how to tell if a baby has ear infection?

Samantha - posted on 05/27/2009

The best thing is to have her doctor check her out. My daughter never ran a fever with her ear infections, and according to my mom, neither did I. Pulling at her ears was one way I knew her ears didn't feel right, or else she would lay her head so that the ear that was hurting was down and getting heat. Definately though make sure she's taking plenty of fluids in so she doesn't get dehydrated. Good luck.

Jill - posted on 05/26/2009

My son never showed any signs of ear infections but he consistently had them... he never pulled his ears or showed any signs of discomfort so they can be tricky. However they always accompanied a cold or runny nose. My rule of thumb was one week after having a cold that did not go away we went in and sure enogh he would have one. Not sure if that helps.

Jessica - posted on 05/26/2009

Thank you everyone, I made a Dr appt for today.

Karen - posted on 05/26/2009

My son often had ear infections when he was a baby and all the way up until he was around 4 years old. As a baby, he would pull on his ear, always be crying and had a temperature...sometimes loose stools. I would take him to the Doctor to find out for sure and always be given Amoxicillin. (sp?) If your child has similar symptoms, I would take her and have her checked out. Or at least call the pediatrician, they are the best people to advise you if you're not sure. Good luck and I hope you baby gets to feeling better soon.

Gillian - posted on 05/26/2009

You would know if its an ear infection trust me, unless your baby likes pain!!! She would be pulling on it and in pain oh and a fever as that always indicates an infection. Falling could indicate an infection but as kids grow they have to balance themselves out with there changing gravity. HTHs

Carey - posted on 05/26/2009

the way I can tell if my kids have ear infections is if the ear is red and has a lot of ear wax and pulling on the ear

Susan - posted on 05/25/2009

I really wish there was a test we Mums could do at home to diagnose ear infections! Unfortunately only the doctor can tell. My daughter had many ear infections for the first four years of her life. She had a temperature and was generally unwell - whinged etc. She never told me her ear hurt, so it was hard. I would never hesitate to get ears checked out - it can be dangerous to leave. I have had my daughter at Emergency, all dizzy, throwing up and screaming in pain, when I left it too long. If in doubt - go to a doctor.

Jeanne - posted on 05/25/2009

The only way you can tell if your child has an ear infection is with an exam from a doctor. Usually an ear infection is accompanied by a loss of appetite and fever but it could be that it's just starting out and those symptoms haven't popped up yet. Make sure little one is drinking a lot because it is easy for a young child to get dehydrated since it's a watery stool as opposed to a regular one. So I would bring your little one to the doctor and ask him to check the baby's ears and mention the diarrhea to him as well as the length of time this has been going on. Good luck.