Advice for parents and carers
Parents/carers of young children with an ear infection can be advised to:
- Give a painkiller such as paracetamol or ibuprofen
- Hold a warm or cold flannel to the ear, depending on the child’s preference, to help soothe the pain
- Gently wipe the ear with cotton wool to remove any discharge
- Protect the ear from water and shampoo.
To help prevent ear infections, parents/carers can:
- Make sure the child is up-to-date with all their vaccinations
- Avoid smoky environments
- Use ear plugs, swimming hats and/or protective drops to protect the ears when swimming
- Avoid using a dummy after the baby reaches six months.