Ear infection? Or did she just discover her ear?

As of a couple of hours ago, one of our girls started rubbing/pulling on her left ear at the top. I have no idea if she has an ear infection or if she has just discovered her ear. I checked a book I have and the other symptoms are sort of vague and could mean a few different things. Her doctor's office isn't open until Monday and I don't want to bring her to Emergency where there are a ton of other things that she could catch (flu, colds etc). Any thoughts? I was thinking that I would just monitor her and wait until Monday morning to call her Doctor.

If your baby had an ear infection, was it obvious?

 

My babies have never had ear infections, but when they were about the same age as yours, they started to play with their ears a lot. It made me a little nervous, too, so I googled ear infections. Mine had no other symptoms--fussiness, fever, not wanting to eat, etc--so I felt much better. If I were you, I would do a search and make sure that she doesn't show any other symptoms. If not, then don't worry about it. She's probably fine. I too would just watch her to see how she does this weekend, then call the doc if you're still worried Monday.

 

QUOTE(Jess8906 @ May 12 2007, 04:21 PM) [snapback]253092[/snapback]
My babies have never had ear infections, but when they were about the same age as yours, they started to play with their ears a lot. It made me a little nervous, too, so I googled ear infections. Mine had no other symptoms--fussiness, fever, not wanting to eat, etc--so I felt much better. If I were you, I would do a search and make sure that she doesn't show any other symptoms. If not, then don't worry about it. She's probably fine. I too would just watch her to see how she does this weekend, then call the doc if you're still worried Monday.



Ditto!

 

Same here Tamara....Max had an ear infection a month or so ago and it was quite different...he spent the whole day crying his eyes out and didn't even touch his ear so I was stumped for a while. My two play with their ears all the time...and each others!

 

Mine definitely both had a fever (low grade in our case) with their ear infections. They grab their ears also every once in a while, but that does not necessarily mean an ear infection. I just "knew" something was wrong with them - they were very fussy and not acting like themselves. I would take their temps just to see if they have a fever.

Good luck!!

jen

 

Doesn't sound like an ear infection to me. I would keep an eye on it though!

 

QUOTE(Jess8906 @ May 12 2007, 05:21 PM) [snapback]253092[/snapback]
My babies have never had ear infections, but when they were about the same age as yours, they started to play with their ears a lot. It made me a little nervous, too, so I googled ear infections. Mine had no other symptoms--fussiness, fever, not wanting to eat, etc--so I felt much better. If I were you, I would do a search and make sure that she doesn't show any other symptoms. If not, then don't worry about it. She's probably fine. I too would just watch her to see how she does this weekend, then call the doc if you're still worried Monday.

Ditto, Ditto.

 

I asked our doctor about it when Landon started doing it around that age. He checked and no ear infection but...i asked him if it would possibly be linked to teething and he said yes. So, i would say possibly it's teething!!! When the boys start to get a new tooth in, they start pulling on their ears. I guess since their jaws would be sore, it's near the ear canals too so they associate the pain with their ears. Makes sense too. Just a possibility too...

 

Mine had double ear infections at their 9 month appts and I didn't see any signs. Unfortunately we haven't received our owner's manual yet so it's hard to know what means what.

 

When DS had an ear infection he was crying actually no screaming all day refused to eat and had a fever of 102 I believe. I dont remember him puling at his ear but with all of the other symptoms I probably wouldn't have even noticed that. I think if it were an ear infection there would be other signs than just playing with their ears.

Also DD plays with her ears all the time and has done so for the past couple weeks and she doesn't have an ear infection. So I think your DD probably just found her ears and is enjoying playing with her new found treasure. LOL. But of course if you are still worried come Monday definately give the pedi a call even if just for peace of mind.

 

Onestepahead sells ear scopes so you can actually look ... I think I am going to buy one because my girls pull on their ears all the time and there is no way of knowing if they have an infection without having the doctor look at it.

 

Thanks everyone. She is still playing with her ear a bit and her hair on that side of her head with no other signs of a possible ear infection. I feel pretty certain that it is not an infection!