My 5 month old daughter has all the symptoms of an ear infection. I'll be calling the doctor in the morning to try and get an appointment, but chances are that I won't be able to get one until Tuesday morning. Is there anything that I can do to comfort her and make her feel better besides using tylenol, until I bring her to her pediatrician? I'm a first-time mom, so any advice would be helpful...thanks in advance.
2007-02-04 16:38:12 · 20 answers · asked by scorpio8483 2 in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Newborn & Baby
My pediatrician said to alternate tylenol and motrin. Start by giving one, and then in a couple hours give the other (you wouldn't be able to give the some drug again yet) and just keep alternating. It works better than just doing Tylenol every four hours. Also, try rocking her to sleep and holding her up a bit more -- laying down will make the pressure on her ear worse.
2007-02-04 16:43:06 · answer #1 · answered by bibliophile31 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
First you really should avoid Tylenol unless she has a fever, use Advil for the pain instead. Second keep getting her to drink fluids. cool water is good especially if she has a fever, our little girl loves Ice so this works well for us. Banana Popsicles help as well especially if she will not take milk. You also may put a warm moist towel on the side of her face next to the ear that is the problem as this can help open up the passage so it will drain naturally.
You need to know that studies have shown that giving no antibiotics and giving antibiotics have the same result, most ear infections will go away on their own in about 5 to 7 days. Try not to give antibiotic unless strep is involved.
2007-02-05 00:46:56 · answer #2 · answered by Roll_Tide! 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I've had ear infections since I was born and I know they can hurt like a b**** I still get them all the time and yes there are many things you can do like drops, warm water bottles to the ear but out of all the options there was I always found warm oil (not hot) dropped into the ear to work the best.. For what it does is it coats the inner ear and soothes the pain and to me I felt as if the pain was wither cut in half and not as bad or I didnt even notice it anymore.. and also if your worried the oil will not harm your child in anyway.. I found all the other methods like the warm water bottle for example just made my ears hurt more because of the heat coming off of the bottle through the towel thou its different for us all..
I hope all goes well.. good luck to your daughter just thinking of ear infections make my ears hurt...
2007-02-05 01:03:06 · answer #3 · answered by Princesskitten 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Acetaminophen or ibuprofen can be used to help with the earache or fever over 102°F (39°C) for a few days until the antibiotic takes effect. These medications usually control the pain within 1 to 2 hours. Earaches tend to hurt more at bedtime.
To help ease the pain, you can put an ice bag or ice wrapped in a wet washcloth over the ear. This may decrease the swelling and pressure inside. Some physicians recommend a heating pad instead. Remove the cold or heat in 20 minutes to prevent frostbite or a burn.
2007-02-05 00:47:48 · answer #4 · answered by allisoneast 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I would try alternating tylenol and motrin combined with a warm wash cloth. They way i would warm it is in the microwave for 30 secs, that way its warm and is in no way wet. Also if the baby wont let u elevate him/her, roll up a receiveing blanket and put it between crib matress and crib so it elevates the bed mattress. Also i wouldnt put anything in the ear cuz if it has any discharge or anything it can push the wax in more and cuz more pain. Also dont lay her/him down while drinking the bottle cuz it can cause more pressure in the ear. I hope this helps some and i hope ur baby feels better soon.
2007-02-05 00:50:27 · answer #5 · answered by borges107 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
the sweet oil is good, and breastfeed as much as possible...the sucking with help sooth the ear
U can also take her to a walk in clinic and see a regular doctor, they will give u a perscription for antibiotics for her...then do a follow up with your pediatricion next week. U cant let the ear infection go for another 2 days on a baby that young, u need to see someone right away.
2007-02-05 00:43:00 · answer #6 · answered by eyesopen16 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Hi I would try a warm, not hot, heating pad held over her ear. If she won't let you do that , then put the pad where she is laying and pop it under her ear. The warmth really does help.Please don't put any oil or fluid into her ear until you know if the infection is middle or outer ear and that her ear drum is not perforated.
2007-02-05 00:43:34 · answer #7 · answered by BeeMay 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Besides Tylenol? Try to keep her head elevated as much as possible (either have her sleep with you so her head can rest on your arm, or place a blanket under the head of her mattress) and put a warm moist compress on the ear. If you breastfeed, continue to do so as much as possible.
2007-02-05 00:43:43 · answer #8 · answered by doodlebuttus 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Try a warm wash cloth over her ear. The heat helps relieve the pain temporarily. If you can go to a local wal-mart or walgreens try to find an ear numbing drop. I'm not sure if it has to be prescribed or not, but i know it's helped me before.
Good luck, hope she feels better!
2007-02-05 00:43:54 · answer #9 · answered by Natalie's Mommy 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
i would like to say first of dont listen to the people telling you to give your 5month old motroin. do not! it is not safe until 6 months, unless your doctor perscribes it. just give the baby tylenole, for fever/pain. get to the dr asap, ear infections can cause really high fevers. my daughter had one today, and it got up to 103.6.
2007-02-05 01:32:54 · answer #10 · answered by jjsoccer_18 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋