How can I prevent an ear infection in my 8 month old?

Question

My daughter is now 8 monthsold and each time she has gotten a cold she has developed an ear infection a few days later. Is there Anything I can do now that she has a cold (to prevent an ear infection)????

Answer 1

Make sure when you take her outside you cover her ears with a hat. Good Luck.

Answer 2

There's all kinds of myths about ear infections.
I am not proud to be a smoker but i am one. Out of my four children the last three went to bed with a bottle and the oldest never did. It was the oldest child that has endured severe ear infections throughout his toddler years. The ENT Specialist (ears nose and throat specialist) said it had nothing to do with what i was or wasn't doing - it's just one of those things that can happen and some babies are more susceptible then others. My oldest ended up haveing to get "tubes" placed in his ear. The inner ear was too small to allow for proper drainage and it would get "plugged up" then "back up" and cause infections. He would get an ear infection every time he teethed. He had a "chronic infection"/it never really went away, from the age of 9 months to 22 months. He was more or less deaf becuase his ears were plugged with infection. They placed the tubes in order to open the canal. He had to have this surgery done twice - a year apart from each other and *knock on wood* he is now 11 yrs old and has not had an ear infection since he was 3 and a half! Always put a hat on their little heads even when it is sunny as the wind will cause ear infections. Other then that... cross your fingers and hope for the best. You may want to bring up the amount of times your child has been placed on a prescription to your family Dr, to make him/her aware of the pattern - they will then start watching and make referral's as needed - not only that - but baby can become immune to prescriptions if given too often!

Answer 3

I am a mom of an 11 yr old daughter. There isn't much that can be done to prevent your child from developing ear infections due to colds. Some children are just suseptible to them. My best advise is to be sure your daughter is getting lots of fluids, rest, fever/pain reliever as your pediatrician advises. Try to keep her head elevated when she sleeps to help the mucus drain out of her nose, or unfortunately down her throat instead of draining back into her ears. If you can suction her nose, definitely do it. It will help her breathe easier.Use a cool mist humidifier to help keep her nasal passages open. Be sure she is warm and comfortable.

Answer 4

You should try switching to soy milk. For some reason, there seems to be a link between cow's milk and ear infections. Many mothers have found a dramatic decrease in ear infections when switching to soy milk. It's more expensive, but its worth not having to put your little one on antibiotics all the time.

Also, another trick is to not put her down immediately after her bottle. The ear, nose and throat are all connected (that's why it's called a ear, nose, throat doctor). When she lays down, things in her throat can drain into her ear. This is why you're not supposed to lay a baby down immediately after a feeding.

To improve general draining of fluids, you should use a humidifier in her room. This will keep her nasal and throat passages more moisturized, and therefore easier for fluids to drain while she has a cold. If the fluids sit and gather in her nose and throat, chances are they will drain into her ear rather than down her throat.

Answer 5

Don't let your child lie down and drink our of a bottle or sippy cup. I think at her young age her nasal passages and ear canals are really close together so she may just be prone to ear infections. Ask your pediatrician which, if any, nasal drop she suggests to drain out her little nasal passages. Not sure about the Benadryl suggestion since that is for allergies. Contact her ped before you give her OTC products, especially since at her age dosage is dependant on wieght rather than age...you can't just "give a little bit of" something...that's old school...something my mom would have done...my sister and I are amazed we actually made it past infancy ; )

Answer 6

There is a new immunisation out that will help prevent against ear infections,meningitis etc.. It will be offered to all children under two years old, My youngest is 21months and I will be taking her as soon as my appointment arrives. It is about time they had an immunisation like this as it is so painful for a little one when they get ear infections. If you dont recieve your appointment soon contact your doctor and ask them when it will arrive! Thats what I did

Answer 7

My children used to have ear infections all the time. My daughter now has 3 children and they have never had one. The difference is she never puts them to bed with a bottle. She keeps them up at least 45 minutes after feeding them. I wish someone had told me that years ago.

Answer 8

If you r a smoker--don't smoke around your baby. This causes ear infections. I know you said she gets a cold and then an ear infection. I just wanted to add that tid bit of info. Just in case....

Answer 9

the ear infection is probably caused by her congestion, so when she gets a runny nose, give her some benadryl to relieve it. if it is really bad, the doctor may want to put tubes in her ears to help with the draining.

Answer 10

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