- 1). Visit your doctor to determine if you are dealing with an ear infection. The doctor will look inside your child's ear to deduce if the eardrum is red (a quick and painless process).
- 2). Follow the doctor's instructions if an antibiotic needs to be given. Most cases do not require it unless the problem has persisted for more than three days.
- 3). Ask your doctor if it is safe to administer acetaminophen or ibuprofen (as in Children's Tylenol) if no antibiotic is prescribed. The doctor might prescribe ear drops with an anesthetic (such as lidocaine), which have been shown to reduce pain.
- 4). Give plenty of TLC, and stay patient during your child's sleepless nights. Comfort items and soothing sounds (music and your voice) offer support.
- 5). Provide extra liquids. Some children feel better by sucking on a bottle or sipping on their sippy cup. However, there is no evidence that this reduces pain.
previous post
next post