Ear Infection Question??

Question

My daughter is 5 months old and has been breastfed since birth. My mother-n-law keeps telling my husband that she thinks the baby has an ear infection...I don't think she does...I looked up common signs and symtoms of ear infections in infants and I just don't think she has one...Did your infant ever get an ear infection and if so what were some signs?

She said cause the baby is tugging at her ears but I read that that isn't a sign of ear infection that babies will pull at the ears when teething or playing and my daughter is teething...

also my daughter isnt tugging at her ears...she is sometimes rubbing her head and grabbing what lil hair she has but she has been doing this since birth

Thanks everyone for your answers...I feel better!

Answer 1

It is so hard with babies to tell if there is anything wrong because they can't tell you. Typically, for an ear infection you would look for a fever first. This is usually followed by redness in the ear (when the child is not tugging at it) and irritability. In severe cases there may be drainage coming out of the infected ear. You are probably right when you say that her tugging at her ears is more related to her teething. You could take your baby to the doctor for peace of mind, and to show your mother in law that you know what you are talking about. She is probably just trying to help, but it can be frustrating as a new mom to have someone constantly looking over your shoulder. The bottom line is that she is your daughter, and you would know best if there was a problem with her. Good luck!

Answer 2

Most likely, she's just playing with her ears. However, if she does it a lot (esp. if it happens when she's nursing or taking a bottle), you may want to have her checked out.

I used to babysit a friend's baby, and she started pulling her ears a lot at that age, but didn't seem upset about it. They took her to the pediatrician anyway just to be sure, and she actually did have an ear infection. They assumed she must have a high pain tolerance and that they caught it early.

My girls have both been fussy when they've had ear infections although I once assumed my younger daughter was teething rather than having ear pain. Luckily, that was caught at a regular check-up.

It never hurts to get it checked out just in case.

Answer 3

My girls show very little signs. they do tug but they do that when they don't have anything wrong either. Just to please your MIL bring your baby to the Dr. My girls never cried or became cranky when there ears hurt. I didn't have a clue until i took them to the Dr. and he said Oh her ears are full of fluid! I would take the baby just to be on the safe side, remember the books and stuff only tell you the common signs and symptoms...they don't tell you YOUR baby's signs and symptoms. I never use any books, if I'm not sure I call the Dr. that is what they are there for.

Answer 4

Is she crying? If not there is almost no chance she has an ear infection. They cry, run low fevers, usually will pull on their ear (some babies just pull on their ears). They are very good at letting you know when their ears hurt. Trust yourself, if in doubt call the doctor & speak with the nurse.

Good luck & remember your mother in law means well - but ignore her. She had her chance with your husband. I am a mother in law of 2 grandchildren & I mind my own business unless asked. I have 3 children & 7 grandchildren so I have seen my share of ear infections.

Answer 5

I have four children and three of them pulled or rubbed the ears. The other one had a double ear infection and had no symtoms thank god the doctor found it at a check up. So take the child to the Doctor and have him check it out and when he doesn't have one to can rub it in the face of mother in law. (Miss know it all?)

Answer 6

attempt getting some hydrogen peroxide. I remember back whilst i replaced into youthful i could get ear infections. My mom could take a cotton ball and a bottle of hydrogen peroxide, and he or she could positioned the cotton ball on the outlet of the field. She could get a million/2 of it soaked interior the hydrogen peroxide and place the moist bring about my hear, and then she could have me tilt my head so as that the peroxide could drip into the ear. This continually looked as though it may help. The peroxide ought to sparkling the ear out. He shoudl hear a fizzing sound. additionally yet another large element is a beeswax candle funnel made for drawing out wax and such from the ear. you place the wax funnel interior the ear. you're taking a less costly disposable pie pan and poke an entire via it. that's to seize the ash. and you mild it up. This reasons a vacuum and attracts crud out of the ear.

Answer 7

Actually breastfed babies have less ear infections than bottle fed babies. However, it is not unheard of for breast fed babies to have them. My babies tugged at their ears when they were fighting sleep, oddly enough. Remember your last really bad earache? They are excruciating...your baby would be crying terribly! If you think your mother in law has any merit in what she says see your pediatrician, but if baby is acting fine, feeding well, and no fever, I would say she is probably infection free.

Answer 8

My little girl also tugged her ears when she was little, when she did it, it usually meant that she was tired. In her case the ear tugging and fussing went hand in hand, because she needed to sleep. She's 2.5 yrs now and still hasn't had an ear infection, I nursed for 2 yrs!

Answer 9

To me the biggest sign of an ear infection is the baby waking up during the night screaming uncontrollably, not just your usual wake up and whinge for a feed!

Answer 10

I have a 9 month old and he tugs on his ears when he is sleepy. You will know if he has a ear ache. Most of the time they have fever, very fussy, will not eat, or sleep. I would not worry about it unless she starts running fever or will not eat or sleep. Tell mom-in-law to butt out.