Ear Infections in Babies and Toddlers

 

Ear infections are one of the most common illnesses in babies and toddlers as well as older kids. About 60-80% of kids will have at least one ear infection before age 1, and 60-99% by age 2. Both bacteria and viruses can cause ear infections and often kids will have both types going on at once.

 
 
 

Signs of an ear infection in a baby

  • Fussiness

  • Fever (>/= 100.4 degrees Fahrenheit)

  • Fussiness

  • Decreased appetite

  • Cough and runny nose

  • Pulling at ears or batting at the sides of their head

  • Vomiting

Signs of an ear infection in toddlers and older kids

  • Complaints of ear pain

  • Fever (>/= 101 degrees Fahrenheit)

  • Cold symptoms including runny nose or a cough

  • Decreased appetite

  • Vomiting

 
 
 
Ear Infections in Babies and Toddlers
 
 
 

Home remedies for an ear infection in infants and children

 
 

With a sick and miserable child, as a parent, your priority is to help your child feel better. Thankfully, there are some home remedies you can try to help your child feel better until you can get them in to have their ears checked. But before we get to those, a note of caution: Never put anything in the ear of your child unless you’re sure that the eardrum is whole and not ruptured. Signs of a ruptured eardrum are a significant decrease in pain as well as lots of goop coming out of the ear.

Garlic mullein is a popular liquid medicine administered into your child’s painful ear. There is one study from 2001 demonstrating its effectiveness in reducing pain associated with ear infections. No adverse events were documented in this study.

Tylenol or Ibuprofen are safe to give children and can bring them some relief. Ibuprofen should never be used for infants under 6 months of age. Please see the dosing chart below for further information.

 
 
 

Medication Dose Charts

 

Acetaminophen Dosing by Weight*

(*Do not give to infants under 2 months of age without checking with your child's health care provider first)

 
Weight in lbs. Desired Dose 160 mg/5 ml 160 mg Jr. Strength Chewable Tabs & Meltaways 325g Regular Strength Adult Tabs 500 mg Extra Strength Adult Tabs
6 to 11 40 mg 1.25 ml = 1/4 teaspoon — — —
12 to 17 80 mg 2.5 ml = 1/2 teaspoon — — —
18 to 23 120 mg 3.75 ml = 3/4 teaspoon — — —
24 to 35 160 mg 5 ml = 1 teaspoon 1 Jr. Strength Tab or Meltaway — —
36 to 47 240 mg 7.5 ml = 1 1/2 teaspoon 1 1/2 Jr. Strength Tabs or Meltaways — —
48 to 59 320 mg 10 ml = 2 teaspoons 2 Jr. Strength Tabs or Meltaways — —
60 to 71 400 mg 12.5 ml = 2 1/2 teaspoons 2 1/2 Jr. Strength Tabs or Meltaways 1 tab —
72 to 95 490 mg 15 ml = 3 teaspoons 3 Jr. Strength Tabs or Meltaways 1 1/2 tabs —
96+ 650 mg 20 ml = 4 teaspoons 4 Jr. Strength Tabs or Meltaways 2 tabs 1 tab
 

Ibuprofen Dosing by Weight (6 months and older*)

(*Children under 6 months cannot have ibuprofen)

Desired Dose 50 mg/1.25 ml 100 mg/5 ml 100 mg Junior Strength Motrin Chewables 200 mg Regular Strength Adult Tabs
— — — —
50 mg 1.25 ml 2.5 ml = 1/2 teaspoon — —
80 mg 1.875 ml 4 ml = 3/4 teaspoon — —
100 mg 2.5 ml 5 ml = 1 teaspoon 1 chewable tab,20 ml = 4 teaspoons —
160 mg 4 ml 8 ml = 1 1/2 teaspoon 1 1/2 chewable tab —
200 mg — 10 ml = 2 teaspoons 2 chewable tabs 1 tab
250 mg — 12.5 ml = 2 1/2 teaspoons 2 1/2 chewable tabs 1 tab
300 mg — 15 ml = 3 teaspoons 3 chewable tabs 1 tab
400 mg — 20 ml = 4 teaspoons 4 chewable tabs 2 tabs
 
 

When to come to Pacific Crest

Ear Infections in Babies and Toddlers

At Pacific Crest Children’s, our pediatricians are ear infection experts. Don’t go through another painful night! We can assess your child and initiate proper treatment to help them feel better fast, and we won’t prescribe antibiotics unless it’s absolutely necessary.

 
 
Corey Fish