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Cincinnati Babies
New to the Boards and Question about Ear Infections
Good morning, everyone! I've posted comments on a couple of other posts in the past, but have never "officially" introduced myself. My husband and I live in Symmes Twp., and our son, Jonah, is 5 1/2 months old. He was sick with cold symptoms last week, and we took him to the doctor on Tuesday and were told it was just a cold, and that he should be better within 7 to 10 days. Well, he got worse throughout the week, and we ended up having to take him back to the pediatrician on Sunday morning. Apparently he has a double ear infection AND pink eye. So, needless to say, he's miserable. Because this is his first ear infection, I'm not really sure what to consider "normal" behavior. He's been wanting to eat every three hours, even during the night, which is frustrating because he was sleeping through the night prior to this. He also wants to sleep upright, which pretty much means sleeping on either me or my husband while we sleep sitting up. Are these behaviors normal? Do babies typically want to eat more often when they're sick? How long do babies typically stay sick after they start antibiotics (he was prescribed Augmentin)? Any feedback would be greatly appreciated!
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Re: New to the Boards and Question about Ear Infections
My DDs only ear infection caused her to sleep worse as well, but she did go back to sleeping through the night fairly quickly. When she needed to be sleeping on an elevated surface I put her carseat in the crib and let her sleep in that and it helped a TON! She actually slept that way for almost two weeks until I knew she was 100% better. If nothing else it will give you and your hubby a break from holding her all the time. I hope she gets better soon! Oh, and welcome to the board.
He's been wanting to eat every three hours, even during the night, which is frustrating because he was sleeping through the night prior to this. - Eli did this too. Eating hurts... when you swallow it pushes on the ears and it's swollen. Eli didn't eat as much as a time and then had to eat more to make up for it. If he's eating more volume in addition to more frequently... that might be a growth spurt (we did have one co-incide with an ear infection, because E had them constantly, we eventually had to get tubes).
He also wants to sleep upright, which pretty much means sleeping on either me or my husband while we sleep sitting up. Are these behaviors normal? - Completely! As an adult who still gets ear infections, I can tell you 1st hand it hurts to lay down as the fluid that isn't draining correctly (which is what ear infections start from) gets backed up into the ear when you lay down. I have to sleep with the ear that is infected facing up... which if he has a double infection, neither direction will be comfortable for him right now. That's why he wants to sleep sitting up. It helps reduce pressure.
Oh and usually pink eye and ear infections go hand in hand, because the fluid back up into the sinuses. I get pink eyes when I have them too. As far as how long... it only took a day or two for him to start feeling better, but then again my kid never had classic symptoms... he'd just slow down and/or run a fever. They stink, but they are usually over quickly. Count how many he has too. If he starts having a lot of them or frequently then you should ask your pedi about tubes. Which sound scary as it is a surgery but were a God-send for us & E!
Elijah Matthew - 5/3/07 ~ Adalyn Rosemary - 3/23/11
*Photos by Kacy Cierley*