Teething? Ear infection? Or nothing....WWYD?

JBDamonM · September 2013

So LO has had a HORRIBLE past few nights. Two of the three only wanting to sleep if being held, boycotting her crib.....waking up a lot. It's brutal.

She has also has a runny nose for 2 weeks (which I strongly suspect is bothering her at night)..... Along with all of the other signs of teething and then today she has gone for her ears a few times.

She has not at any point in these two weeks had a fever.

Is there any way this could be an ear infection without a fever?

As I mentioned I strongly suspect its teething; but don't know how long it's healthy to just go with all of this - when its already been 2 weeks and no damn tooth yet.

WWYD? Call the pediatrician or try and wait it out?

JSS1002 · September 2013

I second Kraven in suggesting you call to talk to a nurse. Also, if it were me, I'd give LO a dosage of infant tylenol before bed and see if that helps.

arschm02 · September 2013

It definitely is possible to have an ear infection with out a fever. However, how is she eating? Often times babies won't eat or eat much less when they have an ear infection because it hurts their ears to suck.

JBDamonM · September 2013

My pedi does have a nurse line. I spoke to them two weeks ago when this all began. They predicted teething and said to call back if she got a fever or if the runny nose went from clear to a color, neither of which has happened. Not to sound like a totally crazy mom, but if I wind up calling back I am going to ask to come in. I am desperate for some peace of mind and solid advice.

I gave LO Tylenol before bed tonight. So far she's been down for an hour and a half. She has fussed twice but both times I was able to get her back down with a quick belly rub which is a victory in itself! With any luck it helps tonight. Also tried it one other night before bed and it made no difference.

I've also had LO in her rock n play a lot lately since it keeps her elevated. It's helped a lot but these past two nights even that hasn't worked

AAAHinkley · September 2013

That is how my DD was when she had both her ear infections. Plus she wasn't eating well. May be worth just having her looked at.

JBDamonM · September 2013

She has been eating normally....one big reason I don't suspect ear infection.

Kate_C · September 2013

If it will give you peace of mind to bring her in, go for it. I have certainly done that before and I'm sure DS's pedi thought I was nuts for bringing him in, but whatever. I feel like half a pedi's job is reassuring parents anyhow!

JBDamonM · September 2013

Thanks ladies. I called the advice nurse and much to my surprise they told me to bring her in to rule out an infection.

I'm surprised by this as I expected to be discounted as teething.

Im crossing my fingers for a productive appointment.... I don't believe she has an infection - but am hopeful the doctor can give me some advice on how to get through this, keep her comfortable and maybe even get some sleep for all of us.

Mandmeesh · September 2013

What did you find out at the appointment? Hope LO is ear infection free!

JBDamonM · September 2013

HA! I found out I think I need a new pedi.

The good news? LO does not have an infection. The bad news? My dr was an asshole.

And I quote:

"Her ears are clear, her chest is clear..... she's not teething." (apparently he only defines teething as the tooth cutting through).... The teeting part REALLY urked me as this child has had every single sign of early teething for over 2 months now.

He went on to tell me that "she may just cry at night beacuse she knows I'll tend to her." To which I responded by asking him if that was his way of telling me I needed to sleep train..... His answer "I didn't say that".....

He also told me I could give her tylenol for up to a few weeks.... Um -w hy would I give her tylenol!?!?!?

Honestly, I'm not a neurotic mom. I can count the number of times on one hand that I've called them. She's over 5 months old and I have never brought her in for a sick visit until yesterday. I absolutely did not deserve to be spoken to in such a manner that made it clear he thought I was wasting his time.

Kate_C · September 2013

Uh yeah. If he can't be pleasantly reassuring and try to help you figure out what's going on, then he isn't worth YOUR time. What a jerk.

JBDamonM · September 2013

This Dr. was so highly reccomended and has been so insightful with my special needs nephew - Ia m truly FLOORED by what I got yesterday.

But don't worry ladies - he kissed LO on the head and said "Be Well".... so I'm sure everything will be ok.

monicaadams12 · September 2013

I have gone through this same exact thing with my LO. I ended up taking her into the doctor and nothing was wrong. Then she got better and now has been back at it again. She grabs only her left ear all the time. Has the runny nose as well. Ear infections do come on with a cold. However, as our Pediatrician told us.....it's all just part of teething. I feel horrible though because it seems like there's nothing I can do for her.

monicaadams12 · September 2013

Also about your Pedi....yes I would find another one. Teething is a process that begins much earlier than actually cutting teeth(that came straight from our Pedi). Also my Pedi told me that when it's really bad to give LO some Tylenol to help with the pain of teething that she is going through. This should only be when you can tell they are unbearable and nothing else seems to calm LO down. I think I've given it to her maybe two or three times and it's been happening with us for 2 months now. But it's not something to go doing all the time and there's no time limit on it....you have no idea how long LO will be like this. My Pedi said it's usually like this until they can get that tooth to cut through. Some it happens as early as 4 months.....the norm however, 6-9 months. I hope for both of our sake it's sooner rather than later. But hang in there.....I sooo know what your going through!!!!

JBDamonM · September 2013

monicaadams12 said:

Also about your Pedi....yes I would find another one. Teething is a process that begins much earlier than actually cutting teeth(that came straight from our Pedi). Also my Pedi told me that when it's really bad to give LO some Tylenol to help with the pain of teething that she is going through. This should only be when you can tell they are unbearable and nothing else seems to calm LO down. I think I've given it to her maybe two or three times and it's been happening with us for 2 months now. But it's not something to go doing all the time and there's no time limit on it....you have no idea how long LO will be like this. My Pedi said it's usually like this until they can get that tooth to cut through. Some it happens as early as 4 months.....the norm however, 6-9 months. I hope for both of our sake it's sooner rather than later. But hang in there.....I sooo know what your going through!!!!

Yeah, I have come to grips with the fact that DD will be one of those kids who has months upon months of the early teething signs, but to have to listen to him tell me repetatively that "she's young to be teething" yesterday made me want to SCREAM.

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Teething? Ear infection? Or nothing....WWYD?

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