Need Advice

[brantonsmom]

So i took my 7month old son to the Dr today and yet again he has another ear infection (this is number 4) so the Dr wants me to take him to the ENT to see if he needs to get tubes.  I know i shouldn't be but i am very nervous about this, i don't know what i am doing wrong that is causing my son to keep getting ear infections, i know this is stupid, but i feel like a bad mom.  This is my first child and i have never gone though anything like this, but I feel like my son i always sick.  He does go to daycare and I know that is one of the problems, but we don't smoke, i keep his ears covered when we go outside, i try not to let any water get in his ears when he gets a bath, but still he continues to get ear infections.  And now he is going to have to get tubes in his ears.  So i guess what i am looking for is some advice about what the surgery involves, and possible some words of encouragement, if anyone could help i would greatly appreciate it.

[tessasmom]

Mar. 13, 2007 at 8:59 PM I know lots of prople who have kids that had to get tubes put in I think its pretty routine. I've always heard that kids can get ear infections from lying down with a bottle does your son drink while completely lying on his back? Good Luck

[mother-of-six]

Mar. 13, 2007 at 9:00 PM You're not doing anything wrong! I have six kids and three had chronic ear infections requiring tubes. Two of my children actually had 2 sets of P.E. tubes! All are fine now! The surgery only takes about 10 minutes! They have to stay in recovery until they start to wake up, then you are allowed to go back! At least that's the way it is @ Ar Children's Hospital!

[Gram12of15]

Mar. 13, 2007 at 9:00 PM

By all means take him in.  It's far better to take care of the problem early.  From other parents I've talked to, the tubes can make a tremendous difference for the better.  I know it's scary to think of your little one having surgery, but it is a fairly simple one.  Sometimes the tubes we're born with don't quite work the right way, so the doctors can help nature a bit.

 A few years ago I developed some serious ear problems & only then understood how painful it really is.  Warm towels can help with the pain. 

[mommymayhall64]

Mar. 13, 2007 at 10:39 PM tehre r few thing s maybe laying down with bottle  hell cant rem rest but no it doesnt make u a bad mom i had 2 kids who had to have it done and hown i wish theyd had done sooner wa a huge difference

[jodia001]

Mar. 19, 2007 at 5:18 AM

My son Logan had tubes put in...I actually had to fight the Dr after years of ear infections to give me a referral to an ENT. The procedure took 10 minutes, he had no pain & never had another ear infection. I was so terrified that I cried the whole time I was in the waiting room (it seemed like forever, not 10 minutes!).

I am sure you aren't doing anything wrong. The ENT told me that the most common cause of chronic ear infections is the canals are too short to allow fluid to drain, hence the tubes to lengthen the canals.

[ShyCtryMom]

Mar. 19, 2007 at 5:20 AM

You are doing nothing wrong. Most the time it is just immature tubes. It can sometimes be caused from a baby sleeping with a bottle lying down or even drinking a bottle flat on his back. It is not exclusive of bottle fed babies, it can happen to breastfed babies who lie on their back (on a bed, couch...). It can also be from falling asleep with milk/formula still in their mouth, or from them spitting up. Elevating his head when drinking can help reduce this. Try to not let your son fall asleep drinking. It may also help to elevate the head end of crib mattress slightly( no more then 2 inches). This can be done by placing a folded blanket under the mattress at one end. Make sure this does not raise the mattress to an unsafe level (too close to the top of the rail), if needed lower the mattress level first.

 Good luck with the little guy, he is a cutie.

 

Hugs,

Momma

[ShyCtryMom]

Mar. 19, 2007 at 5:27 AM

Oh, shoot. One more thing I forgot to mention. You said he was in daycare, if he is getting frequent colds, try and keep his nose as clear as you can. The mucous does get into the tubes and make the infections more frequent. Using the evil bulb syringe, saline drops and steam will all help keep the nose clear.

 

Hugs,

Momma