Improved
6119 HealthChanged
3788 LivesSaved
3575 Lives1 lives impacted in the last 24 hrs Learn More
Prevention
To reduce the chance of getting an ear infection:
- Avoid exposure to smoke.
- Breastfeed your baby for at least the first six months.
- Try to avoid giving your baby a pacifier.
- If you bottlefeed, keep your baby's head propped up as much as possible. Don't leave a bottle in the crib with your baby.
- Get tested for allergies.
- Treat related conditions, such as GERD.
- Practice good handwashing .
- Make sure your child has been vaccinated. The pneumococcal vaccine can reduce the risk of middle ear infections.
- Consider getting a flu vaccine .
- If your child has a history of ear infections, talk to the doctor about long-term antibiotic use. This is used in some cases.
- Ask your doctor about tympanostomy tubes. These tubes help equalize pressure behind the eardrum.
- Large adenoids can interfere with the eustachian tubes. Ask your child's doctor about having the adenoids removed .