Newborn with chronic ear infections, Please help!

amother

Tue, Apr 01 2014, 11:02 am

My tiny baby has been having one ear infection after another, the day after we finish antibiotics shes on to the next infection but the fluid in her ears never clears even while on antibiotics.
She's currently on augmentin and its pretty strong stuff, I feel like im destroying her with all this.
I've heard of several natural things to put in the ear, behind the ear ect.
DOES ANYONE HAVE A NATURAL REMEDY THAT'S BEEN TRIED AND TRUE?
PLEASE SHARE.
TIA!

amother

Tue, Apr 01 2014, 11:19 am

Op again. Just to add, my baby is on a milk based formula and bottle fed only, my Dr. claims studies show now that its not milk related.
They also wont allow me to give probiotics because she is too young for it.
I would really appreciate advice on natural remedies.

MaBelleVie

Tue, Apr 01 2014, 11:22 am

I disagree with your ped on both accounts. I'm not going to give you advice re a newborn, but I do think you should seek medical advice from someone who has ideas beyond ever stronger abx.

amother

Tue, Apr 01 2014, 11:31 am

Mother's milk in ears, or warm (NOT HOT) garlic-infused oil have helped people.

saw50st8

Tue, Apr 01 2014, 11:49 am

My kids definitely react to dairy with ear infections.

I would try a non-dairy based formula first. Its easy to do.

the world's best mom

Tue, Apr 01 2014, 12:27 pm

I also used to use a pediatrician who said dairy can't cause ear fluid. However, after dd's ear drums punctured many times and her ears refused to clear up, I took her off dairy. Her ears became crystal clear, and stayed that way until I stopped nursing. Even the doctor had to admit it worked.

I switched doctors, and with his guidance, I took my next two kids off dairy when their ears filled up with fluid. B"H it has worked for all of them. I highly recommend it. If you are not nursing, it is much easier.

Vegieburger

Tue, Apr 01 2014, 12:31 pm

I can't help with a natural remedy but my son suffered with terrible ear infections from two weeks, only augmentin worked. We saw an e.n.t fairly early and he got tubes at six months and they worked liked a miracle. Good luck, I know it's not easy.

malksters

Tue, Apr 01 2014, 12:38 pm

I was also going to suggest, if you haven't already, to see an ENT specialist

greenfire

Tue, Apr 01 2014, 12:57 pm

another thing is to try & have baby in an upright position not lying down after nursing so milk goes down properly

21young

Tue, Apr 01 2014, 2:01 pm

I'm pretty much an expert on ears - my child is hearing impaired, and had chronic ear infections for over a year.
What works: keeping the baby in a more upright position during feedings, non-milk based formula, tubes (consult with an ENT), strong antibiotics - if the infections are recurring have your doctor culture the fluid in the ear; it may identify an unusual bacteria which will help them prescribe the right antibiotics

What does not work: putting anything into the ear - any derivative of garlic is too strong for the inner ear, especially for such a young baby, and can cause permanent damage

Good luck!

Oceanside

Tue, Apr 01 2014, 2:02 pm

Hi, new to the board, but I have a lot of personal experience with chronic, long lasting ear infections.

My son (who is now almost 16) developed an ear infection at 1 year of age and it took almost 1/2 year to resolve with on and off antibiotics. Eventually (after a long wait list for the only (!) pediatric ear specialist in our area of Florida) he finally got better (also using very strong antibiotics and special ear cleaning by the Doctor). The long and short of his situation is that he lost hearing in his right ear for almost 1/2 a year and it affected his speech acquisition etc. We had to have him in speech therapy from the age of 3 to 6 ($85- 2 time per week for 3 years). To this day, (despite being nursed for 2 1/2 years)he has less fluency and speed than any of my other 5 kids. Dairy is absolutely a problem - suggest you use a different formula or nurse/express exclusively.

Once we were dairy free, we discovered that not only did it affect hearing/sinuses, it also caused endless amounts of acne which diminished as soon as dairy was not in the diet. Dairy is a huge problem for so many people and a simple elimination of it (even for 1 month) will show you that its a culprit in many health issues but especially in young children's hearing. Calcium is included at the same levels as normal milk in Rice Milk, Soy Milk, Almond Milk etc. You do have healthy options and there really is life after dairy...

I would also caution you about 'natural healing'. Some of it (like chicken soup, rest, tea tree oil for some skin conditions etc.) is fine, but there is a lot of mis-information including debunked quackery (like the anti-vaccine crowd) that can permanently harm your child. Research your doctor and get personal recommendations for someone you feel comfortable with. Refuah shalaymah and hatzlachah.

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mompower

Tue, Apr 01 2014, 2:11 pm

Your best solution is a strong but reliable probiotic. It does miracles! It will cure the problem, unlike the rest of the remedies which are just giant bandages.

There is no such thing as too young for that!

Just start with a tiny amount and gradually increase. Otherwise she can have a severe relapse.

Btw dairy is awful for kids prone to ear infections.

Good luck!

daagahminayin

Tue, Apr 01 2014, 3:31 pm

Try reflexology. I've had good experience using it for ear infections in infants. You can probably find a video for parents online that will show you how to do it. Refuah Shelema!