My 7 month old is starting swim lessons next week. I remember getting swim ear so bad as a kid. Is there anything I can treat her ears with after her lessons so she doesn't have to suffer too? I know that they make a Swim Ear medicine, but I don't know if she's too young to have it. I've also heard of other people pouring rubbing alcohol in their ears. I was just hoping to avoid the uncomfortable feeling of ear plugs. Any info is greatly appreciated!
Mix equal parts white vinegar and rubbing alcohol just before the lesson; keep in a little container, and put a few drops in each ear as soon as she gets out of the pool.
Hey K., your babies Dr. can make ear plugs to fit her ears to avoid the uncomfortable ones at the store. You could buy her a swim cap. I have seen a few little ones with them on this summer. Not to sure about store bought Swim Ear medicine call your doctor they would know what your best solution would be. Hope this helps, B.
Dear K.,
Swim Ear is wonderful. I had two little girls (now 23 & 26) &
used it even when they got out of the bathtub. I was also on
a swim team years ago & we were told never to use straight
alcohol because it will keep it moist in the ear canal where
fungus could grow. Our coach used 1/2 alcohol & 1/2 apple
cider vinegar mixed. Good luck!
C.
K.,
My almost 1-year old has been swimming for three months - being totally submerged and then floating on her back for minutes at time (baby survival classes). And even flipped over. The instructor told me to put nothing in her ears as the water would evaporate on its own. We never have and she's never had a problem or acted uncomfortable in any way. She swims almost every day. You can always use a baby Q-tip to attract and absorb water in the canal.
a mixture of half alcohol and half white vinegar. 2-3 drops in each ear after swimming.
We had a pool for several years, my doctor told me after each time the kids were in the water to just put 2 or 3 drops of 1/2 hydrogen peroxide and 1/2 alcohol into their ears. It worked like a charm. No more ear infections for 4 years.
Good luck,
Deb
my pedi suggested I use the swimmers ear med, alcohol is to hard on your ears to use each time in the pool. Also they have ear plugs now that are alot more easy and comfortable now, they come in hot pink, orange, lime green, baby blue, I think the only ones that are waterproof are the orange ones. Your little swimmer should be good to go.
I used to teach swim classes. At the pool I worked with, they always gave all students and teachers a small bottle of ear drops to prevent any problems. The youngest we taught was 16 mths. It was 1/2 70% rubbing alcohol, 1/2 Peroxide, and a few drops of Boric acid. I know it sounds scary, but it worked like a charm. Just using full alcohol can over dry the canal and cause the skin to slough off or peel excessively and then that skin can get stuck in there and can actually prevent fluid from getting out and cause a ear infection. So, I would mix it with something if you do use it. Best of luck.
I found some "gummy" ear covers in hot pink at Walgreens (their brand) that were tacky feeling and just covered the ear opening rather than going into the ear cavity itself. You have to flatten them out a little, and because your child is so little you may even be able to tear them in half. The instructions state to just cover the ear opening by spreading the ear covers into the outside area of the ear. They worked for my 3 year old son and 6 year old daughter through swimming lessons this summer. I found them in the ear/eye section near the pharmacy. Just something to think about to protect your child's ear from water without sticking something in the ear canal including alcohol based products.
Good luck!
I would go to a ENT and have them make your child form fitting earplugs for your child they are great.
Be sure and let your Dr. know, he can give you some drops that can keep this from happening make it easy on your self NO ear infections wanted. good luck
Use the Swim Ear or couple drops alcohol in each ear canal, makes any water in the ear come out immediately and evaporates, so you don't have to turn and bang your head to get the water out. You are gonna LOVE the swimming lessons with your baby. It is hilarious to watch that tiny child like a little froggie. Plus, they will teach water safety hints to help keep your baby safe around water. She will likely take to it like a duckling. ;)
Swim Ear medicine is mostly just rubbing alcohol anyway. I use rubbing alcohol. I don't know about doing it with a child that young. I would ask your ped.
