While you might be eager to remove your baby's earwax, it's usually unnecessary. Ears produce wax, or cerumen, to stop bacteria, dirt and other sources of irritation and infection from entering the ear canal. Thus, continually efforts to keep your baby's inner ears clean can contribute to ear infections. Some babies produce excess earwax, though, necessitating routine cleanings, and accumulations can become impacted in the ear canal, requiring earwax removal.
Routine Cleaning
If your baby experiences recurrences of earwax blockages or if his ears always seem to be excreting earwax, a basic regimen of earwax softening should help. Use a medicine dropper to apply a few drops of baby oil or mineral oil into your baby's ear canal before putting him to sleep for the night. Apply the drops two or three nights in a row. The oil softens your baby's earwax so it's more readily expelled. Keep the area outside his ear canal clean by wiping away visible earwax with a damp washcloth or towel.
Removing Earwax Blockages
In general, it's preferable to let your pediatrician treat your baby's earwax blockages. They have a few tools, such as otoscopes, curettes and suction devices, that safely and effectively remove the wax obstruction. You can usually remedy the problem at home, too, which may be more practical with frequent blockage recurrences. Apply about five drops of over-the-counter ear drops or a mixture of equal parts lukewarm water and hydrogen peroxide into your baby's ear. Warm a bottle of store-bought ear drops first with friction by rubbing it in your hands for a minute. Keep your baby on his side, holding in the ear drops, for a few minutes. Repeat this process daily for up to five days, until the problem is resolved.
How Not to Remove Earwax
It's a widespread misconception that cotton-tipped swabs are appropriate tools for cleaning out ears. Never clean your baby's inner ears with a swab, or any other elongated implement, no matter how soft the tip may be. Inserting something into your baby's ear pushes earwax deeper into the ear canal, contributing to wax blockages. In addition, you can injure your baby's delicate ear canal or ear drum. Only treat earwax problems by softening the wax, allowing it to work its way out naturally, never by excavating the wax. Also, never use earwax candles because they can burn your child and make earwax problems worse.
Signs and Symptoms of a Blockage
Earwax blockages present a few key signs and symptoms, alerting you to the need to address your baby's earwax. An earache or headache can indicate a problem, so watch for increased fussiness and grabbing at the ear. A wax blockage can also reduce your baby's hearing. These can also signal an ear infection, so see your pediatrician if you notice your baby indicating an ear problem. Always get him prompt medical attention if he has signs of infection such as a foul odor in the ear or drainage.
References
- KidsHealth; Dealing with Earwax; June 2011
- AskDrSears.com: Earwax
- BabyCenter; Earwax Buildup; December 2005
- Dr. Paul's Child Health and Wellness Information: Fact Sheets: Earwax -- A Parent's Guide
- University of Minnesota Medical Center: Earwax Removal (Infant/Toddler)
- MayoClinic.com; Earwax Blockage; August 2009
