My baby is 6 months old and just got over an ear infection. Her ear that was infected looks great now, but the other has fluid in it. Our pedi said it isn't an infection. She is keeping a watch on it, but what exactly does this mean and is this something that we may need to get tubes for later? Fluid in the ear can cause some hearing loss and is something we need to watch, correct?
2006-09-13 02:43:04 · 10 answers · asked by Kristi62870 1 in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Newborn & Baby
My daughter had fluid in her ear for about 6 months and we decided to have tubes put in her ears. As far as I know, she only had one infection, which I assume is when the fluid developed in her ears. We put the tubes in at 12 months and were unsure at the time whether the fluid was actually even causing any problems. After the tubes were put in, though, she began talking quite a bit more and we realized that the fluid was causing problems with her hearing. She is now 21 months old and saying new words all the time. It's too early to say whether your daughter will need tubes, but keep an eye on the fluid in her ear and be open to tubes if that's what your doctor and an ENT think is best. Good luck.
2006-09-13 02:52:34 · answer #1 · answered by cldb730 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I have 3 kids now aged 15, 13 and 11 so this is still fresh in my mind. Ear infections in small children are a constant problem. I used to tell the pediatrician that they should give me my own parking place. I would go ahead and ask the Pediatrician for a consult with an Ear Nose and Throat doctor. Many Pediatricians for some reason will wait until your child has had countless infections before recommending this step. The tubes will eliminate the pressure from fluid and keep your child from experiencing unnecessary pain from these infections as well as reduce the risk of hearing loss from fluid pressure. Otherwise you will find yourself at the doctor's office constantly with a miserable child to get an antibiotic. While the infection may still occur requiring medication, your child will not suffer as much.
2006-09-13 10:00:15 · answer #2 · answered by spirus40 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
in an adult the eustacian tube (tube connecting ear and throat is rather upright) in a baby its more horizontal consequently fluid can get there easier.....
it does not cause hearing loss
you need to have a lot of ear infections before they consider tubes....
my kids had so many ear infections and then bam they got to be about 3 and half and haven't had any! the doc said their ear tube finally became more upright...
2006-09-13 09:48:56 · answer #3 · answered by Chef Susy--Cookin it up! 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I will tell you my experience with this..My now 4 yr old daughter got her first ear infection when she was 6 months old..Same drill, she was put on antibiotics for 10 days and I was told to bring her back in after she had completed the regimin..Sure enough, they worked, but now her left ear had fluid in it...Soo.....she was monitered, as you baby is, and I was told to bring her back in a week to have it checked AGAIN..(good thing we have decent insurance)..Sure enough, she did not even make the week, she spiked a fever, and was doing the are tugging and just flat out cranky, it was infected...She was put on a DIFFERENT antibiotic for another 10 days, and the ball started to bounce..It seemed like every time she would get rid of one, the other would become infected..i tried EVERYTHING, even the homeopathic meds my Dr recommended..I thought it was hokey, but thought to myself, what if I don't try it and it works for her...Well, it didn't, so we scheduled the surgery for her tubes..She had to have bilateral tubes(tubes in both ears), and although the first day after surgery was miserable for her, she has been o.k since..maybe 1 or 2 ear infections since then.She is now 4, and I had to take her to have one of the tubes removed, simple,painless office procedure..The other tube had fallen out, as they should....
BE cautious when dealing with you babys ears, Im sure I don't need to tell you that....
And DO NOT ALLOW YOUR DR TO CONSTANTLY GIVE YOUR BABY ANTIBIOTICS!!YOU NEVER KNOW WHEN THEY WILL DESPERATELY NEED THEM..There are MANY cases of antibiotics not working, because some Dr.s are too quick to prescribe them, and when she/he really needs them, they may not be effective!
2006-09-13 11:00:41 · answer #4 · answered by sheila a 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Actually fluid in their ears can cause temporary hearing loss and may prevent your child from hearing and thus speaking clearly. My son had severe loss from fluid in his ear but we watched it and his hearing and speaking. The doctor said that a couple of months was fine but we wouldn't let it go on longer than that. And it cleared up on his own and his hearing loss went away.
2006-09-13 09:53:12 · answer #5 · answered by Tetsi 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
does your baby have them often?? this is something you have to watch and can make your life miserable. Ear infections are very painful and fluid in the ear can make you very uncomfortable. One surgery to have tubes is worth months of this trouble. keep track of all of the problems in a journal and make sure you have a good pediatrician who will listen to you. I have heard it can cause behavior problem also. I have had them all my life and it is has caused me the most pain ever. So i can imagine a baby's pain!!!!
2006-09-13 10:12:58 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Everything is ok..sometimes if there is fluid on the ears, it will drain itself. If it gets worse then you should take your baby back to the doctor, if the fluid in his/her ears were going to cause hearing loss the doctor would drain the fluid his/herself
Good luck with it sweetie! I know what its like to have a sick baby!
2006-09-13 09:51:33 · answer #7 · answered by cirnrab 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It is extremely strange, but if the doctor says no worries, he/she is right. All you need to do is always keep an aspirator nearby, every now and then throughout the day just suction outh the fluid out and follow up with an infant q-tip (cotton swab) Make sure the bath water is nice and warm every night, and immediately after the bath.....Pull out that aspirator. it should evuntually dry up.
2006-09-13 09:51:53 · answer #8 · answered by arielchrisandjunior 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Definatly. I had my tonsiles removed when I has five because of constant ear infections. So keep an eye on her ears if only the slightest pink call her doc.
2006-09-13 09:55:15 · answer #9 · answered by bird_e80 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
maybe you can but a few drops of hydrogen peroxide it will dry it all up i use to get an ear infection every time i got in the water for to long try it and see how it work use a baby dropper
2006-09-13 09:52:03 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋