What is causing my daughters' ear infections?

Question

I have 2 little girls, ages 2 and 5 months. The two year old has had cronic ear infections and fluid on the ear. However, they are rarely painful or symptomatic. We usually find out about them during a routine check-up. Now, my 50-month old has one!
My question is this: I breastfed my 1st for a year, and I breastfeed the baby. I often breastfeed while lying down. I have been assured that this doesn't cause ear infections (though drinking a bottle while lying down DOES), but I am at a loss to find another explanation. No one smokes, and the kids are otherwise healthy. One thing to note: I was prone to ear and throat infections as a child. Does that matter?
Has anyone else ever had this problem?

Answer 1

We have Eustachian tube dysfunction in 3 members of our family. It is where the tube doesn't drain properly. It can make you more prone to infections, and the best way to deal with it is to talk with your ped, or an Ear nose and throat doctor. Not all doctors are familiar with it either.

http://www.netwellness.com/question.cfm/49818.htm

Answer 2

It does run in families, it can be caused by the development, or the anatomy of the under developed ear and sinus in children.

Breastfeeding is great, and it really does help cut down on it a lot.

Is the toddler on antibiotics? Or has she been? Antibiotics are routinely given for ear infections BEFORE they should be, or in cases when they are NOT needed. Antibiotics kill the immune system, all the antibodies that the child was building for the sickness are wiped out. So you end up with repeated infections because the system is weak, and the ear never has a chance to heal and properly develop.

I would suggest going to see a GOOD chiropractor. I know this sounds asinine, but iam walking proof that it works. Even infants can see chiropractors. THe immune system functions along with the health of the spine.

I got very sick as a child, and was on antibiotics to stop the sickness, as it was I was left with no immune system and ended up on a 2 year cycle of strep throat- to the point of being boarder line rhuematic fever. Two weeks off, two weeks on- antibiotics over and over and over. My mom took me to a chiropractor as a last resort on the word of a friend.

I was 7 at the time. Iam now 24 and have NEVER had an ear infection or strep throat since. Ever. Ive never even had the flu.

Blah blah blah, all that to say- look other places beyond doctors.

Answer 3

If your kids are prone to chronic ear infections, then you should probably take them to an ENT (ear,nose,&throat doctor). He would probably be better able to get to the bottom of the problem than anyone.
Yes, laying down and drinking fluid, be it from a breast or other wise, can drain into the ears.
Also, maybe allergies could be causing the problem.
Again, the ENT dr. would probably be able to diagnose this too. I had 2 children with a lot of ear problems. My younger daughter got ear tubes at 13months and it was like a miracle. She went from having an ear infection at least once a month to hardly ever.
Good luck to you. I hope you figure out what is causing the problem.

Answer 4

Some babies are just more prone to ear infections. Many babies get them during illness because the Eustachian tubes are shorter and haven't grown into the slanted position they will have as children and adults. So that makes it very easy for fluid to back up into the tympanic membrane. Sometimes the fluid is harmless and other times it turns into an infection. This is most babies. Your babies sound like they are just more prone to having fluid in their ears. It's great that they aren't symptomatic. As the ears grow and the tubes get into their permanent position, the ear infections will end.
I hope this helps!

Missy

Answer 5

According to my pediatrician he states that it is common that if the parents had the ear infections then the baby will as well. At 2 months he told us that my lil guy would have to have tubes in his ears. There is this thing called an "earcheck" looks alot like a ear thermometer that checks for fluid in the ear. I think mine was about 75.00 but if you little ones are prone to the infections it is alot cheeper than the 30.00 copay just to check and see.

Answer 6

My 8 year old had ear infections all the time. I had bad ear infections when I was little too. Even with ear plugs in the bath and being careful to cover his ears outside, he still got them. The doctor finally put tubes in his ears when he was a year old. They fell out about a year or so later. They helped him so much and he has not had an ear infection since then.

Answer 7

I am glad to hear you are breastfeeding- and poor babies!!!
I nurse my baby laying down all the time- she has not had an ear infection yet.

I would talk to the pediatrician about this because it could be a problem with the inner ear and it could also be hereditary. Worst case: it is both!

Good luck and I hope it is resolved soon!

Answer 8

My friend's little one just turned 2, and has had recurrent ear infections, despite antibiotics, keeping ears dry, etc. Now she is better because they put in grommets. These are small tubes that allow the ears to drain, at the same time allowing the drum to heal around them. It also improved her speech quickly, since she could hear clearly.

Answer 9

yes and that is cause ears infection if your babies laid flat all the time while you breastfed or did you put water in her ears while bathing? this is also cause ears infection. that is what my class told me.