Mumsnet Talk

I have a nearly-4 year old who seems to have suddenly developed an ear infection (waking in his sleep regularly crying in real pain and saying it's his ear - which is very red)

We have given him calpol and calprofen ie all the drugs we can but wondered if anyone could recommend anything else?

Poor wee guy seems in so much pain

Have you seen the GP?

No it only started around 7 this evening. Out of hours GP means a 30 minute drive (with child of course) which I think would be more detrimental - unless of course he deteriorates.

plan to see GP tomorrow - just wondered if there were any other remedies which may help with the pain (I've never had an ear infection so have no idea)

try resting his head with the poorly ear down on a hot water bottle wrapped in a towel

thank you hopenglory - will try that

Oh sorry, I misread your OP - when you said regularly waking in sleep I assumed over several days.

Neurofen definitely better than calpol for ear infections though, so concentrate on that. It's awful though, isn't it

Try a warm flannel over the sore ear and consider out of hours gp. I have an ear infection at the moment and the pain on the first day, before the antibiotics kicked in, was dreadful. Had to take maximum dose of painkillers possible, which I have only done twice before: after wisdom tooth extraction and post-birth. I really hope you son gets better very soon.

Thank you - the ibuprofen seems to have kicked in and he seems to be sleeping fitfully (for now). Would def consider out of hours GP if he gets worse.

Ps sui I hope you get better soon.

When my DS had a ear infection once, he found it more soothing sleeping upright for some reason, every time I would lay him on the pillow, he would scream.
You may need to take him to the GP, whether it's out of hours or in the morning as, If it's an ear infection, he may need antibiotics.

Ear infections are awful
My DS gets them when teething. We were advices to elevate his pillow so when he was led down less pressure was going to his ears. Ibuprofen & cuddles!

i think i would get him to the out of hours GP. When DS who is also 4 had one the pain just seemed to increase until he was screaming with it. (Ended up in A&E). He might need antibiotics so the sooner you get them, the sooner the infection is cleared up.

Wifey that probably explains why my DS, would scream when he was put flat on
the pillow.

Upright sleeping/napping is def less painful. If it gets desperate decamp to the lounge, he can nap in front of a DVD whilst you nap on the floor!

random - we are already in the lounge! Wall-E did a good job in relaxing him and he's slept uninterrupted for the past hour. Think I'll sleep down here with him for the time being - don't want to lie him down in bed as think that will waken him.