Baby ear infection - in the middle of nowhere

[sthitch]

My DD kept holding the side of her head last week and had some really bad nights sleep which isn’t like her- I took her to the drs and he said it could be an ear infection but to hold off taking antibiotics for a day to see if she stops doing it. We were going on holiday the following day and that’s why he asked us to make our own judgement.

The following day she stopped doing it as much and therefore we didn’t give her the prescription, we’re now 4 days on and she has been upset all day and keeps holding her head - the prescription was made up with water and can’t be used past tomorrow (rang the pharmacy and they said not to use it) we’re in the middle of nowhere and have been snowed in and unable to get anywhere for 5 days- we may be able to drive out tomorrow but the local drs won’t see her as we don’t live within a 50 mile radius...I just don’t know what to do...the pharmacy recommended ringing the drs in the morning and having another prescription sent to the local chemist but will they do this over the phone without seeing her? It’s not serious enough to go to an a&e, not that we can drive out anyway! Just feeling a bit lost, we can’t even ring 111 as it’s not available in Wales!

I just had an ear infection on holiday. Dh said to keep it warm. Have you got a wheat bag you can warm up. It was really soothing.

Oh bless you. Don’t panic. Even with antibiotics most ear infections are self limiting. You might get one or two days more pain but in the end it releases - sometimes the ear drum bursts but this happens often even with anti biotics.

Do you have any calpol/ibuprofen with you? If so keep dosing this, lots of fluids and warm compress on ear.

I will pass!

How old is your dd? I only ask as mine is teething at the minute and keeps holding her ear, which I didn't realise they did that when teething. Could that be the same thing? Obviously affects their sleep too. If she's really bad I sometimes give her neurofen at night which helps.

DD2 suffers from chronic ear infections and antibiotics don’t really help I’m afraid. Unless your DD is really ill with it (high fever etc) I’d just give her Calpol and/or Calprofen.

Thanks all- she’s 13 weeks. We managed to get out today and the local GP saw her as a temporary patient... he was glad we didn’t give her the antibiotics and just thinks she’s poorly (viral) and that it will pass with help from calpol- he wasn’t concerned with the head holding.

She had a terrible night last night and wouldn’t stop holding her head and grabbing it if we touched it, so I’m glad I took her to be sure. I’ve considered teething... she’s chomping on her hand like mad and will bite down on my finger and try and push it to the back gums, my Mum doesn’t think she is so I’m not sure as I don’t want to be a silly first time parent!