Updated: I think G has an ear infection - what to do?

[pinotgrig]

I just talked to his pedi - she said tylenol every 4 hours and see him in the am. :/ He's miserable and is screaming. We're keeping him upright but is there anything else we can do for him until the morning?

He has a slight fever, doesn't want to nurse or take a bottle, and howls if we lay him flat.

I have a feeling it's going to be a long night here.

Update - his ears looked perfect per the pedi this am. No fever, either. We all slept poorly last night and I've never heard G scream that loud for that long last night.

He's at daycare with tylenol and teething tabs jic and I'm praying for a normal night tonight.

[Deleted]

I'd cheat by 2 weeks and do Advil with a 5.5 month old.

There's really nothing to do. He'll be in pain for a while after starting abx too.

[kdubs923]

Yeah, I can't see his age, but if he's close enough to six months, do the Motrin. Way better on pain than Tylenol. And token is right, it can take 24-48 hours for the antibiotics to help, so keep up on the pain meds. When desperate (generally nighttime), I've used both Motrin and Tylenol, alternating.

We've spent many nights sleeping upright in the recliner. There's not much to do to alieviate the pain, so baby is miserable and mom feels helpless. Sorry, ear infections suck.

[pinotgrig]

I specifically asked the pedi about Motrin and she said no. G is small - does weight have something to do with it?

I'm not sure we can get him to sleep. I may lose my mind tonight.

[pinotgrig]

Also, how can I nurse him, just try to do it more upright?

[lilac05]

Yes, med doses are by weight, not age. If your pedi specifically said no, I'd follow that. It sucks so much when they're in pain.

Do you have a recliner? You can lay back in that and try laying him on your stomach, feet pointing towards yours so he's basically directly facing you to nurse. It's a little awkward, but keeps baby more upright. Or try nursing in a carrier. (or leaning way back against a pile of pillows on your bed.

Good luck! I hope he is feeling better soon!

[kdubs923]

Ooh, tough about the Motrin. I would listen to your doctor. Sorry it's not an option at the moment.

When DS had ear infections while we were still nursing, he'd prefer a bottle. The sucking hurts their ears and bottles were faster/easier for him. Not sure if it will be the case for you.

[pinotgrig]

Bump - update in op

AND my pedi prefers to wait until 1 year old for Motrin. Sob.

[Deleted]

Dec 1, 2014 11:31:58 GMT -5 pinotgrig said:

Bump - update in op

AND my pedi prefers to wait until 1 year old for Motrin. Sob.

Why?

You don't HAVE to listen to this if you don't agree with her reasoning, btw.

[pinotgrig]

Dec 1, 2014 11:48:14 GMT -5 @tokenhoser said:

Dec 1, 2014 11:31:58 GMT -5 pinotgrig said:

Bump - update in op

AND my pedi prefers to wait until 1 year old for Motrin. Sob.

Why?

You don't HAVE to listen to this if you don't agree with her reasoning, btw.

She said it's "hard on their little kidneys". I am considering disregarding her advice at the 6 month mark, depending on how teething goes.

[sjh722]

I'm sorry. We were in for a few ear checks when she was screaming inconsolably and ears were perfect, it was teeth.

I would give motrin at 6 months. It is harder on kidneys than Tylenol, but if you're not mega-dosing him and he has no history of kidney problems, I wouldn't be worried about doses for teething.