Earwax, also called cerumen, is a combination of ear canal cells and secretions from sebaceous glands, according to the Mayo Clinic. Chances are good that your infant's ears produce as much earwax as they need, but some infants are predisposed to producing excess earwax, according to the website KidsHealth. However, talk to your pediatrician first to determine whether to remove earwax from your infant's ear.
Purpose
Earwax moisturizes the skin in your infant's ear canal to reduce itching and discomfort, and it protects her ear drum from foreign invaders such as dirt and other objects that might enter her ears, according to Kids Health. Earwax also contains chemicals that ward off infection that could injure the skin inside your infant's ears.
Cleaning
If earwax has become visible on your infant's outer ear, use a cotton swab to remove it from the outermost part of the ear, according to Baby Center. Alternately, take a warm, wet washcloth, wrap it around a finger and wipe around the outer areas, or pour a shower of warm water at the outer ear to loosen and soften the wax before you wipe it off with the cloth, suggests St. John Providence Health System. Don't mess with the earwax if it won't budge.
What Not to Do
Never use any small object, including cotton swabs or hair pins, to remove earwax from your infant's ear canal, warns Baby Center. Doing so will generally make the problem worse because it will push earwax deeper into his ear. A small object may also rupture your infant's thin eardrum. Using small objects in your infant's ear also encourages him to try the same thing on himself, according to the pediatric health website Ask Dr. Sears.
Earwax Buildup and Blockages
A baby with too much wax in her ear show signs that she has trouble hearing, and she may try to dig her fingers into her ear or pull and rub at the affected ear. However, those signs can also indicate an ear infection. Other signs differentiate the two conditions. An infant with an ear infection is likely to have a fever and trouble sleeping, and she may also have drainage that is clear, bloody or milky looking, according to Baby Center. If your infant has a blockage she is unlikely to have a fever or sleep troubles and she may have drainage, but it will be yellow or brown in color.
Getting It Out
If your pediatrician believes the child has a problematic blockage she may use a warm liquid or a thin instrument to remove the excess earwax. If your infant has a consistent earwax buildup problem, the doctor may also suggest using over-the-counter drops, mineral oil or a mix of hydrogen peroxide and water to soften it before you flush it out with a bulb syringe.
