Pressure equalizing, or PE tubes, are small plastic tubes placed in the ear to improve drainage and prevent recurring ear infections. Children are most often the recipients of ear tubes; The Ear Center of Greensboro, South Carolina reports that infants as young as 6 months old can retain fluid in the ears which can lead to ear infections. After a child has PE tubes placed in his ears, ear drops are used as a precautionary step to prevent infections. Parents and caregivers must learn to instill the drops in the ears correctly to avoid complications.
Step 1
Fill the medicine dropper to the appropriate dosage of ear drops and place on a safe, flat surface before you pick up your infant. The prescription will detail how much medication you should be giving your child.
Step 2
Place your baby in your lap on his stomach and turn his head so that the affected ear is facing the ceiling. You might want an additional person to hold your child's head if your infant is very squirmy or resistant to treatment.
Step 3
Wipe your infant's ear with a soft, damp washcloth to remove and drainage that has occurred since the last dose of ear drops.
Step 4
Insert the medicine dropper into your child's ear, without forcing it, and release the medication into the ear canal.
Step 5
Press down firmly but gently on the small knob of cartilage in front of your infant's ear so that it covers the opening of the ear. The Ear Center of Greensboro, South Carolina, explains that pushing on this area, called the tragus, helps the antibiotics move further down into the ear. Three firm pushes is sufficient to deliver the medication to its destination.
Tips and Warnings
- Use the ear drops as directed by your baby's pediatrician or surgeon. Most often, ear drops prescribed post-installation of PE tubes are required for only a few days after the procedure to prevent infection.
- The University of Florida Medical School's Department of Otolarygology warns that baby's ears and ear tubes must remain dry during bathing to ensure the continued functionality of the tubes. Keep your infant's head above the water at all times. Protect the ears by putting cotton balls coated with petroleum jelly in your child's ears.
Things You'll Need
- Washcloth
- Ear drops
- Medicine dropper
- Cotton balls
- Petroleum jelly
