Spry in Dealing with Baby's Ear Infection at Home

Ear infections in infants are a fairly common complaint. Babies are susceptible to ear infections due to their immune system which is still weak. In addition to medication, there are several steps you can take to treat ear infections in babies at home. Ear infections in infants usually occur in the middle ear (otitis media), due to bacterial or viral infections. Most otitis media arises from infections that originate in the eustachian tubes, the tubes that connect the ears, nose and throat. Because Little has not been able to communicate like an adult, so it can not tell if his ears hurt, Mother needs to pay more attention to the signs. Ear infections in infants can be recognized by the following symptoms:

• Fluid from the baby's ear.
• Baby's ears smell.
• Babies become more fussy and tug at their ears.
• Fever.
• Not wanting to eat or drink.
• Cry often or look in pain.

Handling Ear Infection in Infants at Home

Ear infections in babies can heal on their own within a few days. However, to alleviate complaints of earaches that make your little fussy, there are a number of steps you can do to do this, namely:

1. Compress the baby's ear

To help relieve pain, apply warm compresses to the baby's ears for 10-15 minutes. Before use, squeeze a towel that has been soaked in warm water so that the water drops do not enter the baby's ear.

2. Inadequate fluid needs

Make sure the baby is fulfilled his fluid needs by giving regular milk. Swallowing liquid can help open the eustachian tubes, so the fluid that has accumulated in the canal can flow. Breast milk can also help the baby's body to fight infection and prevent dehydration.

3. Position the baby's head slightly higher

When the baby is sleeping or lying down, position the baby's head slightly higher by placing 1-2 baby pillows under his body, not directly under his head. This aims to expedite the discharge of mucus and fluid that clog the ear canal and sinus cavities.

4. Give pain medication if needed

If your child is over 6 months old, you can give him pain relievers, such as paracetamol, to reduce pain in his ears. However, you should consult with your doctor first before giving any medicine to the baby. Avoid giving your child a cold cough medicine containing decongestants, antihistamines, and aspirin pain relievers, because it can cause side effects that are harmful to your child. Also avoid giving antibiotics without doctor's prescription or prescription.

5. Maintain air quality at home

To support the recovery of a child who is sick, as much as possible create clean air at home. Keep your child from pollution, dust, cigarette smoke, and motor vehicle fumes, because it will make his condition worse.

When Should You See Your Child's Doctor?

If the symptoms do not improve after 2-3 days or even get worse, such as bleeding or pus from the ear, then you need to immediately take your child to the doctor so that he can be examined and given appropriate treatment. If it is not treated immediately by a doctor, it is feared that an ear infection in the baby can cause more severe disruption in his ears, even causing hearing loss. Be careful, mom, this hearing loss can later hinder the development of the ability to speak, speak, and learn Little, you know. If the doctor ensures that the ear infection in the baby is caused by bacteria, then the doctor can prescribe an ear infection medication in the form of antibiotics. Giving antibiotics is generally done if:

• Ear infections in both baby's ears.
• Babies experience severe symptoms, such as high fever, rapid heartbeat, weakness, fatigue, or sweating.
• Infants under the age of 6 months, because the immune system is not strong enough and are very susceptible to complications due to ear infections.

As mentioned earlier, most cases of ear infections in infants can heal on their own without medication or antibiotics. Therefore, antibiotics should not always be given every time the baby has an ear infection. Preventative measures are also important so that the baby does not return to ear infections. The trick is to give the baby exclusive breastfeeding, keep the baby away from cigarette smoke and pollution, and not carelessly clean the baby's ears. In addition, check your child regularly to the pediatrician so that his health and developmental conditions can always be monitored. And don't forget, complete the Little Immunization on schedule.