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Coping with Ear Infections

How to tell if your baby has an ear infection and what you can do to help her feel better

by: Sydney Loney

ar infections are very common in infants and toddlers and most children will have at least one ear infection before they reach three years old. Here’s how to tell if your infant’s ears are infected:

How can you tell if it’s an ear infection?

The only way to know for sure that your child has an ear infection is for a doctor to look at her ear with an otoscope, but there are several signs to look for that might give you a clue that it’s time to call the doctor:

1. Ear infections often start out with cold symptoms, such as a runny nose.

2. Your child has a fever over 38.5°C .

3. Your child is fussy or crying more than usual, especially when lying down.

4. She shows signs of ear discomfort or pain, such as repeatedly rubbing or pulling at the ear.

5. There may be discharge (such as pus or even blood) coming from the ear canal, which can signal a ruptured eardrum. (This happens occasionally with ear infections and will usually heal on its own within a few weeks.)