3 Tips for Preventing Ear Infections

3 Tips for Preventing Ear Infections

3 Tips for Preventing Ear Infections
 
Your child is complaining of a headache. She’s having trouble sleeping and is crying more than usual. When you wake her up in the morning, you notice her pillow is slightly damp, just where her ear was. She’s got an ear infection.
 
Your caring ear, nose and throat specialists at West Coast ENT know that children are more likely to get ear infections than adults and when they do, it can cause trouble for everyone in the family. Follow these three tips to prevent your little ones from ear pain.
 
Help them avoid illness
 
While it’s good for your child to build up his immune system, you never want to see him sick. We’re not saying keep him in a bubble, but in order to prevent ear infections, your Thousand Oaks, Simi Valley, Oxnard, and Camarillo ENT wants you to make sure you instill good hygiene habits in your children. Be sure they wash their hands frequently and thoroughly and do not share eating utensils, or anything they put in their mouth, with other children.
 
It’s also best to avoid prolonged periods in group child care. If possible, limit the size of the group to just a few children and keep your kids home if they are ill.
 
Breastfeed your child

 
Studies have shown that breastfeeding your child for at least the first six months of his or her life can provide them with antibodies to help them fight off ear infections.
 
If or when you do choose to bottle-feed your baby, be sure to do so as they are in an upright position, not lying down and especially not as they are lying in their crib.
 
Vaccinate your child
 
By vaccinating your child, you are, in effect, ensuring that they don’t contract certain potentially life-threatening diseases. Having your Thousand Oaks, Simi Valley, Oxnard, and Camarillo doctor give them a pneumococcal vaccine, for illnesses such as pneumonia and meningitis, can save them the pain of an ear infection, on top of the other dangerous conditions. Additionally, be sure your child receives seasonal flu shots each year, as ear infections and the flu can go hand-in-hand.
 
The otolaryngology specialists at West Coast ENT care about your health and the health of your child. Help prevent the pain of ear infections by following these three easy steps. For more information or if you believe you or your child may have an ear infection, please contact one of our Thousand Oaks, Simi Valley, Oxnard, or Camarillo offices today.

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