home remedies for ear infection

[MamaG2]

i believe my daughter has an ear infection. I am not inclined to put her on antibiotics. She is 7 months old. Wondering if you mamas know of any home remedies to help her get some sleep and relieve the pain ? :] havent tried anything yet as I am at work, but dad informs me that she hasn't been able to take a nap and is refusing the bottle (which is not unusual as she prefers to nurse) and is also refusing jar food. She has all the classic symptoms of an ear infection, pulling at her ear, restless, cranky, etc. I know this could also be due to teething but my gut is telling me ear infection. (reliable right? lol)

[MaryMarg]

Lots of ideas for treatment if her ear is still bothering her! If you haven't noticed any discharge (indicative of an eardrum that has burst or perforation), consider garlic oil eardrops (soak a few cloves of crushed garlic in olive oil overnight, strain, warm a little and put a few drops in ear. Mullein oil drops are also said to be helpful (can purchase these at health foods store). Definitely do not put any oil in her ear if you suspect her eardrum has burst. Massage, especially a lymphatic flush, can be helpful to drain the ear. This is obviously tricky with an infant, but sometimes they're cooperative. Michael Schmidt's book "Childhood Ear Infections" explains this technique involving starting just above the child's collarbone and stroking downward, then moving up a little and again stroking downward (to the collarbone), up a little again and repeat until you are stroking from behind the ear downward and slightly forward towards collarbone. Use lotion or massage oil and only do one side at a time. I have found this to be extremely successful with my daughter.

A variety of homeopathic remedies could help, including Chamomilla or Pulsatilla but are best prescribed based on your child's emotional state, like is she difficult to console, wanting to be carried or weepy and clingy.

Details on these ideas can be found in Kathi Kemper's "Holistic Pediatrician" book and S. Ditchek and R. Greenfield's "Healthy Child, Whole Child" book if your local library carries these. Because of her age, getting a professional to simply look in her ear (to tell you what is actually going on) is helpful in your decision making. Hope this is helpful and she is better soon!

[ttcintexas]

I sliced a clove of garlic and put it in a small amount of olive oil, warmed for 10 seconds in the microwave, tested temp and then put 2-3 drops in the ear. Did a little massage and gentle tugging of the earlobe. Did this twice in one day for my 5 year old DD and she said her ear felt better. Did again for my 2.5 year old DS when he couldn't sleep and said his ear hurt. After doing this he went to sleep. Good luck.

[newmum35]

a few drops of silver... I use ionic but there is colloidal too and it probably doesn't matter