11 mth old with ear infection - antibiotics prescribed - what else is good?

[Jen1978]

Hi
My 11mth old DS has an ear infection following a cold. He has been given erythromycin antibitoics but GP said to wait 24 hrs to see if he improved, but he hasn't so I am going to start them today. But am loath to give him them because he had amoxyciliin 5 weeks ago and has runny poos ever since and now I feel that more antibiotics will only make the prob worse. He is obviously not well, sleepy, off his food clingy and holding his ear and calpol makes no difference so I know he needs the antibitoics. Does anyone know of anything else that helps, and how can I help restore his natural gut bacteria once he is better? Can babies have probiotics?

My Mum always used to put warm oliveoil in my ear when I had an ear infection (don't ask me why though!)

Give him the antibs - runny poos are better than ear-ache....
Ds gets ear infections quite a lot and his ear-drum always bursts. Sooooo painful and antibs sorts it out almost immediately. Not fair to leave them in pain.
Sorry don't know about probiotics just feel strongly that you shld give anitbs for an ear infection.

Jen, you can get ABC-Dophilus powder in jars from health food shops. IIRC it is fine for weaned babies. As you say, it will only be effective once the course of ABs is over.
Erythromycin is big guns! Our GP used to prescribe the antibacterial Trimethoprim as a first course.
There have been studies suggesting that xylitol, a natural sugar compound derived from silver birch bark, can help ward off bacterial infections in the ear.
Xylitol is found in some children's toothpastes (not sure if it is in the "baby" formulations though) and it is a main ingredient in the herbal chamomile teething powders made by Boots and Nelsons.
It helped ds, I think...but curiously, not dd!
Might be worth a try.

Thanks for the heads up on the ABC dophilus, I will defintely get some of this for when he finishes the antibitoics.

Try using a decongestant such as Karvol to help clear the sinuses (my Dr says using decongestant when they have a cold can stop an ear infection developing).
I know how you feel about the antibiotics, (DD2 had them 3 weeks ago for tonsilitus - 3rd time in as many months - now she has a sore throat again but I don't want to bring her back only to get more..) but ear infections are the one thing you really do need them for or they can cause permanent damage

Most ear infections are caused by a virus, so if antibiotics don't clear it that'll be why.
If you crush a clove of garlic, put it into a tablespoon of oliveoil and heat it over a flame, the garlic oil will infuse into the olive oil. Once cooled put a coupl of drops into baby's ear. Not a drug, no side effects, instant pain relief and garlic has known anti viral and antibiotic properties. My friend uses it for her 3 year old now. He was on antibiotics every 6-8 weeks every winter for ear infections. He is waiting for grommets. No need for antibiotics at present as garlic oil has sorted him out!!