Is there a link btw bottle feeding and ear infections?

REOM · August 2009

I started bottle feeding my DD at the beginning of August. Since then, I have taken her to the pedi twice for what I thought I was an ear infection. Both times, they told me that her eardrum was red, and there was some fluid, but no real infection was present. Both times they gave me ammoxicilin b/c she was so uncomfortable, cranky, not eating/sleeping, etc. We didn't see her regular doctor either time b/c the first time she was on vacay, and today was the weekend doc.

Is anyone knowledgeable about this? I plan to call her regular pedi in the morning, but I am just wondering if there is someway I can prevent this from happening. My poor baby girl

debs1018 · August 2009

I am not too sure. My son never had an EI until he was 2 1/2, and he was bottle fed. I know if they have a paci, sometimes that may cause bacteria to flow back in the ear? Maybe the same for the bottle? Hope she feels better.

MrsNnr · August 2009

Just wanted to say both of my nephews were EBF and had constant ear infections. Most of the time double ear infections. They only used pacifiers up to a year old as well.

Marchmamma · August 2009

This was my theory anyway. It seemed the more bottles Kayleigh got, the more ear infections she had. I thought it was maybe the position she was in because it was different from BFing. It was that and plus she has/had small ear canals.

mollynpatrick · August 2009

We just started giving Erin bottles and in the Born Free pamphlet it says something about special piece it has to prevent middle ear infections....I don't know if that is BS or not but it made me think that there must be some connection that either parents or doctors have made between bottle feeding and ear infections. Neither of my DC have ever had an ear infection and they have been BF for the most part. I have no idea if that is why or if there is some other reason. I'm sorry your DD is in pain!!! Hope she is on the mend soon.

brightning · August 2009

DD was FFed from 5 mos and has still never had an ear infection, at nearly 2.5 yrs. She still uses a paci, too. So for us, that's not true.

MrsCorbin · August 2009

DD was a bottle addict and we only took them away a month or so ago. She has never had an ear infection.

DS was also bottle fed and has only had one ear infection. I also let them drink their bottles laying down which is supposed to be a no no.

I think it has to do with the shape of the ear canal. I was BF as a baby and had a ton of ear infections. I still get them easily.

annibes · August 2009

The eustachian tube can drain from the throat to middle ear in babies because of their anatomy. Never feed a baby flat on it's back with a bottle of anything save maybe sterile water because it can flow into the middle ear space and act as "food" for bacteria.

true_norskie · August 2009

DD2 just got tubes last week for persistent EIs. One risk factor is the angle at which you hold your child when they are taking a bottle. If you hold them too flat the fluid can collect in the middle ear. You are supposed to hold them at a 45-degree angle.

FWIW, DD2 is still breastfed, takes her bottles (of EBM--breastmilk is supposed to decrease the risk) at the proper angle and really has NO other risk factors...and we still wound up with tubes. Total fluke sometimes!

DD1 had tubes around the same age. Neither DH or I have had more than about 2 or 3 EIs between the TWO of us our entire lives (which can also be a factor). And the ENT is not quick to jump into tubes. Both of them NEEDED tubes judging by the yucky fluid that came out during the procedures.

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