Ear infections are a common childhood ailment. University of Texas's Southwestern Medical Center reports that ear infections are the most common reason children are prescribed antibiotics. A 2006 study at the medical center demonstrated that antibiotic ear drops were more effective than oral antibiotics at treating children's ear infections. You might also need to give your child ear drops to relieve pain in the ear or to help clean the ear. The proper technique will ensure the drops go into the ear without causing your child discomfort.
Step 1
Wash your hands with soap and water. Dry them with a towel.
Step 2
Clean the outside of the child's ear using a warm washcloth or wet wipe. Remove any crusting or dirt. Don't insert anything into the child's ear.
Step 3
Warm the bottle of ear drops if the weather or the room is cold. Rub the bottle back and forth between your palms to let the warmth of your body heat the bottle.
Step 4
Shake the medication if the directions on the bottle indicate you should do so.
Step 5
Ask the child to sit with his ear tilted up or have the child lie down on his side.
Step 6
Insert the dropper in the bottle. Squeeze the bulb or the tube at the end of the dropper, then release the bulb or tube to draw the medication into the dropper.
Step 7
Grasp the child's ear lobe in one hand to straighten the earlobe. If the child is younger than 3, pull the earlobe down toward the shoulder and back, toward the back of the head. If the child is older than 3, pull the earlobe up toward the top of the head and back toward the back of the head.
Step 8
Place the number of drops prescribed by the doctor or indicated on the ear drops' packaging in the ear so that they hit the side of the ear canal and roll into the ear. Wipe any excess drops off the outside of the ear.
Step 9
Have the child remain with her head tilted or lying on her side for a few minutes to allow the drops to flow all the way into the ear.
Things You'll Need
- Soap and water
- Towel
- Washcloth
