Help with Ear Infection

Whether or not you use antibiotics, you should have the doctor confirm an infection. My son also didn't have infections as a baby and ended up with tubes when he was 4. (he couldn't hear, and failed his preschool hearing test!)

I had ear infections as a child and swimmer's ear, and I can confirm from experience that they can be worse at night. (the ear infections were probably made worse because my mom smoked - and I have some hearing loss plus I'm allergic to penicillan because of those infections.)

Before I start my rant on smoking, it might not be an ear infection. If she is waking up with it hurting after a couple of hours, it could be that she is grinding her teeth and might be jaw pain (called TMJ) and it feels VERY much like an earache. A dentist or maybe pediatrician would be able to feel her jaw and look at her teeth and tell you if this is the case. Some things that will help- not using sippy cups or straws, not letting her chew very chewy things like gum and gummy candy, etc. A dentist could probably fit her for a mouth guard for nighttime too, though I'm not sure if they do that for a child so young.

I know that this is not easy to hear, but smoking around a child is ABUSE in my book. It makes kids sick and can cause cancer! I have been a single mom and KNOW how hard it is to get babysitters, keep a boyfriend, etc. and there is just NO WAY I would allow anyone to smoke around my child. I had to isolate both of my grandmothers from my daughter because they smoke in their house and would not stop. But I was strong and did it... I wanted my child to be well. I just recently responded to another question about ear infections on here with the example of my nephew - he gets sick even breathing stale smoke air- you know, that smell that someone has in their car from smoking in it. He doesn't even have to be around the actual smoke in order to get very bad upper respiratory and ear infections.
Please, please talk with the people who are smoking around her and tell them to stop. It is, at the very least, disrespectful.

Hi M., I just read your situatuion and would like to offer some input. I'm not going to rant about smoking, (my mother smoked around me my whole life and I never had an ear infection.) Anyway, if your daughter drinks milk and you notice her ear hurting more at night, try not giving her milk at night. Milk is a major couse of ear infections. The mucus in the body becomes more thick and stagnent and builds up leaving extra fluid in the ear canal. I know that many people will disagree with me, but this is what I have learned. I know many natural health people and my mother has her degree in natural health and I've read up on this. I have 2 children and they don't drink milk. I give them rice milk and they don't get ear infections. Another option is try putting a couple drops of warm garlic oil in her ear. You can buy it at health food stores or make some yourself. Let it sit in the ear and gently rub the outer ear. It will help clear the ear and the infection (garlic is great at getting rid of infections). I've used this also on my kids and the kids I take care of. Good luck the rest of your pregnancy and with your daughter's ears.

R.

Dear M.,

As a former communication disorders and sciences major, my suggestion is to definitely take your daughter to a doctor. However, it may be best to take her to a specialist (ear nose and throat specialist). The ENT is an expert at diagnosing such infections, and if they determine your daughter has one, then he/she will prescribe a course of antibiotics that is location-specific, rather than whole-body. In most cases, a general pediatrician will prescribe a whole-body antiobiotic, which is not necessary since the whole body is not what is affected!

In terms of the smoking issue....I don't think it is EVER ok to smoke around children. I have to admit that I do feel strongly about this since I am a non-smoker, but exposure to second hand smoke is not good for ANY one regardless of age. While I understand that your boyfriend and his mother are smokers, they need to realize that they are joepardizing your daughter's health! I think smokers can be so selfish at times! My mom, who has breast cancer I might add, continues to smoke, which is obviously her personal choice, but when she attempts to smoke around my son, I have to put my foot down. She often thinks that going into a different room will reduce my son's exposure. NOT! The fumes can drift from room to room! If staying at your own home will help reduce your daughter's exposure to second-hand smoke, then by all means, stay there. Your daughter's health is what is most important. BTW, most ear infections (otitis media) are caused by stagnant fluid that accumulates in the ear. The reason doctors prescribe antibiotics is because they dry up that fluid so that the ear is restored to its healthy state. Good luck with taking your daughter to the doctor, and best wishes for a happy and healthy pregnancy!

D. D

Hi M.,

As with the other posters......it's not ok to smoke around you or your daughter. Your boyfriend and his mother should know better. I am a recent former smoker (yay me!) and I NEVER ever ever smoked in the house or around my daugter.

Second....as for the ear infection....it definitely could be one but here's a thought. Anything new going on with your daughter or your family that might have her anxious? Kind of sounds to me like maybe she just really likes hanging out on the couch with Mom and watching TV at night. I could be totally off but I know when my daughter has had ear infections, and she's had a ton of them, she didn't just show symptoms at night. They also affected her meals and her day time naps and her disposition in general.

Either way......probably not a bad idea to get her checked out by the pediatrician if it continues to be a problem.

I suggest taking her to the doctor. Those antibiotics can make a world of difference on how she feels and how quickly she gets through the infection! Also, as others have said, there's the chance it could be something else so having the doctor take a look is always a good idea.

I quit smoking right before I got pregnant with my first child, as I didn't want my kids to be exposed to that in any way. No one is allowed to smoke in my house and I don't stay long with my kids in places where smoking is allowed. Most people I've encountered are respectful of my kids and go outside to smoke or refrain while we're visiting. I'm surprised to see that there are still people out there who would smoke around children now that we know the health risks that come from it!

Meliisa
First of all tell your boyfriend and his mother that it is NOT
ok to smoke around her or you for that matter being pregnant.
I hope they don't smoke around you as it will harm you an could harm the baby.
Tell them to read up on people who die from second hand smoke.
I would call the Dr as it seems she does have an ear infection.
That is a big sign when kids and babies wake up at night crying or complaing. If your boyfriend and his mother don't care about thier health they should atleast care about the kids and you.

I don't think that it is EVER ok to smoke around children!!!!!! Children that live with second hand smoke develop allergies, asthma, bronchitis, etc. DON"T FOOL YOURSELF!!! You can also stunt your child's growth. This is not fair to your child & she won't have much of a voice on this topic until she's an adult, so it is your job to look out for her now!

In regards to the ear infection, I would get some antibiotics. But I know that pediatricians these days are trying a 'wait and see' approach, which means they will give you a perscription, and you would wait a day or two before filling it to see if the infection goes away by itself. You have to make the judgement based on how much pain your daughter is in. I would definately go to see the doctor.

My daughter just had her first ear infection last month ( she is also three) and I did take her to the doctor and they decided to put her on antibiotics. Everything I have read on the internet says an ear infection will go away on its own without causing any damage, unless it is chronic ear infections. I would give your doctor a call and at least make sure it is an ear infection and see what they suggest. I also used ear drops called Similasan, that you can buy at Walgreens. My daughter was fine the same day I started the ear drops and antibiotics. Ear infections are caused by colds or allergies from fluid build up and I think kids who are exposed to smoking are more prone to ear infections, but I'm not sure if it causes them. Your boyfriend should stop smoking around you and your daughter, especially once your new baby is born. Second hand smoke is not good for anyone. My husband is a smoker, but he never smokes in the house or around our kids.

I hope you got antibiotics, ear infections wont go away on their own and you only run the risk of having the ear drum rupture and that is just dangerous. I hope she is doing better.
M.

M.,

It looks like you have received much advice but I had to respond. It is not okay to smoke around you or your daughter. It sounds complicated for you with your living situation but the best thing for you, your baby and your daughter is to stay away from smoke. It can cause ear infections among other things like asthma. My daughter has asthma and we don't smoke, have pets, nor is she around smoke but if she were she would have many more flareups. I hope your boyfriend and his mother understand and make changes but if they don't you have to do what is best for you and your children.

My daughter had ear infections all the time (she had to have tubes). Call the doctor. I was told not to use the ear drops that you can buy over the counter. The ENT told me it could make it worse. One of the leading causes of ear infections in children is second hand smoke. Also they should not smoke around baby (when it comes), because one of the causes of SIDs is second hand smoke.
Good luck ear infections suck.
J.