Children are prone to ear infections because the system that regulates drainage of the ear may not be fully developed. When a bacterium travels to the middle ear via a fluid built-up in the Eustachian tube, this region becomes inflamed and full of pus. The treatment for many ear infections is an antibiotic suspension that moves down the ear canal and saturates the affected area. Putting drops in a child's ear is not always an easy task. Putting the drops in correctly is essential to return your child to health.
Step 1
Wash your hands thoroughly with an antibacterial soap and dry with a clean towel.
Step 2
Lay an older child down with his head on a pillow. The affected ear should be facing the ceiling. Swaddle babies and toddlers in a blanket to restrict movement of arms and legs and position them on their sides with the ear facing up.
Step 3
Take the cap off the bottle. If using ear drops with a bulb syringe, squeeze the bulb to fill the dropper with the correct dosage of medicine.
Step 4
Grasp the child's earlobe between your thumb and forefinger. Pull downward gently on the lobe to open the ear canal.
Step 5
Place the tip of the bottle or dropper near the opening of the ear canal. Do not touch the tip against the skin. Instead hover just above the opening.
Step 6
Dispense the proper amount of medicine into the ear canal. Keep her still for five minutes to allow the medicine to move down the canal and settle. If necessary, turn the child over and repeat steps in the other ear.
Things You'll Need
- Antibacterial soap
- Clean towel
- Pillow
- Blanket
