How many ear infections did your LO have before tubes?

BP607 · November 2013

Took LO to the DR yesterday for another reason and found out he has a double ear infection - this is his 2nd one since the end of September - pedi said if he keeps going like this 1 per month he may have to have tubes -- he wasn't saying he would have to have them just if he kept this up - he is 16 months. How many ear infections did your LO have before tubes? Just curious.

CLLDLL · November 2013

This was back in 2005/2006 with DS1, but my pedi's rule then was if you have more than 3 infections in a six month period they sent you to an ENT to get evaluated. DS1 had like 5 in six months. The ENT strongly recommended them. We decided to get them & in the end were glad we did.

mb314 · November 2013

DS had four ear infections from January through September. However, in at least two or three of those cases, he had lingering fluid in his ears for weeks, even after a course or two of antibiotics. For his last ear infection, he went through two courses of antibiotics and after about 3 weeks, he hadn't cleared the fluid in his ears. That's when we were sent to the pediatric ENT. The ENT did a hearing test, and DS' hearing was severely impaired from the fluid.

So for us, it wasn't just the number of infections, but the fact that DS had a history of clogged ears for weeks at a time. I didn't want his speech to be delayed because he couldn't hear. Our ENT strongly recommended tubes, and we had them put in as soon as possible.

Although we stressed before hand about the surgery, I am so glad we made the decision. DS is definitely hearing better, and he is talking a lot more. I had hoped he would magically sleep better once he had tubes, but unfortunately, that hasn't been the case

ashiscute · November 2013

DS was 4 months old when he got his first ear infection and then had 3 more in that ear plus 1 in the other ear. He also had fluid lingering in his ears between the infections so they weren't really going away. He had his first infection last January and he had tubes in August. I was lucky that he was already seeing an ENT for throat issues so we didn't have to wait for a referral.

memali26 · November 2013

Our ENT's criteria is 6 ear infections in less than 12 months OR recurring ear infections that do not clear with multiple rounds of treatment.

For DD1, she had 6 ear infections in 9 months before getting tubes at 15 months old. In addition to the infections she had fluid in her ears that never really went away. ENT said it probably sounded like she was hearing underwater, and that was all I needed to hear to get her tubes.

For DD2, she had 5 ear infections in about 5 months, and 3 of them took 2-3 rounds of antibiotics to clear up. She had tubes at 10 months old.

Best decision we've made for their health to date. Their sleep and overall health were drastically improved by the tubes, not an ear infection since for either one, and I'd make the same decision again in a heartbeat.

aglenn · November 2013

We got sent to the ENT after DS hit infection #6, but the ENT really considered 3 of them to be one infection that just didn't clear until he got a stronger antibiotic (they were a few weeks apart). By the time we went to the ENT it was spring and he advised us to wait and see if things improved over the summer, because DS was at an age where he would probably start to outgrow the susceptibility to ear infections by this fall. So far, knock on wood, we haven't had another one. He also did not retain fluid in his ears between infections; we would have taken a different course of action if that were the case. So, I guess my point is that an evaluation does not hurt and won't necessarily mean they will always recommend tubes. It depends on all the specifics of what is going on with the kid. Hope he feels better soon!

BP607 · November 2013

Thanks for the advice - I'm glad to hear everyone that has had tubes is glad they did it - I obviously want whats best for LO health and development!

yepyepsms · November 2013

DS had 5 in four months back to back. A week after being off an antibiotic he'd get another. On his last one, he had two rounds of oral antibiotic and then a round of antibiotic shots (one per day for three days) and still didn't clear the infection. Went to ENT and he had a tremendous amount of fluid on the ears. He got tubes at about 7 months and has never had another since (he's 17 mos). He had huge leeps in his development after tubes. Best decision ever!

pinitbaby · November 2013

I'm usually a lurker but thought I'd give my two cents. My girlfriends DD is 18 months old and just got tubes a few days ago. Her ear infections started around 8 months old I believe and she'd have one every 5 or 6 weeks until a month ago when they finally decided to send her to the specialist.

Meery82 · November 2013

I've been thinking about posting this. DS is on the fence of needing tubes. He's probably had 6 or so infections over the last year. He still had fluid behind the drums during our last check up. We've been treating the fluid with Zyrtec and get another check up next week. If he does need tubes, I'm hoping we can get it done before the end of the year before I have to switch to terrible insurance.

tree2583 · November 2013

DS has 6 between October and February of last year. He got them a week before he turned 1. We were are the doctor every 2-3 weeks for antibiotics. After he got the tubes, we saw a complete turn around. Since March, he has gained 5 pounds and eats like a monster! He is a happy little guy!

izziebee · November 2013

for DS1 it wasn't so much how many but rather the fact that it never seemed to clear up entirely. I believe we went on for about 4 months of back and forth to the Dr. along with a few antibiotic prescriptions plus a series of shots before we decided enough is enough and went for the tubes. Best thing ever! I swear, if DS2 gets so much as one ear infection I'm fighting for the referral to the specialist, I'm not going through that again!

JenLy2012 · November 2013

My LO is having tubes on Tuesday and she has had 8 ear infections in 6 months. My pediatrician said if they are back to back or once they have more than 6 they should at least see a ENT.

Want a personalized experience?

How many ear infections did your LO have before tubes?

Re: How many ear infections did your LO have before tubes?

Choose Another Board

Search Boards