Babies: 6 - 9 Months
evanzmom11
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How do you know if baby has an ear infection?
evanzmom11
member
This might be a dumb question but I don't know the answer so here I am asking it. How do you know if a baby has an ear infection without taking him to the doctor? DS has been touching his left ear but I don't know if thats just because he found it or if something is wrong. He had an eye infection about 3 weeks ago and they checked for an ear infection but it was fine. And even if he doesn't have an ear infection now, I would like to know this for future reference. TIA
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Re: How do you know if baby has an ear infection?
DD1 had 6 ear infections, and the only symptom every time was a persistent low grade fever (never above 101). The first few times it was honestly just a lucky guess that it was an ear infection - the fever had stuck around for several days, so I took her in. Eventually we realized it was a pattern.
Some babies will tug their ears, some will be extra fussy, have trouble sleeping, some will have a hard time nursing/bottle feeding (the sucking can hurt their ears). If your LO is just playing with his ear and not showing other symptoms, I'd probably assume either he likes it because he just found it or he could be teething. If it keeps up and you're worried, or he's acting out of sorts, don't be afraid to call and talk to the nurse/doctor and see what they think.
DD1 Feb 2010
DD2 Sept 2011
DD has been pulling on her ears forever, but never had an ear infection until last week. I noticed that morning that her nose was running like a faucet and she had fever (100.9). Double ear infections for my sweet girl. I have heard that an ear infection can pop up overnight so even if your LO has recently been to the doc and gotten and all clear, it doesn't mean he can't get one the next day.
I would say not to be too concerned about the ear pulling unless DS seems fussy. Also I think a lot of times the babies will not want the bottle as much b/c she sucking irriates their ears more.
Good luck!!
DS has had two ear infections, and they both started off as colds with major runny noses. All of a sudden, he'll just get really crabby, and doesn't want to lay on the changing table, lay on the floor, pretty much do anything except be held by us and cry.
I haven't noticed any ear pulling, I don't think that's necessarily a symptom of an ear infection at this age. It could mean he's tired, or just really interested in his ear at the moment.
Me: 28, DH: 33
Conceived DD in <1yr w/o assistance
TTC#2 since 11/2013
DX: PCOS
Benched pending conf of Rubella immunity
Next Cycle: CLOMID round 1
In our case I didn't - she had a cold - I took her in because she seemed OFF - and they diagnosed...she wasn't pulling or grabbing at her ears and fairly chipper. Each kid is different - trust your instincts when it comes to your kid.
I've taken my first in - thinking it was an ear infection when all it was was breastmilk that had collected in her ear...I felt like an idiot - but I'm still glad now that I took her in.
If you don't have insurance consider one of those clinics they have in local pharmacies - they can take a peek - no harm done.
Took DS to doc last week because I thought he had one. He had a runny nose, cough, and was pulling on his left ear only when laying down. Turns out he just has a cold. I was still concerned about the pulling on the ear though and she told me that some babies will do that as a comfort. Sure enough, not only does he do it only when laying down, he only does it right before he falls asleep!
PPs had great info on what to look for. I just want to add, go with your gut. If you are concerned, call or take him in.
The last two times we were at the doctor (once at 5 months for constipation and at 6 months for shots) I told her that I think she has an ear infection because of the constant pulling and rubbing of the ears... both times she said the ears look perfect, it is teething related.
S never pulled at her ears at all. What finally did it for me is when she would wake up screaming and I would go in and get her and she would still cry while I was holding her. This was out of character for her. She had a little bit of an ear infection in one of her ears. She had just been to the doctor for her 6 month checkup two days before so I think that it can pop up in an instant.
My philosophy is that if it makes you feel better to take your LO to the doc then that's well worth the $25 copay. Peace of mind can sometimes be priceless when it comes to your LO.