What are some symptoms of an ear infection in a young baby?
2006-12-01 03:16:30 · 10 answers · asked by totspotathome 5 in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Newborn & Baby
The easiest way to tell if your baby has an ear infection (also known as acute otitis media) — or any other illness, for that matter — is a change in his mood. If he turns fussy, or starts crying more than usual, you should be on the lookout for a problem. If he develops a fever (whether slight or high) you have another big clue. Ear infections tend to strike after a common cold or sinus infection, so keep that in mind too. You may also notice the following symptoms:
• Your baby pulls, grabs, or tugs at his ears. This may be a sign he's in pain. (However, babies do pull on their ears for all kinds of reasons or for no reason at all, so if your baby seems fine otherwise, he probably doesn't have an ear infection.)
• Diarrhea. The virus that causes ear infections can also affect the gastrointestinal tract.
• Reduced appetite. Ear infections can cause gastrointestinal upset. They can also make it painful for your baby to swallow and chew. You may notice your baby pull away from the breast or bottle after he takes the first few sips.
• A yellow or whitish fluid draining from the ear. This doesn't happen to most babies, but it's a sure sign of infection. It also signals that a small hole has developed in the eardrum. Don't worry — this will heal on its own once the infection is treated.
• A foul odor emanating from the ear.
2006-12-01 03:45:34 · answer #1 · answered by mozymozart 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
There are some common signs, such as fever, tugging at the ears and crying. Also, not sleeping or eating normally may be an indicator. My middle daughter has had many ear infections and never ran a fever with any of them, so don't always depend on a fever. Her only symptom as an infant was when she would not sleep through the night she always had an ear infection. As she grew older, by the time she would tell me, "My ear feels clogged." the infection had usually progressed to the draining stage. She has a very high pain tolerance like her dad. Any time a young baby is acting unusual, such as not eating, very irritable, can't be soothed when crying, or is lethargic a call to the doctor's office is in order. Fever above 100.4 rectally in an infant under 3 months should be reported to the doctor and will most likely require a visit to the office.
2006-12-01 11:27:51 · answer #2 · answered by sevenofus 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If your child has a fever higher than 101 degrees you should call the Dr. A fever above that is a sign of an infection. Other wise it could be just teething which can also make your child display a lot of the symptoms associated with an ear infection. Give him/her Childrens Motrin which is an anti-infalmmatory unlike Tylenol, and will help with the swelling of the ear/gums if teething.
I must add that this of course depends on your childs age. If they are younger than 3 months I would check with the pediatrician before giving them ANYTHING!!!! Little babies are very sensitive to meds, and it could make them more miserable!!
2006-12-01 11:29:12 · answer #3 · answered by twopeas03 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Moderate to high fever, baby not wanting to eat a bottel b/c often when they suck, it hurts their ears. Pulling at the ear or rubbing the ear. If it is a very young baby, call the doc if the fever lasts for than a day or if the fever gets very high.
2006-12-01 11:28:54 · answer #4 · answered by #3ontheway! 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
When my daughter had an ear infection she used to cry and pull at her ear and her ear was red around the inside.
2006-12-01 15:54:00 · answer #5 · answered by ♥Just_Me♥ 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
My daughter would cry a lot and rub/touch the
side of her face. When ever I would give her a bottle she would take a few sips and then cry again.
Her ear will be red on the inside and feel warm to the touch. If you lay your baby down it causes the
pain to become worse. If you suspect this then get
your baby to a doctor ASAP. The water in the ear
will cause problems with her hearing which will
interfer with her speech later on.
2006-12-01 11:29:25 · answer #6 · answered by Precious Gem 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
One of the signs is the baby rubbing his ears. The other is crying alot and a fever is usually present.
2006-12-01 11:25:37 · answer #7 · answered by Diane G 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
High fever, vomitting, tugging at ear, redness around/inside the ear.
2006-12-01 11:19:07 · answer #8 · answered by Ryan's mom 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If its worse when lying flat. May have better luck sleeping on you in a chair.
2006-12-01 11:55:54 · answer #9 · answered by lillilou 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Ryan's right
2006-12-01 11:22:19 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋