6 mth dd ear pain - drs say looks fine - what to ask?

[WinterMymble]

Hi all. Beautiful dd 5.5 mths, nearly 6, has always tended to tug at her right ear. Two doctors have peered into it briefly, the most recent six weeks ago, and said it looks fine. Her hearing is good - responds to sounds well. But she seems to be getting a lot more uncomfortable and over the last few days now tugging and rubbing it multiple times an hour. She is usually frowning when she does it.

I am going to take her back to GP just to check since it seems to be worsening but since I expect they will just do the same (just peer inside and say looks fine), can I ask - is there anything else I shd be asking them to do, in their exam? And - any other thoughts?

To avoid dripfeed - She is starting teething but no teeth yet; has been rubbing her ear since birth but more now.

My dd has always pulled her ears when she's tired or a bit grumpy - she's 3 now; does your dd tend to do it more when she's tired? It might be a comfort thing?

I thought playing with ears, tugging, poking etc. was a sign of teething so could it just be that?

It's so hard when they can't tell you what's wrong, isn't it? You never know whether to push it or not!

I know, it's so difficult, especially with ears - both of my dc's have suffered with ear infections, and there's definitely a difference between when they're in pain and the comfort pulling iyswim!

Teething can also make them ear pull more, so it could be that too - it's such hard work being a mum, like you say it's hard to know when to push things, hope it isn't distressing your dd too much

DS tugs his right ear when teething... Looks pained, uncomfortable, really rubs at it and grumbles.

These replies are really helpful - thanks! It might be a blend of tiredness and teething. SO hard to know - as you say, hard to know when to push it - don't want to be a paranoid mom but otoh she's really uncomfortable - definitely difficult without words!