Natural Treatments For Baby’s Ear Infections
Being a mama, I am now surprised at hearing how many babies get ear infections. My baby girl has had 3 friends already get them, and a couple of them even have had double ear infections. This made us want to check into the statistics on how may babies get ear infections and why?
“Babies are particularly susceptible to ear infections because their Eustachian tubes are short (about 1/2 inch) and horizontal. As they grow to adulthood, the tube triples in length to 1 1/2 inches and become more vertical, so fluid can drain more easily. Ear infections are one of the most common childhood illnesses. Although there are no statistics on how many babies get them, the American Academy of Pediatrics expects that most children will have gotten at least one ear infection by the time they turn 3.” 1
What most doctors prescribe for the infection is an oral antibiotic. So, we really wanted to bring you some expert advice from Dr. Jay Gordon on safe, alternative treatments for ear infections for your baby.
Here’s what he says about natural treatments for ear infections for your baby….
“Ear infections can be viral or bacterial. It seems logical to assume that the majority of them – like all kids’ infections – are viral and therefore completely non-responsive to antibiotics. The medical literature is just loaded with controversy about ear infections and that controversy includes the basic idea that ear infections may not need antibiotics at all!
I think that many infections, including otitis media (middle ear infections), respond faster or better to antibiotic treatment. But, I also think that the negative impact of those medicines is underestimated by doctors and patients alike.Everything from yeast overgrowth in the intestines, oral thrush, vaginal or diaper area yeast infections to diarrhea result from antibiotics. Additionally, some people have allergic reactions to these medicines.
Perhaps the most underestimated problem is the breeding of bacteria which are resistant to the very drugs we count on to kill them. For all these reasons, it’s a great idea to save antibiotics for the times when infections threaten health and safety and/or when other therapy modalities have been exhausted.
I treat ear infections with prevention (anti-allergy measures such as dairy avoidance, dust reduction and getting rid of feather pillows and quilts) and with herbal and homeopathic remedies.I have some formal training in these methods, but nowhere near enough to call myself an authority. I have been trained by my patients’ actions and by years of experience watching the way children respond to gentler methods of healing otitis media and other infections.
I like to put Mullein Garlic Ear Oil
Eldertussin is an herbal preparation which interferes with viral growth and I use the extract for younger children, and the lozenges (hourly again… tough day for moms) for the toddlers and older kids. The doses can be calculated from the bottle that you buy.
I also give extra vitamin C (500 mg/year of age/day to a maximum of 5000 for ten year olds to adults) and 5-15 mg of zinc/day to help immune function.
Echinacea is another good herb for stimulating immune function and I use it for any child without bad allergies or other autoimmune problems.
Dairy avoidance is crucial to treat or prevent ear infections and many people like to replace the lost calcium either with fortified drinks (soy, rice, orange juice) or with supplemental calcium.
Pain control can be either herbally or with Tylenol-type meds. Hot compresses on the ear will increase blood flow and speed up healing.”
Thanks Dr. Jay Gordon for sharing your expertise with SafBaby!
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Dr. Gordon has been a family health advocate and practicing pediatrician in Santa Monica for over 25 years. Intensely interested in infant nutrition and breastfeeding, he was the first male physician to sit for and pass the International Board of Lactation Certification Exam and has served on the Advisory Board of La Leche League for over 20 years. He is on the attending faculty at Cedars Sinai Medical Center and Associate Clinical Professor of Pediatrics at UCLA Medical School. He is an author, highly sought public speaker, and contributor to the on-line weekly chat, “Ask The Pediatrician.” He writes a column for Fit Pregnancy magazine, has appeared on ABC’s 20/20, and has been featured in New York Parent, Parenting, Mothering, the Los Angeles Times, New York Times, London Times, and many other publications. Dr. Gordon’s website posts useful information about his approach to pediatric care and conducts regular chat rooms with parents and other healthcare professionals. |
1 Ear Infections, Feb. 2006, http://babycenter.com/0_ear-infections_83.bc, March 24, 2008.
Category: Natural Remedies
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hello,i have a little boy who is nearly 2 years old,for past 3 months every 4 weeks he keeps getting ear infections and a very high temperature,antiobiotics work to kill the infection but comes back again and again,i was told he may need gromets into the ears,is there any good remedy that helps relieve his infection rather than have the gromets put in?
Reply by Dr. Gordon:
A short answer. Ear tubes or grommets are not terrible and the light general anesthesia needed is not dangerous.
BUT, try other things first.
Address the allergic component of ear infections with diet and environmental measures. Try a 100% dairy free diet for ten days. Decrease or eliminate sugar at the same time because a relatively high blood sugar binds antibodies the immune system produces to fight the viruses and bacteria.
Minimize dust and dust mites with a “HEPA” air filter and a cool mist humidifier. Send stuffed toys and feather pillows on a two week vacation.
Add echinacea tea (with honey if needed) and elderberry extract and a little zinc. Vitamin C, 500 mg/day is a good antioxidant.
Add probiotics in big palatable doses to the daily diet and replace the milk lost with lots of water.
Find a friendly skilled chiropractor.
Give the above at least two weeks.
Best,
Jay Gordon
thank you very much,ill give it a try
I have 4 kids. My baby who is 5 months old I had to take to the hospital becuase she was choking. They said it was due to congestion. And they cant give her anything becuz of her age. Well I took her to the doctor 2 days later and they said she has severe Ear infection in both ears! They said it was blood red. They prescribe Anitbotics But I wont give them to her. And now people are making me feel terrible about this. Should I try these drops? When she was first born she had trush real bad and they wanted to give her anitbotics but i wouldnt give them to her either instead I gave her Acidophilus. I bought the capsules and put them in her bottles. And he got rid of it so fast. Knowing it was natural was so great. I know I didnt put her at harm!
Hi,
My 8 month old baby has an ear infection in both ears. I was told to get the “now” brand of ear oil relief for her. But now i’m not sure if it is safe. It has garlic bulb, mullein flowering top, calendula flower, st.john’s wort flowering top, tea tree essential oil, vitamin e oil, olive oil. Please let me know if this is safe!!! I have used it for two days in her ear now. I have stopped for now. Thanks!!!!
How young can babies be for these types of treatment? I have a little one who is 5 months old.