My son had an ear infection with a ruptured ear drum on Wednesday. The doctor looked at it, said it had ruptured, and said "but it is already sealing". She didn't say anything about not bathing or swimming, and I just thought of it now. My son has swim lessons early Monday morning. He's missed the last two weeks, so I'd like to go if he can, but I don't want to hurt his ear. His ear drained just a little bit more after seeing the doctor, but hasn't (noticeably) drained for a few days. I'll try to ask the doctor, but the lesson is early Monday so I probably won't hear back in time. So, to swim or not so swim?
My son is only 1.5, so I decided not to do the ear plugs ... I could see them not going over well. I took him to swim lessons, but asked the teacher not to put his head in the water (he could still participate in many of the activities). During lessons, the doctor called and said he was ok to go in the water, as long as he didn't go deeper than 2 ft under.
You can buy the wax buds to put in his ear...they seal it from getting water from the shower or the pool/beach into the ear canal - LOVED them!! They come in funky colors so you can see that they are still in place.
The first time using the "molds" is a little funky - at least it was for me - but the second time was a snap!!! Go to your local pharmacy and ask for the ear buds or wax seals for ears..they will help you!
Ear plug and go:) BUT let the teacher know and remind your kiddo that he needs to pay special attention to the teacher.
I say that because when I taught group lessons the kids who had to wear the ear plugs missed out on most of the lesson due to the fact they couldn't hear what we were saying half the time - LOL!
If a one-on-one lesson, no worries:)
I'd say no. Better safe than sorry.
I probably wouldn't w/out talking to the dr's office. Bathing would be one thing but if he were to get his whole ear submerged, I would worry a little. Good luck!
No swimming until it has healed-
