C.N.
Dear R.:
There are awesome children's earache/infection formulas made by some Chinese herbal medicine companies, sold by licensed acupuncturists or at acupuncture school clinics. Do a 'google' search of children's ear infections and traditional Chinese medicine/Asian medicine/Oriental medicine to find about the mechanisms of ear infections from a different perspective.
These articles talk about the mechanisms for ear infections, and how there is an energy path from the stomach up to the ear, and how overloaded digestive systems, stomachs blocked with wheat and dairy combined (mac & cheese is the worst), or just weak digestive systems combined with antibiotics (which have a cold energy and which can weaken the digestive system) ...can create ear infections.
My son had repeated ear infections (due to a weak system from being premature, and a craving for bread and sweets which causes phlegm). Although antibiotics have been prescribed, I often opted instead to use this formula with great success. I also use another formula containing bupleurum & angelica herbs which has been incredibly helpful to prevent the ear infection, especially if he had pasta or pizza for dinner. I have been able to successfully avoid the need for antibiotics with these formulas, as the ear infections resolve within a day or two. My doctors are amazed and very supportive of this remedy. (They still have to prescribe antibiotics, but aside, tell me that they personally would use this remedy instead!).
I also have used some of the over-the-counter homeopathic remedies, Hylands sells a whole package for kids which I purchased at Arizona Health Food Stores...which has different remedies for different types of ear aches and a multitude of other childhood ailments (you'll have to compare symptoms to those listed for each remedy). Some of those remedies have effectively dropped the high fevers (much to my relief and anxiety).
I hope this helps...FYI, I am somewhat biased because I have personally used these formulas on those long sleepless nights and days when I need to go to work with a sick child who can't go to day care...and they do work. As a recovering attorney turned herbalist and acupuncture college president, I have become a big fan of this Asian medicine which has some great answers to the dilemmas of conventional medicine. I hate to see others similarly suffer, so much so that I changed careers to support awareness of alternative medicine where it is truly warranted.
And finally another great read is Louise Hay's book, You Can Heal Your Life. It has been on the New York bestseller list in the past, it has an index where almost all health conditions have been traced to an original thought form. It has been very helpful in seeing the thoughts which helped create the energy patterns which lead to health conditions, both in myself and others. It is especially helpful in understanding children who may not be able to fully express their conditions to you. (Asian medicine recognizes the impact of certain thoughts and emotions on the organ systems and related conditions...one of the first mind-body medicines). While this book is not about Asian medicine, it closely mirrors the basis of Asian medicine.
-C. N