16 Month Old W/the 5Th Ear Infection in a Row- Help!

here are some website that you may find helpful.

http://www.mother-2-mother.com/ear_infection.htm

http://www.thefamilyhomestead.com/earaches.html

I agree get her tested for allergies to rule out milk allergies.

Good luck.

I had the same problem, but I dealt with it with no tubes. This might work for you too. My son, now 5 had reflux, and the specialist we saw had us elevating the head end of his bed. This is also helpful for ear infections because it helps with ear drainage. Your ears are constantly draining, but especially if you also have a cold. The risers are sold at Bed Bath & Beyond and Linens and Things. You will want the 3in. risers. Place them under the head end of the bed. It really does work! My son didn't get one ear infection, until we switched him to a toddler bed when he was 2 and I forgot to put the risers in. After that, I put the risers in, and no more infections.

Two of my three girls had cronic ear infections. Now that we are actively practicing more holistic medicine and limiting allergy related foods, I may have done more experimenting, but what worked MIRACLES for us with both was tubes. The surgery is quick and easy. No recovery time, either. They wake up different children. My oldest had cronic ear infections for 5 months straight at 3 yrs old. She had a few annually before then. The day we got her tubes in was the day she became a happy go-lucky preschooler! Her pronunciation of words improved, as well (things sound muffled with all that fluid in your ears!). If this route is recommended, proceed with confidence!

Brenda,
I know that pediatricians are big on whole milk for children at this age. However, my daughter also had 5 ear infections in a row at 5 months with in a four month period. One of which was a viral ear infection so the antibiotics didn't help. It appeared to me that the fluid in her ear never quite cleared up and it just allowed for bacteria to breed. Anyway, a neighbor told me that her daughter also suffered with fluid in her ears from a milk allergy/sensitivity symptom. Suspecting that this was my own daughters issue I switched my daughter to soy formula and when she turned a year old I put her on soy milk (Silk Soy, Very, Very Vanilla-I actually have dairy sensitivity as well and I love the stuff). Anyway, my pediatrician was not hip on not keeping her on whole milk. I talked to a nutritionist and she said that as long as the soy milk is fortified with 35% calcium it is just fine for her. She is 2 1/2 and has had two year infections since that time. Now she can have small amount of milk with no problems, but I continue to give her soy milk as well. Did the docs suggest tubes?

Brenda, sorry you and your daughter are going through so much pain...I swear to you that I had the same problem with my twins(never seizures though)...constant ear infections, they wanted to do tubes and take out their adnoids, and were on allergy medicine...long story short we began taking them to the chiropractor as a last resort before subjecting them to tubes or surgery(I know the whole tube procedure is not really painful).....they have not had an ear infection in almost 5 years...my youngest two daughters have both been getting adjustments since they were a couple of weeks old and have NEVER been on antibiotics or had an ear infection. Not sure what your feelings are about chiropractic care, but it can not hurt to try and most insurances do pay. Good luck and feel free to email me with any questions you may have!

I'm so sorry to hear about your daughter's infections - that's awful! We had a similar situation with our son who had chronic ear infections last fall. After 4 rounds of antibiotics, his poor tummy couldn't handle any more medicine & he was still miserable. But once he had tubes put in, no more infections! I suggest you see an ENT as soon as possible. Not only because of the infections, but you should also get her hearing tested. We learned that all of our son's infections caused his hearing to fail. Now that he has tubes his hearing is normal, but at 14 months his speech is in the 9-12 month range - not terrible, but definitely a delay. Not sure where you live, but my son's ENT is great - Dr. Scott Kaszuba from Midwest ENTs. They have a few offices in the area. Good luck and hope she feels better soon!

Chiropractic care can help. Get a free consultation and spinal scan. Many children with recurrent ear infections have subluxation (spinal misalignment). I would also heed the advice of the other women regarding finding food allergies. If you are in the Peoria, IL area, a fabulous chiropractor is Dr. Nicole Lackner, at Inner Spirit Chiropractic. ###-###-####. She practices the Gonstead technique, which means that you only adjust specific vertabrae after a spinal scan on each visit. She doesn't just do a "generic" adjustment. Check out testimonials on her website: www.lacknerinnerpirit.com
We (the Burton family) have a testimony there.
You can also read about Dr. Nicole. Our family has experienced much greater health as a result of regular chiropractic care. But don't just go to any chiropractor - some really aren't very good.

my son was on antibiotics for two months straight due to repeated ear infections . . . i actually looked into natural treatments out of frustration and found an ear oil you can purchase at GNC . . .Wally's Miracle Ear Oil . . . it has all natural ingredients . . . and he has not had one since . . .

whenever he gets sick, i use it . . . and if he is playing/pulling at his ears, i use it . . .

i have even had an itchy ear or two during sickness and used it . . . and it does work . . .

just another thing to think about . . . sorry your daughter is having such a rough time, i know how difficult it can be . . .

My son's ears have been "borderline" clogged since birth. He has had quite a few ear infections as well. I never felt like the doctor did a whole lot for him as if it was "normal" So I had looked into some home remedies and then took him back to the doctor to check his ears again. I tried vinegar and water and peroxide but that didn't clear up the inner ear. The one thing that did help was Melaleuca Oil (pure form of tea tree oil) I put a few drops in a small juice glass with a slightly dampened papertowel and microwave it for 20 seconds and put the ear over the glass. (make sure glass is not hot) The Steam should clear up the ear if done 1-2 times a day for 5 minutes. (this treatment is known to avoid getting tubes in the ear) I would also get an allergy test to see what is causing the problem and elminiate toxic chemicals and dust mites in the home. That helps with allergies and immune system.
I work with a store that is dedicated to providing safer homes for our children and saving us money. If you'd like more information please let me know.
J.
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Hi Brenda , I know how hard it is too see your children sick , my second child (son) had 8 ear infections and countless antibotics before I said enough and took him to the best PEDS ENT I found in our area . His name is Dr Vukas and he is located out of Ressurection Hospital . At 15mnths old he recomending tubes and the monemt my son came out he was a different child ( it only took minutes). He is now 3 1/2 and hasnt had 1 earache since then .However until the tubes fall out I had to put ear plugs in his ears when playing around water . From expierience please do not play around with this , it can cause severe speech problems ( my sons has none) and damage to her little ear drums . If you would like his information please let me know . He is awesom .

Follow your gut and best of luck

Your poor baby!

Two of my three girls had tubes. Worked wonders. I would say it's time to take your baby to the ENT to check for hearing loss and to hear any recommendations.

I think testing for allergies would be a good thing too.

I hope your baby feels better soon.