Do you think pacifiers contribute to ear infections?

Question

My son is 18 months old, has tubes in his ears, and STILL has re-occurring ear infections. His pediatricians haven't told us that his pacifier is contributing.....but all the mom's I know swear that's the problem. HELP!

Answer 1

Pacifiers ushually help relieve ear pain from infection/popping. I would continue to let him have them. I would also ask if he needs to have the tubes replaced or make sure they are both in there still. They can fall out in as little as 6m.

We found that the reason my daughter was having ear infections was related to allergies. She was allergic to our cats/dog. It would cause post nasel drip and then ear infections.

Answer 2

I have heard that pacifiers can cause ear infections, so this could be possible. The ears, nose, and throat are all related and intertwined. A quick call to a ENT doctor could confirm if this is possible. Not saying that pediatricians are bad, but sometimes they overlook things that a professional in a certain area might be better to answer.
Also, sucking on a pacifier does not help with an ear ache! If you have ever had an ear infection (I've suffered from them my whole life) you know that when you swallow your ear pops causing pain. What would I do? Take him off the pacifier just to see what happens.

Answer 3

From personal experience of my own kids, my youngest daughter didn't give up her pacifier until she was 6 years old and only ever had 2 ear infections. Her doctor and I decided to try the "wait and see" approach and both resolved on their own without antibiotics. My middle daughter was a thumb-sucker well into elementary school and never used a pacifier. She has had numerous ear infections and has hearing loss in both ears because of it. I have not heard of frequent ear infections being linked to pacifier use.

Answer 4

My daughter has constant ear infections but she has never been that into her pacifier. I don't think it's a cause. My entire extended family had horrible ear infections as children and some even into adulthood. Our personal experience with tubes is that they alleviate pain more than they really reduce the frequency of the ear infections. I dont know if this is prevalent in all cases but it's what happened for us. I hope this lessens your concerns somewhat.

Answer 5

my son is the same age and he also suffers from re-occuring ear infections. He does not have tubes yet, but I ask the doctor if the pacifier or the bottle contributes to it, but she stated it does not have anything to do with it. We are know considering putting the tubes.

My opininion I think it does, but she told me I was wrong. I hope you get a good answer.

Answer 6

NOPE both children used them and not one ear infection. One child is 12 and never had an ear infection and one is 2 and no ear infections. Don't be so sure that is even contributing to the problem. Always get a second opinion

Does your child attend daycare as respiratory infections can contribute to ear infections. Watch for a history of food allergies or airborne allergens. TOO MANY ANTIBOTICS CAN CAUSE EAR INFECTIONS.Since 1998, they have no longer recommended antibiotics for ear infections except for certain cases, yet my colleques are quick to write a script out. The problem is that most studies show that antibiotics are ineffective and often cause more harm than good by increasing the liklihood of repeated infections by 6 to 8 times. No wonder you have to keep going back to the doctor. Tubes also have their share of disappointments and can cause scarring and hearing loss.


Avoidance of foods to which one is allergic greatly reduces allergic swelling. The most common foods that my patients have reacted to are:

Milk and milk products


Chocolate


Tomatoes and tomato products


Citrus fruits and citrus juices


Sugar


White wheat


Dark drinks


Eggs


Avoidance of foods alone has been demonstrated to greatly reduce ear problems in children.

The Role of Food Allergies in Ear Infections
http://www.onlineallergycenter.com/earinfections/


Frequently Asked Questions
Ear Infections

Answer 7

My daughter, now 30, had many ear infections, beginning when she was 1 year old (when I stopped nursing). The doctor always told us that the ear infections would lessen as her eustachian tubes developed. She never had a pacifier, nor did she suck her thumb as a child. The ear infections continued through her teen-age years. When she was diagnosed as lactose intolerant as an adult, she stopped drinking milk and the ear infections stopped completely!

Answer 8

The sucking action from the bottle places a pressure on the interior-ear as air pressure is placed upon the drum by way of partial vacuum in the mouth. this may reason inflammation and discomfort. Small debris of dirt and/or liquid might want to correctly be compelled into the ear through the action of the air entering the ear canal, ensuing in infections. the large kind one reason behind ear infections in little ones and childrens is overzealous moms who make too large an attempt to sparkling the ear canal. Ear wax is safe practices. no matter if it really is inflicting a difficulty, enable the pediatrician preserve it.

Answer 9

I have a 18 month old son as well. He hasn' had an ear infection yet.
One of the main causes is letting him have a bottle while he's lying down. That's a big no-no. Hopefully this will help.
I hope your little one feels better.

Answer 10

my daughter has had a pacifier in her crib since birth. she hasn't had an infection yet (she's 18 months old)

a couple of causes of ear infection that i know of is a smoker in the home, bottle taken to bed....