Should we take our daughter back to the ER?

Question

Okay, my daughter has a middle ear infection, and three doses of amoxicillian since our ER room visit yesterday as well as motrin and tylenol. Her fever broke, but now she's clammy. She finally fell asleep for about a half hour since a 20 min nap at 7 pm. And except for a few equally short naps she has been up screaming since 3 am. At this point, I am expecting CYS to show up at my door soon, if not the cops, because my neighbors aren't getting along w/ me currently. But her earache seems to be getting worse, now shes grabbing her eye and the back of her head on that side. To get to the ER, I have to walk up a steep hill and cross a four lane highway and go a block over to get my mom's car. Then drive into town. She calms down somewhat with Daddy, and the poor child is exhausted, but as soon as she dozes off in our arms her head bobs and she starts screaming again. What more can the ER do, they already prescribed an antibiotic. Or should we call her doctor in the morning?

I'm in Pa... She doesn't scream all the time, right now she's just fine sitting with Daddy. I haven't heard a peep from her in about 20 min now. I just wanted opinions because of her not sleeping, because the ER's in our area aren't very understanding of the basic baby law- as much as they scream and cry at home, as soon as you go to the hospital they perk up and coo and smile at the doctors like everything is just hunky doory.

Answer 1

It sounds to me like she's actually getting better. Warm compresses on the ears will work wonders, as will children's Motrin for the pain. Keep her in an upright position, sit in the chair and hold her if you have to. If morning comes around and she's still not feeling better, call her pediatrician and ask that she be seen that day, you have to call early, though, as soon as they open.

Please don't come to the ER unless it's a true emergency or her fever is over 101.4 degrees and won't come down despite medications, cool baths, etc etc. And DEFINITELY don't call the ambulance! That's just silliness and ties up resources for people who are having a true emergency!

Answer 2

Clammy usually means the fever has broken.
Three dosge of the antibiotic really isn't enough time to make much of a difference. Usually 48 hours is a time line for when the antibiotic kicks in.

With an inner ear infection it hurts when baby lays down.
You might have to sleep with baby on your chest while you are proped up enough so baby isn't laying flat. Laying flat makes the ears feel pressure. Did the doctor order a decongestant? Sudafed or something like that. It might help.

Also you can get a warm cloth (not hot) and hold if for a few moments to her ear.

I don't think a trip to the ER will be productive. If you want give them a phone call. I would imagine they will tell you to give the anti biotic more time. If baby is more quiet with Dad, then she might be feeling your tension and exhaustion. Take some slow deep breaths and exhale very slowly. Put on some soft music and maybe light and candle. Make a peaceful environment for both you and baby.

I raised three children. All of them had constant ear infectons. I lost a lot of sleep.

I imagine she will feel much better within 48 hours of starting the anti biotic.

P.S. The person recommending calling 911 and get an ambulance.......ah, how do you know this is what to do? Do you have a medical degree? Have you had a child with an ear infection? 911 and ambulances don't rush to hospitals for babys with ear infections. Please don't give advice unless you actually know what you are talking about.

Answer 3

If you took her yesterday and she is in the same amount of pain then don't take her until tomorrow since it could just be slow acting anitbiotics. If she is much worse then send daddy up to get the car or ask grandma to come down...don't take a long walk to go to the er. Screw the neighbors, if they have never had a sick kid then they don't have a clue. You might try filling a hot water bottle or latex glove with warm water and putting it on the side of her head over the ear. My mom did this with hospital gloves when we were kids and it worked to help the pain subside but dont use anything too hot since it can hurt the baby. CYS isn't going to do anything if you show you took her to the er and got a diagnosis, they know kids get sick and become uncomfortable. How old is your daughter, if she is still using bottles then it could be causing her pain in sucking it so try to get a larger hole in the nipple. Stay away from the binkie since the back pressure from sucking can actually make the pain worse. Good luck.

Answer 4

I would put some warm(NOT HOT) Olive oil in her ear That should help sooth the pain. If not helpful I would go ahead and take her into the ER. Poor baby! There could be something else wrong. They can also give her a stronger dose of antibiotics Via a shot. If it helps the pain, take her into the doc's tomorrow if she continues the screaming. I have had many ear infections and they are the worst pain ever!!!

Answer 5

I know this sounds cruel but call her doc in the morning. She's probably screaming from the pain, middle ear infections are VERY painful. My 4 month old son had an ear infection about a month ago. We thought he was going to wake the dead with his screaming. But his doctor gave him numbing drops for his earache along with his antibiotic and all was fine. Do what you can for her pain with the Tylenol and keeping her upright. It's perfectly normal for a baby to be clammy after breaking a fever, plus the physical excursion of crying non-stop. But, do call her doc ASAP in the morning! It sounds like she's in alot of pain.

Answer 6

if you can make it through the night take her to her normal Dr in the morning. the er is sort of a quick fix kind of thing. they don't get to much into it. if it looks like an ear infection it must be take this and thats it. her Dr might be a little more willing get more into it and knowing her, if it is just a simple ear infection, give her something better for pain. good luck that can be rough

Answer 7

generally when a child lays down while having an ear infection it causes the fluid to pool in the ears which causes more pain, which would explain why she is in more pain while in bed. if she has had three doses she should be feeling better, unless this was a viral infection which is not treatable with antibiotics. i would say if you are worried, take her back in. perhaps those antibiotics are not strong enough or something. you could wait till morning, unless she is in excruciating pain or she has a fever.

Answer 8

My Daughter went through the same thing, believe it or not my Doctor told us to give her childrens Tylenol and put her in the car and go for a ride. the vibration of the road is soothing to younger children and seems to help the earache. It worked for us. Good Luck and i hope she gets better soon.

Answer 9

I would call the ER nurse, they usually have good ideas that can help comfort them. My doctor also prescribed some pain drops for their ears, those are a miracle drug. Keep her cool, maybe a wet clothe...keep her head elevated!

Answer 10

mom, you have got to hold her and pull an all nighter. she will fall asleep eventually, you may not sleep good, but thats what moms are for. as long as her fever is normal and not 104, vomiting or having seizures, you shouldnt need to keep taking her out in the cold air. give her fluids and hold her. keep a coold sheet between you both, so body heat wont rise. warm compress over ears. tylenol for pain. GOOD LUCK, GOD BLESS..