Teething or ear infection?

adamstentzel

My little girl is 6 months old and for the past month or so she has been grabbing at her ears when she gets upset. At first we were sure it was due to teething since she was also drooling profoundly, but she still has no teeth in sight and the ear pulling has only intensified. Now I'm worried that it could be an ear infection instead. She just had her 6 month check up less than a week ago and the doctor didn't seem concerned when she checked her ears but I'm still a little worried. How can I tell the difference between teething and ear infections? Should I bring her back to the doctor or wait it out and see if a tooth comes?

FTMCali13

My son did the same. He also pulls at his ear/plays with it when he eats. He just had his 6 month check up and he was fine too. He had all the teething symptoms and the ear pulling for the longest time and we didn't see teeth until one day and boom, there they were. He still does it so I'm pretty sure the top two are on their way. I wouldn't worry, but if it will make you more at ease, just call ur ped. Good luck Momma!

fusionbride

ear pulling is a classic sign of tiredness, too.

If LO develops a fever, then I'd worry about an ear infection. 

turbosgirl

my LO never has a fever with his ear infections (hes had 4).

rsideemd

Teeth can take a long time to come in. We're still waiting on LO's first and she's been showing signs since she was four months old. She pulls at her ear a lot and I called the pediatrician about it one day. I was told by the on-call nurse that congestion goes along with ear infections and a fever higher than 99 degrees. My LO has never had an ear infection (knock on wood), but that's what I was told by our office. 

Oh, and her ears are always clear when we go to the doctor. If you're concerned about it, I would call and ask your office. That's what they're here for. 

greeneyedjess

The only way I knew G had an ear infection was when I took him to the pedi and she checked his ears.  I took him for a nasty diaper rash and fever.  He got hit with 4 teeth coming in, yucky congestion, the diaper rash, ear infection and fever all at once.  He tugs at his ears a lot but since having the ear infection, he hasn't done it at all so, I wouldn't say they correspond with each other.  His pedi said a good way to suspect an ear infection is if they get really fussy when you lay them down, because the pressure makes it hurt worse.

adamstentzel

Thanks everyone for the advice! I ended up taking her to the doctor just to be on the safe side and she is ear infection free. Now I guess we'll just be on the lookout for some teeth. It should be any day now.