Old with Ear Problems

My son had his first set of tubes at 8 months. He kept getting ear infections so we saw a new ENT and went for a second set of tubes at 14 months. He also had his adenoids removed at the same time. That was about a year ago and he has had 1 ear infection since then. It was like having a brand new child. We see Dr. Phillips at Greenville ENT and he is INCREDIBLE! Don't wait any longer & good luck.

I definitely would see an ENT as soon as possible. I am very surprised that your pediatrician hasn't referred your daughter already, given the fact of 4 ear infections combined with her father's history. If your insurance provider doesn't require a referral to a specialist from your primary care doctor, I would call and make a new patient appointment yourself. My son's ENT is CENTA. I recommend them if you're in the Columbia area. Just in case you want their number it is ###-###-####.

My little boy started to get multiple ear infections at 4mo, when he started daycare. After the 4rth on in 4 months, anibiotics and 2 hospitalizations for dehydration(he wouldnt eat w/ fever and pain, and diarrhea from antibiotics) i finally took him to ent. Honestly, the only difference they did was to see if the ear infections had caused any hearing damage and then started him on nasal spray and sudal (to decrease nasal mucous that travel towards the ear and caused his immune system to be busy with the nose, not able to fight off ear infection....that is how they explained it to me.

Good luck,,,fyi, i felt better for taking him to the ent although after his intitial visit it didn;t seem to be much different then taking him to our family physician.

L. c

Ear infections are so common in children because of their development that they do tend to get them a lot. There can be so many different reasons for an ear infection, such as sinus problems, or fluid in the ear. I would take them to your physician and ask them for a referral to be safe. Your doctor may try something different. Your husband having tubes in his ears all those times probably has you more cautious about your situation and that is smart of you! I would definitely talk to your doctor when you go for a follow up and see what they say. They may get better over time, but your poor baby is suffering mean while. I hope this helps!
E.

Dairy consumptions is associated with ear infections. If you are breastfeeding, but all traces of dairy out of your diet. If your daughter is on formula, try switching to a dairy free formula.

I would talk it over with her DR and see what he thinks. And let him know there is a history with her father having cronic ear infections as a child. In the mean time, make sure you keeping her elevated when she is drinking from a bottle and maybe keep her that way for 15 mins or so after she is done unless she wants down to play. The reason is the liquid can drain backwards and get in her sinuses (starting at the nose and work it's way up into the ears).

Good luck to you and I hope you get it figured out soon!
S.

My son was on 10 antibiotics the first year of his life due to ear infections. The next step was tubes, which worked well for my husband. However, I did not feel comfortable with this step. Instead I called a chiropractor that had been referred to me. He had experience with children including his own. We were only charged our regular co pay and I believe in miracles! If I had not seen it with my own eyes I would not believe it. The whole time he was gently adjusted by the chiropractor he did not have an ear infection again! The first month he went every week. Then it was spaced out to once a month. It really helped and I would definitely recommend a chiropractor with previous infant experience. Dr. Foster in Clemmons, NC is who helped our son. I hope this helps, A.

My son also had a long history of ear infections. His pediatrician sent him to an ENT after his 5th one. Usually ENT's want to see a history of 6 but will see before. I took my son to Dr. Robert Jordan in Summerville- ###-###-####. My son had 3 sets of tubes and finally had his tonsils and adnoids taken out at 18 months. It has done wonders for him. He lost 8 % of his earing in his left ear over the course of all his infections but he is doing great now. I would give them a call and see if they require a referral or ask your pediatrician if they would refer you to one so that you can get this taken care of.

Hi H.,

It never hurts to get a second opinion. If you'd feel more comfortable seeing and ENT, go for it. They may say exactly the same thing as you pediatrician, but you will know for sure. Allergies coould be contributing to the number of ear infections, too.

This is not something to put off any longer!!! My son was the same way, and ended up he didn't walk until 17 months, talk until he was almost 4. It was because he couldn't hear and had vertigo! My pediatrician was a real jerk and kept blaming the problems on who my child's father was. (I went to school with his son, and grew up in the office.) Finally, after a lot of fighting he sent me to Dr. Prussin(Blacksburg, VA) and he was great and put in two sets of tubes. Everything got much better. Don't take no for an answer. Have this checked out! Good luck!

Hey there.

My son had his first ear infection at 3 months also. They wouldn't put tubes in his ears until he was one. He still gets ear infections even with the tubes in but just not as often. So yes I would say that you need to seek an ENT for your daughter because they can cause speech delay. And speech problems. I"m new to the area and my son has an appointment on Wednesday at Charleston ENT in Goose Creek. I will let you know what I think of them. Hope this helps.

HI H., I am a mom of an 8 month old girl and also a speech therapist. I'd suggest you follow your gut on this one, usually Dr's say after 4-6 ear infections in one year it is time to see an ENT. Especially with the family history. Are you in the Raleigh area? I have heard only wonderful things about Capitol ENT doctors, their website is www.capitolENT.net Hope this is helpful!
C.

I would highly recommend going to one asap. My oldest son is now 13 and he had numerous ear infections one after another. He got one so bad when he was 1 years old that the doctors couldnt get rid of the ear infection which caused my son to get menangitis. He was hospitalized for over a month. I have taken him to several doctors affilitated with my pediatrician to see if he needed tubes. They all said his hearing was fine. Which to me and his teachers it didnt seem like he could hear well. He also developed as he got older where he breathed real loud through his mouth. Recently I brought him to a ENT in another city and that doctor diagnosed him not to need tubes but that his adnoids were swolen and impacted and was causing the infections in his ear. The ENT said that it was so bad and had been that way for so many years he had pus and food impacted up in his adnoids. He just had them as well as his tonsils removed a couple of months ago and he says he feels so much better. Because the adnoids were swollen they were sucking in his eardrum causing the hearing problem and making him vulnerable for infections. I hope it works out for you. Good luck!