Does a baby always fuss when he/she has an ear infection. My baby has been pulling at her ear lately...not constantly but a lot. She's 3 and a half months. She isn't fussy or running a fever...could this be an ear infection or does she simply just happens to do this at times?
2006-07-17 17:13:38 · 21 answers · asked by Anonymous in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Newborn & Baby
My daughter never ran fevers during ear infections. So I had to watch for her cues. She would pull or scratch at her ear. She would be more irritable and clingy. And would not sleep well at night.
But my daughter has a bit of an ear fetish. Whenever she nurses, she has to hold her ear. When she's tired, she holds her ear. And when I have trouble getting her to sleep....I rub her ear and it puts her to sleep.
So when she pulls her ear....it is no guarantee of an infection at all. And sometimes the symptoms of TEETHING can be similiar to an Ear infection. So there is that possibility as well. In fact, right now my baby has a massively runny nose, and is as irritable as can be, and isn't sleeping well. I am suspecting she is breaking her 1 year molars. Luckily we have a doc appt on Wednesday for her one year checkup.
If you suspect your baby is in pain, take her to the doc. I know it is a bummer to come up with a co-pay, when you don't even know for sure if your suspicions are correct. But you are buying peace of mind.
2006-07-17 17:26:41 · answer #1 · answered by momof2kiddos 4 · 3⤊ 1⤋
The first time that my daughter (now 13 months) had an ear infection she did not pull at her ear much at all. I did notice her pulling at one ear everyonce in a while, but not to often. She did also have a runny nose and was fussier than usual she didnt run a fever either. I decided to take her in to check. The next time I was sure she did have an EI so I took her in and told the doctor that she had been pulling on her ear a lot and had been fussy. The Dr told me that she was fine and that some babies just play with their ears a lot. Another time I took her in because she had an eye infection and discovered that she did have an ear infection and I wasnt aware of it. Right now she has been pulling at her ear, has a little bit of a runny nose, fussy and isnt eating as much as she usually does so I am going to go ahead and take her in tomorrow to check (she has been doing this for a week now). Sometimes there are signs of an ear infection and sometimes none at all. My advice to you is to call your Dr and talk to one of the nurses first. If they tell you to go ahead and bring your little one then do. It 's better to know for sure than to wonder. If it turns out that your daughter is fine at least you know. Dont be embarresed if you take her in and she is fine, because at least then you know and every parent has been through the what ifs. It is really tricky with a small child who cant tell you what is going on or what is hurting them. Good Luck!
2006-07-18 00:26:14 · answer #2 · answered by brandy 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Sometimes they just pull at their ears because they are there, but if she seems to be in pain when she swallows it could be an ear infection. If you have any doubts just take her to the pediatrician it is always better to be safe than sorry. My daughter was the same way and I thought sure as the world she had an ear infection, but the doctor insured me every time that she was just fine. She would seem to be in alot of discomfort and a slight fever would be present if it was her ears.
2006-07-18 00:22:30 · answer #3 · answered by Lil's Mommy 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Is she waking up crying at night or other times when you lay her down. Many times, the fluid present during an infection will push against the ear drum during an infection, making the pain worse when laying down. Generally the baby is at least 'off' a bit-if you are worried, swing by the doctor. It will only take a second to check it out. My baby also went through a period of ear pulling but never had an infection.
2006-07-18 00:19:04 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
My son is 2 1/2 and he has had TONS of ear infections throughout his short life!! He actually had to end up getting tubes when he turned 2. He rarely ran a fever when he had an ear infection and usually wasnt very fussy (unless it was a bad one)....the only way I knew was because he would pull on his ear. I would take your daughter to see her pediatrician and get it checked out...it could be nothing, but you definitly want to get it treated if it is something!! Good Luck!! =)
2006-07-18 00:19:07 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Ear infections are super painful for babies and little children especially. My daughter would be very irritable and tugging at her ear like it was bugging her. If she isn't very fussy or running a fever then it might not be, but it would be a good idea to call an advice nurse or something.
2006-07-18 00:17:15 · answer #6 · answered by L. M 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If she's not fussy or running a fever, then she has probably just found her ear and is playing with it. If she starts fussing when she touches it or you touch it, then she probably has an infection. Another possibility is that she is teething. Most pediatricians will tell you that they won't get an earache from teething, but I found that untrue with my three kids. I wouldn't worry about it to much unless she starts running a fever, or you think it's really hurting her.
2006-07-18 00:21:11 · answer #7 · answered by kconklin31 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Pulling at the ear is more likely to be related to teething than to an ear infection. For some reason, pulling seems to make baby's gums feel better. If you are concerned, see the pediatrician, but it's probably nothing to worry about. If you've ever had an ear infection yourself, it's *painful*; your daughter would let you know if she had one!!
2006-07-18 01:33:58 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
look i am the pro at ear infections my daughter got them every few months up until she was about one i did notice that she would pull at her ear but i didnt think nothing of it when she started to get fussy and a cold i would take her to the doctors and she would have a ear infection so i would take her to the doctors just to de on the safe side and to catch it early if she does have one good luck
2006-07-18 00:58:22 · answer #9 · answered by Katie R 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Take your little one to the pediatrician so they can diagnose it. But always be careful and keep a close eye on baby when trying a new medication. I took my daughter in to the doctor when she was 18 months. She had a ear infection, and was prescribed Augmentin. Turns out my daughter is allergic. She started breaking out with little tiny bumps all over her body, and my husband and I both thought it was measles. Soon her entire body was covered and she had a horrible fever plus difficulty breathing. I took her to the ER, and they had to give her a steroid. So I advise you to watch any new meds your baby might have to take. Keep an eye out for possible allergic reactions.
2006-07-18 15:06:20 · answer #10 · answered by save_me_now 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋