Infant earaches typically stem from ear infections. Signs of an ear infection include increased fussiness or crying, pulling at or rubbing the ear, not wanting to lie down, diarrhea, diminished appetite, a strong ear odor and fluid draining from the ear. Ear infections often follow a cold or sinus infection. Your pediatrician will determine the best course of treatment, which may begin with a wait-and-see approach. Antibiotics are the standard treatment when one is necessary. In the meantime, you can take a few steps to help soothe your infant's earache.
Step 1
Soak a clean washcloth in warm water for use as a warm compress. Hold it against your infant's ear, applying slight pressure.
Step 2
Apply a few drops of over-the-counter infant eardrops to your infant's ear. Follow package directions and warnings. Use a medicine dropper to apply two or three drops of olive or another vegetable oil as a natural substitute, suggests AskDrSears.com. Never apply drops to an infant's ear if you've seen fluids draining from it.
Step 3
Give your child an over-the-counter infant pain reliever, such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen, if your pediatrician concurs that it's a safe measure. Follow all package instructions and warnings, and never give an infant aspirin.
Step 4
Elevate your infant's head when it's time to lie down, as lying flat can increase the pain of an earache. Prop up the head of your child's mattress. Do not elevate your baby's head with a pillow, cushion, blanket or other items, as they are suffocation hazards.
Tips and Warnings
- Certain measures help prevent ear infections and related earaches in an infant. Keep your child in smoke-free environments. Breastfeed your infant for at least six months, and hold his head higher than his body while doing so. Limit an infant's exposure to other children, and wash his and your hands frequently. Also, keep current on your baby's immunizations.
Things You'll Need
- Washcloth
- Infant eardrops
- Medicine dropper
- Vegetable oil
- Infant pain reliever
