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Original poster

EarBuddies

21 replies

Stickyears222 · 05/03/2020 22:33

My son is 3 months and is receiving a lot of comments about his ears that stick out.

Has anyone used ear buddies? I feel awful about doing so but mine stuck out and I had surgery when I was 18. Hurt like hell.

I wouldn't have bothered but my MIL AND FIL keep calling him big lugs!!! Sad

OP posts:
theoneontheleft · 05/03/2020 22:37

Honestly I wouldn't change a thing for your little one. It's a part of him but doesn't define him!
If it doesn't bother him then don't bother but if he wants then you could try.

Nirvana1979 · 05/03/2020 22:37

Firstly I'd tell the inlaws to STFU, how cruel.

Secondly i need to google earbuddies as I have no clue what they are.

Original poster
Stickyears222 · 05/03/2020 22:40

I know, it's so cruel. They keep referring to him as Prince Charles!!!

OP posts:
Original poster
Stickyears222 · 05/03/2020 22:40

Mine did stick out too as a youngster & I wish I'd had these done as surgery was hell.

My poor baby!!

OP posts:
Original poster
Stickyears222 · 05/03/2020 22:42

Also, am I being unreasonable to find these comments nasty? They're upsetting my husband too.

OP posts:
LoobyLou1976 · 05/03/2020 22:44

Hi
When my daughter was born, both of the tops halves of her ears were folded downwards. We were given a plastic surgeon appointment and they fitted ear buddies. This was 13 years ago. I'm not sure if they have made any advancements but at the time it was basically glorified pipe cleaners that you stuck to the ear and shaped the ear around to encourage the cartilage to follow that shape.
We noticed within hours that, although the 'curve' of the ear was corrected, the weight of the ear buddy was actually dragging her ears away from her head, so she would have ended up with a worse problem.
We took them off the first day.
I then just used very lightweight, snug fitting baby hats to keep her ears in the correct shape against her head, and within weeks the cartilage had hardened up enough so that they stayed in the correct shape themselves.
I'm not sure if this would work with an older baby though.
I did not like the ear buddies and thought they were pretty useless.

Original poster
Stickyears222 · 05/03/2020 22:47

Thanks @loobyloo

OP posts:
FlamingoAndJohn · 05/03/2020 22:48

I had surgery when I was 6.
I had no folds in my ears.
I remember it slightly, and I remember having the stitches out hurt but I’m glad I had it done.

Kanga83 · 05/03/2020 22:52

Tell your in-laws to fuck off. Of start pointing out wrinkles, looking old, putting on weight, their clothes, something they are self conscious about. I hate bullying but I draw the line when it's to a baby. Do nothing to him, he's precious the way he is.

jellycatspyjamas · 05/03/2020 22:59

He’s 3 months old, tell them to fuck off and let him be - plenty of time when he’s older if he actually needs anything corrective done but at 3 months he’s got a lot of growing to do.

Original poster
Stickyears222 · 05/03/2020 23:09

I'm concerned that I don't want him to have surgery so if I have these ear buddies it could prevent a lot of teasing?

So many people have commented on them!

OP posts:
BedStuy · 06/03/2020 00:00

Wow - I've never heard of Ear Buddies but googling them I'm annoyed I didn't know about them years ago!

DS is probably too old for it to be worthwhile but he developed sticky out ears not long after he was born and it would have been great to have had this option. I'd hoped he'd grow into them - his hair covers them a bit and I guess he has grown into them a bit but they still got a comment from a rude stranger :(

Foofedifiknow · 07/03/2020 14:44

He won’t need surgery at all as he is still at age where if you just use little baby hats to get them to lie flat. I did this with DD1- pain free and good cosmetic outcome.

hellcarryingahandbag · 07/03/2020 17:21

Definitely do it, sticking out ears look terrible. He could also be subject to bullying when older. Please, think of his appearance.

hellcarryingahandbag · 07/03/2020 17:28

Also, you've got nothing to feel awful about. Why do you feel awful? It's better than him looking like Daniella Westbrook.

FelicityBeedle · 07/03/2020 17:43

Buggerlugs is just a generic nickname for kids surely, I’m sure it’s not personal

copperoliver · 07/03/2020 18:52

Maybe try them and see how you go, it's better than surgery.
Ignore peoples comments or start pointing out their flaws x

FeeFee382 · 08/03/2020 19:34

Wow some of these comments are quite nasty. My poor boy.

Have ordered them Sad

FeeFee382 · 08/03/2020 19:35

@FelicityBeedle it wasn't buggerlugs. It was big lugs - which means big ears.

Amynando · 25/05/2020 15:33

Hi - just wanted to check in to see whether you started using ear buddies? We started them with our daughter three weeks ago (she’s 3 months) and the progress so far has been brilliant - it’s just one of her ears that sticks out and had such an odd shape but they are already starting to look perfect 😊 . You know what’s best for your child, I personally had my ears pinned back when I was 12 and having an operation at that age with anaesthetic and the recovery and scars that left me with is far worse than a splint/plasters which can be covered with a hat or headbands! I am hoping we only have to use them for another few weeks I would love to hear about other’s experience with them 😊

candyhorse22 · 26/01/2021 12:39

Hello @Amynando - i have recently posted about ear buddies. We’ve recently finished the process with my now 3 month old little one. I think there’s definite improvement which I’m pleased about but time will tell the extent of them working and if the results last. I felt it was worth a shot as I needed surgery as an older child and would have liked to have had this if possible!

How was your experience? I’m finding her ears are still bending / catching slightly on things but not too badly / perhaps no more so than I would expect given the soft cartilage.

Would be interested in how you got on. We have stopped for now. In line with recommendations but also the ears were getting abit sore and smelly behind xx

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