why does my son do that?

Question

why does my son cover his ears ( that way we would if something was loud ) when he crys and screems. this happens when he is not in someones hands. his doctor says he grabs his ears becuase he maybe teething ( 4 months old) he has no fever so its not a ear infection.

Answer 1

hmm.. I would get him looked at. Ear infection? I heard something about this once, the child had sensitive hearing and soemthing was wrong and I dont' remember what.. but he would do the same thing. I would get a second opinion. Grabbing ears can be from teething, but not in correltion with loud noises... that would be him in pain from a noise soudning WAY too loud for him.

Answer 2

My middle daughter had repeated ear infections as an infant and child and never had a fever with any of them. She continued to have ear infections throughout her elementary school age and as a teenager. She has some hearing loss as a result. Her first ear infection was at her 2 month well-baby check-up and I didn't even know she was sick. Until she could talk, the only way I knew she had an ear infection was if she woke up in the middle of the night. So, don't rule out an ear infection just because there is no fever. With your son's behavior, I would be more inclined to think he covers his ears when he cries just because that is a reaction that he has developed to help him cope with whatever is causing his crying, be it pain, frustration, hunger, or discomfort. I don't think it is a matter of terrible concern, but as your son gets older, you may be able to decipher what that particular gesture means since he doesn't seem to do it every time he cries, just when he isn't being held. Teething pain can cause ear pain as well, but he would probably hold his ears regardless if he was being held or not if that were the cause. If he is usually lying down when he holds his ears, perhaps he doesn't have an ear infection but may have some pressure from a cold or some fluid in his ears.

Answer 3

My son did that, and he still does it and he's almost 3 now. I think it's just a comfort thing. Since he is only 4 months, he may still like the feeling of being as snug as he was in the womb. My son also tugged on his ears when he was teething. Since we took away his paci, he seems to tug on his ears a lot, so I just figured it's the comfort thing because he has all of his teeth in and he's not sick. I wouldn't worry about it.. all babies have little quirks that make them special, good luck!

Answer 4

Well, my daughter always grabbed her ears when she was tired. If I saw her hands go up, I knew it was naptime or bedtime. But also want to let you know that babies can get ear infections without a fever. Our daughter did, and we didn't know until we went in for a well check-up.

Answer 5

Sometimes their ears start hurting before they get the fever.

Answer 6

Children rub their ears to sooth themselves. Does he rub a blanket on his face when he sleeps? If so, then I think it is a comfort measure because he is so upset. My daughter did that all the time. I thought it was her ears, but she never ran a temp. Then I started noticing that when I rock her to sleep, she rubs her blanket on her ear and cheek. Hope this helps. . ..

Answer 7

Maybe he hasan ear infection? My mom said to watch for that to make sure if my son gets one.

Answer 8

Maybe his own screams hurt his ears. It sounds like he is scared when he isn't held. Try touching and stroking him when he's lying in a cradle, bed, etc.

Answer 9

Apparently something is hurting him. I would get a second opinion.