Without the constant use of antibiotics, how can you combat chronic ear infections in a 8mo old teething?

Question

He has been on antibiotics 3 times in the last two months, he is teething and therefore has a constant runny nose, hence the fluid in the ears, hence the earaches. The diaper rash and diarrhea is so bad I have to spray him off with the sink sprayer more than 10X a day. Not to mention the fact that he is building up a tolerance to these antibiotics. Any ideas are greatly appreciated. Thanks.

Answer 1

Ask your pediatrician for antibiotic drops for the ear. Supposedly it works just as well and none of the other side effects. If your son has chronic ear infections they can put tubes in his ear to alleviate the fluid. You would have to see an otolaryngologist (ENT specialist) to see if this is the way to go. He may be a little young for that yet.
Good Luck.

Answer 2

If infections are a constant problem, it may have to be longer than two months to assess the situation however, there is a small surgical procedure whereby small 'tubes' (think of a size smaller than a small cylindrical bead) can be inserted within the eardrum(s). The fluid within the ear isn't draining correctly and these very tiny tubes assist in allowing drainage to be done efficiently until the eardrum has developed more.

Once these tubes are inserted, you will notice a vast improvement and the frequency of ear infections will be lessened dramatically if not obliterated.

You'll probably have to check with your pediatrician who in turn will refer you to a specialist for this procedure. The surgery is a day surgery...takes approx 1 hr depending on whether its one or both ears and the baby has little to no discomfort.

Because of his age however, the doctor may be quite hesitant in doing this...the first recourse may be to change the antibiotics as he very well became tolerant to the specific one he is on...as you mentioned.

Oddly boys are far more susceptible to ear infections than girls are. I have 3 boys and 2 girls...all three boys had ear infections constantly while the girls had one, both at teen ages.
Good luck

Answer 3

When my daughter was teething I gave her homeopathic teething tablets. These quick dissolve pills contain many ingredients which help all of the different symptoms associated with teething. For example:
Calcarea Phosphorica ~ supports dentition (the development of teeth and their arrangement in the mouth)
Chamomilla ~ for irritability
Coffea Cruda ~ for wakefulness and diuresis
Belladonna ~ for redness and inflammation
I also did not let her go to bed with a bottle or even lie down with one because this allows more fluid to reach the ears, not to mention it is VERY bad for the teeth. Plus I would apply wash clothes soaked in hot water to her ears when I noticed her tugging at them. She had only 2 ear aches through her entire teething process and only one time did she require antibiotics. You can find teething tablets at any health food store and some grocery stores that have a health food section.

Answer 4

Keep him sitting upright for all feedings, especially milk or formula (as mentioned above) Also, I don't know what the doctor has reccomended in regards to the diarrhea, but of course you probably know he should have plenty of fluids. When my daughter has diarrhea plus diaper rash I usually set her down on a towel in a playpen without a diaper and give her a bath (and change everything out) everytime she poops. Obviously it does nothing for the diarrhea, but it really helps the rash tremendously.

Answer 5

This was my child and I was concerned, just as you are. The pediatrician told me infants are vulnerable to ear infections because everything internally is so close together that cold germs migrate very easily. I don't know how much you take him out in public -- grocery shopping, etc. -- but you might try keeping him more isolated at home so he isn't exposed to germs. FWIW, my daughter eventually outgrew the ear infections.

Answer 6

To begin with you can help avoid infections by not having your baby lie flat to drink a bottle as this forces fluids up the tubes to the ears, next avoid all smoke, cigarette smoke as well as any wood burners or fireplaces as smoke is a big contributor to infant ear infections. Next follow your doctors orders exactly and use all the medications exactly as prescribed. As your child grows the anatomy of his ears and mouth will change and he will be less likely to get so many infections.

Answer 7

when i was a kid i had ear infections also,,,antibiotics is the only thing to heal those...is the diareea from the biotics? that's to much for a little baby and those earaches are so painful...talk to the baby;s doctor and maybe they have something so baby doesn't have to suffer with the side affects'like diarrhea,,,,good luck and hope baby gets better real soon,,,,,,,

Answer 8

How about Tubes in his ears?

-HtJ

Answer 9

sweet oil