Some moms have reported that just a drop of breast milk into your baby's ear every few hours can help ease the discomfort that ear infections cause. Continuing to nurse and the sucking motion can also help your baby get over an ear infection easier.
Treat Ear Infections – Ear infections are most common in children between the ages of six and 18 months. Breast milk is an easy solution that delivers a powerful shot of antibodies right to the site of the issue. Three to four drops of milk right into the ear is typically enough to treat the issue.
A baby who lies down while drinking from a bottle may get more ear infections: The formula, milk, or juice can go up through the eustachian tubes, irritating or swelling them. The sugar in these liquids causes germs to grow. What are the signs of otitis media?
The first is that the immunoglobulin A (IgA) found in breast milk is protective against the infectious agents that cause OM. The second theory is that the action of breastfeeding opens the eustachian tube, preventing a buildup of serous fluid in the middle ear-a common feature of OM.
If your baby did not finish the bottle, the leftover breast milk can still be used within 2 hours after the baby is finished feeding. After 2 hours, leftover breast milk should be thrown away. To avoid wasting unfed milk, consider storing, thawing, and warming milk in smaller amounts.
Children over the age of two can be encouraged to sleep propped up with pillows. With younger infants, you can give their crib mattress a slight incline by placing a thin pillow or two beneath the mattress itself. Warm compresses can provide some temporary pain relief.
Sore throats, colds, and upper respiratory infections can cause bacteria to spread into the middle ear through the eustachian tubes. And when fluid builds up behind the eardrum, an ear infection can occur (typically known as otitis media).
You might hear that breastfeeding your baby in a lying down position will cause ear infections. Research indicates that this is not true. No matter what positioning you use, breastfeeding actually works to decrease the incidence of ear infections.
A good time to clean your baby's ears, eyes and nose is just before you give them a bath. Newborn babies don't need a bath every day — 2 or 3 times a week is enough — so on other days you can just wash their face and bottom. This is known as 'top and tailing'.
Most ear infections go away without treatment. "If your child isn't in severe pain, your doctor may suggest a 'wait-and-see' approach coupled with over-the-counter pain relievers to see if the infection clears on its own," Tunkel says.
Your child can go outside and does not need to cover the ears. Swimming is fine as long as there is no drainage from the ear. Also, do not swim if there is a tear in the eardrum.
Take your child to the emergency room if your child develops: Severe pain in an ear, whether or not your child has a fever. Loss of hearing or trouble hearing in one or both ears. Pus or discharge from an ear, especially if the pus is thick, yellow, bloody, or foul-smelling.
Most ear infections go away without the use of antibiotics. Symptoms typically improve after a couple of days, with full recovery after one to two weeks. However, call your doctor if symptoms don't improve after a day or two.
Ear infections can be very painful. While older children can tell you that their ears hurt, younger children can't. You might see them pulling at or poking their ear. Children also might develop a fever, vomiting or problems with their balance.
Saltwater is known as an effective way to reduce inflammation. And saltwater could help an ear infection as well – just don't put the salt water directly in your ear. Instead, add one teaspoon salt to one cup of warm water and gargle it for a couple minutes.
While most cases of ear infections clear up on their own, there are a handful of at-home remedies that can help, like applying a hot or cold compress, using over-the-counter pain relievers or adjusting your sleep position.
If your child is experiencing any ear pain or discharge, you are advised to consult their GP. If your child has problems with wax blocking their ears you can use an olive oil spray to encourage the natural movement of wax from the outer ear. This method is recommended by the Ear Care Centre.
Breastfed babies tend to get fewer colds and recover faster with less severe symptoms. Breastmilk is chock full of powerful chemicals called antibodies.
The classic symptoms of aspiration are a cough, wet or congested breathing, and watery eyes after swallowing during drinking or eating, or when introducing solid foods (such as with baby-led weaning). In babies, aspiration might also produce a wet or gurgling noise during or after breastfeeding.