ds (5 months) pulling his ear violently whilst feeding

[lummox]

he pulls his ear a bit when tired, but for the last two days he has been really twisting and pulling his ear when breastfeeding. if i try to hold his hand to stop him he goes bananas.

it's quite distressing to watch, and making me a bit anxious. any thoughts?

If he's not upsetting himself doing it, leave him - it'll upset him more if you make him stop (DS used to do something similar, I think).

Just make sure his nails are short or he'll end up with an ear full of blood. If he doesn't seem in any discomfort doing it, leave him to it! Or you could try giving him a small teddy or something?

could be a habit but just get his ears checked out as may have an ear infection

I wonder if he wants to be a chav baby and have his ear pierced? (Joking lummox).

I would definitely get his ear checked out for an infection. It could be that he feels it when lying at the right angle for feeding. Is it always the same ear?

I think they do like to fiddle with something while feeding, though.

Lummox,
DS usualy settles better if i give him a finger to "hold" on.
But I think as Blu said they do like to fiddle with things. maybe you can try some nursing beeds?
have you seen those. They are big colorful beads that you can usea as necklace in yourself. Some babieswill feed better playing with them.

hi there
just adding to what was said dd does that but like lua she holds my finger if i offer.
i spoke to HV about this and the fact that she also scratches head and face, very monkey like. was told if no other signs just let it be. but i would still check for any ear infections, just in case.
i think someone in junies thread had a similar problem sometime back.

example of nursing beads here

or here

and some really fancy ones

My DS has done this since about 5 wks. In fact, he pulls on it whenever he is tired as well. Never considered it to be a problem...

Thanks for the tips. It's only really a problem because he scratches himself. He also pulls his ear when tired, but not so violently.

I've tried offering my finger and putting a teddy in the way, but he really fights to be able to get to the ear (it seems almost comic now I'm writing it but we get into a tussle with me trying to stop him getting to his ear and him dsperately trying to reach it).

Blu - it is very much more on one ear, so will take him to the doctors just in case I think.

Lua - thanks for the links. I think a necklace could be handy anyway because he is pretty distractable generally.

Trib - he'll just have to make do with his tattoo for now ("no sleep til dawn" on each arm)

Yes, let the doctor have a look, They get ear infections SO easily because the nose and throat and ear are so tiny and close together at that age.
And it may only be painful in certain positions, typically lying down.

I had a dreadful night with DS once - he screamed every time he lay down, but was fine when running about - all night. I thought it was bad sleeping - until pus came out of his ear the next morning . My conscience is scarred to this day.

Hope your little one is ok.

I had the same experience with DS3, Blu! Definitely get him checked out for possible ear infection.

Could he be teething? Sure I read some where that pulling at the ears is a sign of teething.

Blu and Dino - thanks for that. Have made an appointment for this afternoon.

GVL - it might be teething (I think like Blu said that the tubes are all very close together, so maybe he could feel pain in his mouth in his ear?)

Either way, I guess I need to check out his ears first just to make sure.

Had ds checked out by doctor and fortunately he hasn't got an ear infection.

But I'm left a bit baffled, as he is still doing it, still just on one side. I'm having to feed him rugby ball style as he is getting more and more distressed lying on his left ear. He's 20 pounds, though, and it's really hard to hold him comfortably that way.

Could it be teething? There is a little white bit on the top of his bottom gum, but it feels a bit too squodgy to be a tooth. The doctor didn't have much luck trying to see in to ds's mouth as ds was a bit upset by that stage, but he didn't think it was a tooth - didn't know what it was though.

Would be grateful for any more thoughts.

think teething is the answer meself

rub some bonjella on his gums a minute before feeding. If he settles well, then you know it is probably teething (the bonjella deadens the pain, and he should be able to feed fairly well).

good luck