Infant with ear infection or ???

[Brittny27]

I have a 12 week old and Saturday night she started grabbing at her right ear.  I know usually when a baby pulls on their ear it means an infection. I mentioned it to BF and he thinks it's just that she's discovered her ear now.

It snowed 6 inches Sunday night and I can't get her to the Dr. My car will not go in snow because it's so low to the ground it gets stuck. Plus it's very dangerous out there right now and just don't want to take her out.

What do you think should I call the Ped or is she just discovering her ear now.

[Brittny27]

She hasn't been any more fuzzier than usual. Her cheeks and nose have been rosy red. She's been drooling like crazy but seems happy. I bet she's started teething she's sucking on her fists like crazy even after nursing.

I'll keep an eye on her and if she gets really fussy ill call the ped.

Thanks ladies

[Limonada]

It sounds like teething to me - Gil is always grabbing his ears lately and I know for a fact that he's cutting one of his bottom teeth (this'll be his 6th tooth).  He's also got flushed cheeks and is a bit fussier than usual - but nothing that cuddles, some Tylenol and Orajel can't fix.

I think that ear infections in infants generally present, not only with them grabbing their ears, but them crying quite persistently and uncontrollably.

[LosingMyMindInGA]

If she's not fussy, running a fever or having any other signs of infections I'd be inclined to think she's just discovered her ear.

[30something13]

oh so you know all to well then, lets hope she does not follow in mums foot prints

hope she feels better, or does now tis is a few days late

[Brittny27]

Thanks. I had cronic ear infections as a child and tubes numerouse times so I do worry she might have the same problem.

I'll take her temp and see if she has a fever or not.  She hasn't felt warm to me.

[30something13]

you will know she has one if and ONLY when she wakes up during the night and has a fever but 80% of ear infections are not treated by antibiotics anyway. There are viral and bacterial and even bacterial ear infec tions go away without antibiotics in 4-5 days. So I would not worry. Babies can have fluid build up that bothers them as well and that will come and go and get worse with weather change and teething. The ustation (sp) tube goes horizontal instead if vertical until they are bigger, older children, so the fluid sits there but it is nothing to worry about.

tugging at the ear, crying when sucking or smaking the ears can be signs of infection but not unless there is a fever and waking up at night. Ear infections hurt and she will be crying loud!

You don;t need to call the ped unless the fever is above 100.3 for more then 24 hours all day and night, fevers get worse at night and viral infections fevers tend to go up and down more then bacterial infections. But if she stops wanting to eat too and has less wet diapers then she will have to be seen asap.

You want to aviod going to the ped for fevers less the what I said and things colds and runny noses and just go for high fevers and crying during the night or not eating becasue she will be around sickness there and can catch what others have. The other day O took my littl eguy in becasue he would not stop crying and fell aseep crying (1hr) he never crys and never acts like things bother him. The dr said that there were 4 other babies come in with the same thing, crying none stop, no fever, and cried the just about the same time of the day too! The temperature had changed over 30 degrees during that time and he had no ther explination for it. SO freak thing happen and they are fine. Some times it is harder on us as they can't talk and we feel helpless!

Hope that covers it all and helps ya! If you do ever think she has an infection sweet oil works good for healing viral and bacterial! I am allergic to all antibiotics and that is what I used to do. I had bad ear infections as a child till age 15 and had tubes out in 5x. My daughters have had 2 sets each also, so I know about ear infections.

[Brittny27]

She's been drooling a lot and today her nose is running.

She's eatting normal and not fussy. She slept from Sunday night at 10pm till Monday evening around 5pm only waking to eat every 5-6 hours and that's not normal. However last night and today her sleeping pattern is normal again.

[5n1]

is she crying? acting any different, or running a fever?? if not, I wouldnt stress it too much. If she is eating poorly, more fussy than normal, not sleeping well, then yes, I would say as soon as conditions become drivable, I would take her to her ped...Good luck