Urgent help. DD sick and we are out of state!

[gbailey]

We are visiting our in laws and DD is not feeling well. She cried the entire time on the plane ride. This wasn't her first plane ride. The first was a year ago and three hours long and she was fine. She cried nearly the entire time but seemed fine when we landed except for a cough. By the time we arrived to our hotel she was coughing and had a runny nose. She was also pulling on her ears. She does this when she's cutting a new tooth but this time she kept putting her finger in her ear.

She also did not sleep well but she does this when we sleep away from home. I called her doctor this morning and she says it's obvious DD has an ear infection because an ear infection is a runny nose and cough. DD also had a slight fever. She asked if I wanted her to be prescribed an antiobiotic and I told her no since we are not for sure there is an ear infection. She recommended I give her ear drops (I found a homeopathic brand at the super Walmart) and give her half a teaspoon of Zyrtec for children before she goes to bed. She says this will help dry up any fluid IF it's an ear infection.

DD's cough has subsided and her runny nose is starting to dry up. She is not up for eating much and is extremely tired. I had to snap at my mother in law to "please leave her alone. she's not feeling well. nice has nothing to do with it and you're not helping!" she kept asking her over and over why she isn't being nice when DD refused to go to her. DD isn't up for eating much but is drinking her milk and occasionally having her crackers and apple sauce.

We leave tomorrow morning. We tried getting a flight out tonight but was unable to. I at least want her to be at home because she'll sleep in our apartment. Is there anything I can do in the meantime to make her feel better. Holding her and reading to her seems to help. She has her moments where she is feeling up and playful and then just wanting to be held. I think she would feel better if she slept but she has virtually had no sleep since we've been here. Any advice is much appreciated. DD hasn't been sick often and instead of panicking I just want to make her night as comfortable as I possibly can. Thank you. Oh, the one health food store is closed but Walmart has a decent selection and I am also buy a few othe rmajor drug stores.

[lilmom]

You can make her some garlic ear oil by mincing fresh garlic and putting it in a pan and heating it up with olive oil.

You will want to make sure it has cooled down enough to be comfortable (Can't feel it on your wrist) but is still warm. If it's cold on your wrist, it's too cold. You can use a dropper to put a little in her ears..I promise it helps.

They also sell Willow Garlic Oil (basically the same thing) at alot of health food stores. Herbs for Kids is the brand we have used. They also make chewable earache tablets that are pretty good and will relax her.

I think other than that, really all you can do is hold her, try to encourage rest, and keep feeding her healthy, immunity-boosting foods.

I am so sorry you are going through this while travelling. Hang in there mama.

[kittykat2481]

DS's pedi has said that olive oil will help with ear pain from ear infections as well as flying. How old is she? DS is 2 and his doctor lets him take 1 tsp of dimetap cough and cold if he REALLY needs it, and I think flying qualifies. The dosages for those things are on Dr. Sears website.

Poor baby. Good luck!

[shanniesue2]

are you still BFing? A few drops of BM in the ear can help. Also, a warm compress over the ear can help with the pain. I would even go as far as to say that some children's motrin would be good (I had an ear infection about a year ago and I thought my ear was going to explode--I took a analgesic for the pain when nothing else worked, and after that reminder of how bad ear infections hurt, I wouldn't hesitate to give one to my child)

I think you made a good call not to give antibiotics. 1. Since you don't know for sure that it's a bacterial infection. 2. The AAP has started recommending that peds try to let ear infections run their course.

P.S. plane rides can be really painful if you have an ear infection or a sinus infection or anything like that. The changes in pressure that you experience while on the plane magnify the pain exponentially. So I would definitely say some children's motrin for the plane ride home.

[gbailey]

Thanks mamas! I appreciate the replies. We're home! Last night DD refused to eat dinner at the hotel but she drank her milk from her sippy cup. She was also laughing and back to her usual toddler tantrum throwing self. She also slept through the night. She had to wake up at 6 AM for the 1.5 hour ride to the airport but she was fine. I was nervous about her ears bothering her on the plane again today but she was fine. I'm taking her to the doctor on Wednesday. I thought the doc was in today but she's out today and tomorrow. Fortunately, I no longer feel there's an urgency for her to be seen.

I'm convinced it was an earache due to the plane ride but not an ear infection but will find out for sure when I take her to the doc. I am so glad we didn't take the antibiotics. I'm going to get some of those garlic drops. It sounds good to have that inside the house.

Her being sick just made me miserable but now that she's better I feel better and am glad to be home! Poor thing is also getting her two year molars in.

[gbailey]

DD woke up stuffy but was okay after breakfast. I'm looking forward to the doctors appointment tomorrow in spite of the snow. She slept so well last night.