How to Prevent Ear Infections

Ear infections can be very painful and are especially common in children. Statistics show that 75 percent of all children before age three have suffered with at least one ear infection. Bottle-feeding, day-care activity and cigarette smoke are some of the more common factors that contribute to this statistic. Ear infections are more common in boys and when there is a family history of ear infections.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

1. Continue to breastfeed as long as possible; studies prove that prolonged breastfeeding will decrease your child's risk of getting ear infections and other illnesses. Breast milk has antibodies that help to protect the infant from bacteria and viruses.

2. Control all know allergies. Your child's runny nose and cold like symptoms may develop or contribute to his ear infections. See your doctor for allergy testing.

3. Feed your infant in an upright position. Feeding your child while he is lying down can cause milk irritation to the Eustachian tube which will contribute to the ear infections.

4. Use saline drops and suction the baby's nose often when a cold develops. Keeping the nose clean will help to avoid ear infections.

5. Note statistics show that cigarette smoking will irritate the infant's nasal passage, leading to Eustachian tube dysfunction.

6. Keep your child's immune system healthy by offering more fruits and vegetables.

7. Limiting your child's exposure to other children will decrease your child's risk of colds and ear infections.

Tips & Warnings

• Juice plus is a great substitution for fruits and vegetables if your child is a picky eater.
• Enroll your child in a smaller daycare center where there is less exposure to germs and colds.

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Resources

• Visit Kidshealth.org for more information on ear infections.