How to Treat Your Child's Ear Infection without antibiotics

Ear infections can be excruciating. Babies and little kids tend to get ear infections all the time, and if the answer is an antibiotic every time, that's a lot of antibiotics! Sure, they have their place and save lives, but over use of antibiotics has lead to antibiotic-resistant infections. If you are interested in a more natural treatment, try this!

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Raw Garlic clove
• 1/4 cup olive oil
• Cotton balls
• Children's Tylenol (Optional)
• Baby thermometer

1. 1

   Take 1 large clove of fresh raw garlic and mince it. Do not use the stuff from the jar, it is worthless. Add the minced garlic to the olive oil and let it steep for at least 2 hours. It can be stored in the refrigerator for up to two weeks. Add 3-4 drops to each infected ear and then insert cotton balls, making sure that they are large enough to avoid going deep into the ear canal. Never stick anything into your baby's ear canal. Do this daily until ears are healed, usually 3 days.

2. 2

   Check for fever. Fever is the body's way of killing germs, but it can become dangerous if it goes over 102 degrees. I do not use Children's Tylenol unless it is absolutely necessary, but sometimes it is. Also, if your baby is in pain she may not be getting enough rest, and rest is a must for recovery. You must check with your pediatrician on dosage for babies under 2 years old.

3. 3

   While breast feeding and formula, if the mainstay of the diet, are fine, eliminate all other dairy (or as much as you can) from your child's diet. Dairy, even the organic kind, promotes mucus production and sinus pressure will make infected ears feel worse and heal slower.

Tips & Warnings

• As with all childhood maladies, fluids are essential. Make sure your baby/child is getting enough. If age appropriate, fruit juice and low sodium chicken broth are very helpful. If you are still breastfeeding, try to do it as often as possible.
• Natural remedies have an excellent success rate. That being said, if the ear infection does not improve within 3 days, take your baby to a doctor immediately.
• Nobody knows your baby like you. If she is acting "off", becomes lethargic, or stops eating and drinking, get to a hospital right away.
• Do not administer Aspirin!