How do I know if DS has an ear infection? And what do doctors prescribe to cure it, if anything??

[Jojay]

I think my 1 year old son has ear ache. I don't think it's really sore, just a bit uncomfortable.

He's been pulling his right ear a bit more than usual, and has been whiny and clingy.

I gave him some baby nurofen earlier and he perked up and seemed happier.

If I go to the doctor, are they just going to tell me to give Calpol / Nurofen? If so I might not go. I don't think he's in very much pain, more of a discomfort really, as he's not pulling his ear that much and he's easily distracted with toys etc. If those painkillers will sort it out anyway, then that's fine

If they might give antibiotics or something else, then I will.

TIA

DS had his first ear infection about 6 weeks ago - the first I knew about it was when his eardum had perforated and I took him to the nurse as he had yellow gunge coming out of his ear. She looked down his ear (well, tried to) and prescribed antibiotics.

Hi Jojay.

DD has always suffered with ear infections.Usually she is VERY screechy,tugging at ear,inconsolable.I usually do the calpol/nurofen thing.Keep an eye on temperature and give plenty of fluids.If baby seems to be in loads of pain and there is a lot of leakage from the ear I go to GP who prescribes ab.I think that some docs do and some don't,I had trouble once when I saw a different GP who said it was best if dd sat it out.He wasn't the one listening to a very distressed child at 3 am though

whenever ds had an ear infection he always had a temperature and was very miserable and whingy.

DD has ear infections quite a bit and the doctor told me it alwasy hurts more at night beacsue they're lying down and not swallowing as they do in the day which relives the pressure. If the night time is a problem, you could try letting him have a bottle or breastfeed. I don't think they'll give him antibiotics unless its really sore though.

Thank you everyone.

He's not got a temperature, or a discharge and certainly isn't screechy or inconsolable, so I don't think it can be that serious, if it's anything at all.

I'll carry on with Calpol/Nurofen if he seems uncomfortable tomorrow, but I'm sure he'll be fine.

Thanks again.