Earpopper vs Ear Tubes

Kcchiefs1

Our LO has some fluid in his left ear for the last couple of months.  We have done the aintibodics and seen the specialist.  They gave us two options:  Tubes or this Earpopper product.https://www.earpopper.com/

I am terrified of putting the tubes in mainly because of the fact that they have to put him out to do it. 

Have any of you see or used this product?

What are you thoughts?  Should we just go ahead and do the tubes?

sapphire angel

Our doctor explained that it's not necessary to put the babies out but they do because no one, especially not a baby, can stay as still as needed. He also said that the babies are barely put under, more like so loopy they don't care about being pinned down. That's also why we are allowed to leave so soon after the "operation." That was my understanding at least...

Seen the product but don't know anyone who has used it. 

I chose ear tubes because I am tired of dealing with the constant infections and antibiotics and most of all the pain LO gets into. To distract herself from the pain LO starts throwing herself around, culminating this weekend in landing directly on her head (headstand style) from my arms on the couch. The ear popper thingy will need to be used every time fluid builds up so it doesn't act as any kind of preventative where as the tubes help to prevent the fluid from becoming stagnant in the first place.  

I would possibly worry more if I had family members that reacted negatively to anesthesia, but we don't. I would probably still go ahead with the tubes though because of LO's behavior while in pain.

AJsMommy1209

IMO, the tubes are the way to go. After trying antibiotics for months, the tubes were a life saver. As PP said, they don't put LO completely "under," which allows for you to leave quickly after the "suregery." From the time we checked DS in, until the time we left the hospital, we were there an hour. Also, Im not sure how your hospital does it, but ours gave us a special number that allowed us to track what stage DS was at. Prep, Surgery, Post Op, then ready to go home, which made it even easier on me. After we got home and he napped, I noticed a difference immediately. He has slept so much better since the tubes were put in.

I have never seen or heard anything about that product but to be completely honest, it seems as if itd be inconvenient. I can't hold DS still long enough to take his temp let alone pop his ears. Also, it seems that LO would still have to deal with the discomfort of ear infections until you notice his discomfort & are able to pop his ears.

SailorGray

I have never heard of that product, but I just can't see it working with a toddler. Go for the tubes. We had them put in two weeks ago and our guy had his post-op checkup today and NO FLUID! It has been awhile since we heard those words.  Like pp said, they use so little of whatever they use to put them under. We were in and out of the surgery center in an hour and that includes registering him and everything. It's cake. We got home and it was like nothing happened.

SaranJonathan

Honestly DD had 6 ear infections in 3 months. We decided on tubes (at 8 months). Since then we have only had 1 infection. The sedation is mild (only with a mask) no tube down the throat. We were home before lunch. Honestly yes its still surgery and yes you will probably cry when LO goes under but really no big deal.

PrincessShay80

Tubes all the way! DD is getting her's on Friday- it's like a 10 minute surgery and the anesthesia is SO light, it's just because they would never stay still for the procedure. DD has had fluid in her ears as well, our pedi is very concerned that if we don't get this fluid out it will effect her speech development, that is not  risk we were willing to take, I want that fluid out- anesthesia or not.  we were all for the tubes!

Princess_Lily

I had tubes as a young child, and in all honesty, it doesn't cure them 100%.  At least it didn't with me.

If your flying, just get a bottle/sippy (something that encourages swallowing) and that will pop your LOs ears.  Don't fly when LO is sick with a head cold/ear infection, its extremley painful.

 

I still have issues with my ears, but sinus infections/Eustachian inflammation are due to allergies (usually) for me.   For me, its a lifelong problem.  As you get older you find things that will help...the SinuRise/Netipots help a lot to clean out allergens that cause infections, SudafedPE helps with pain and Afrin helps to dilate the sinus's when flying.