I am wondering if any other moms out there have experienced their baby playing with their ears. My daughter is almost 5 months old and when she is hungry or tired she seems to flick at her ears. At first I suspected an ear infection, but their behavior is continuous and she does it to both ears. It seems like it would hurt, and sometimes does if she has longer nails, but she does not seem to mind the pain. Does this seem like a normal developmental thing or the beginning of some sort of problem?
My son did it all the time when he was little. I wooried too, at first, but it soon came to be a great indicator of bed-time. Sometimes, when we would be cuddling, he would even play with MY ear!!! It was so sweet. And, to be honest, I miss it now that he has outgrown it. Enjoy it while it lasts. It's those moments of innocence that matter most!!!
Jen
My daughter did the same thing, mostly when she was tired. She is 16 months now and still does it occasionally. It just seems to give her comfort.
My youngest will be 1 on Jan 3 and she has played with her ears I think since birth. Our Doctor says that it is a secrity thing. I dont think you have anything to worry about its probaly the same for here
I have a 10 1/2 month old son who has also done the same thing since he was about 4 months old. Our doctor said it is a pretty common thing, and nothing to worry about. I think it might have something to do with just discovering that they are there. Kinda like they do with their feet. I wish you the best of luck! Take care
both my kids did that too. I was also worried about ear infections etc..but they were fine.. it must have been their thing.. they don't do it anymore..they're 2 and 3 ... :)
Hello X.,
My daughter Emma did the same thing about that age. I took her to her ped Dr & was told that Emma was just playing with her newly discovered ears. I hope this gives you some comfort.
Take care,
C. L
I read your story and just wanted you to know that my son, who is now 2 1/2 did/does the same thing. It seems to be somewhat of a soothing thing that he does when he is hungry or tired. He is a happy, healthy, developmentally "normal" child, so I wouldn't worry about it. I used to get worried about my son having ear infections also, but he has never had one so far. I think you would be able to tell if she had an ear infection if she was running a fever, was cranky outside of just being hungry or tired, and had other symptoms.
Hope this helps! :)
M.
I have a six month old who does the same thing. As long as I keep her nails short it doesn't seem to be a big deal. Another mother mentioned that she might be having some drainage and a light massage tracing in front of the ear from the tragus to the jaw bone might help relieve it if that's the case.
It is very possible your baby is ready to begin teething. Usually tugging at the ears, unexplained fevers and crying a lot goes a long with the teething process.
Good Luck.
my son does it all the time. I thought the same thing there is got to be a problem. But his doctor said there wasn't a problem its more of a comforted kind of thing. like sucking on a thumb. His doctor said he fills safer when he does this. I hope this will help you. But if it will make you fill better ask your daughters doctor about it. I hope every thing turns out alright. And may god go with you.
My son is five months old (as of tomorrow) and he does the same thing. It seems like he does it most often when he's sleepy. I would only worry that it was an ear infection if your baby had a fever or other signs of infection. I think playing with ears must be a normal stage.
My 7mo. old is playing with her ears too, and I asked her doctor about it. She said, there is no infection and she just likes to play with her ears, because she just figured out that she had them. It's just something new. Don't worry, she'll move on.
Kim
It's totally normal, my daughters both do it...With her age, she could be starting to teethe. Does she drool alot? Chewing on everything? If not yet, probably soon!
My son did the same thing - especially when he was tired or frustrated, flicking and flapping at his ears. He's 13 months now and rarely does it anymore. So I guess it's normal.
My son has ALWAYS done that but it got more prominent as he got older. (he's eight months now) We even have pictures of him doing it in the womb! It's really normal and if it doesn't bother her, I'm sure it's no big deal. There are some signs...crankiness, cries when and if you talk into the ear...etc. to indicate a problem.
My son did the exact same thing at 5 months. I called the pediatrician and the nurse thought he just "discovered" his ears. Well he ended up with a nasty ear infection. I had to take him to urgent care on a Sunday night because he started running a fever, clawing at his ears, wailing, wouldn't eat, and nothing would help him settle down. The Dr. at the urgent caught the infection and prescribed antibiotics. I'd take your daughter in for a check up in person.
