Anna got an ear infection after the flu. She was on abx for 10 days and JUST finished that on Wednesday. I have been giving her benedryl nightly because that is what the pedi suggested the first time she had an ear infection, to keep her dried out. Bill put them to bed last night and he forgot to give it to her. Tonight she complained her ear hurts again, and she is running a low grade. I am sure it is another ear infection. (I'll call the pedi first thing and see if we can squeeze her in tomorrow)
Anyway, she is a finger sucker. Not a thumb sucker-a finger sucker. She has a ritual that has been the same for years. She bites her blanket to get it wet, then puts her left index finger in her mouth (upside down) and sucks on it with the pad of the finger on the roof of her mouth. While she sucks on the finger, she rubs the wet blanket across the skin between her nose and upper lip. Yes, it is bizarre and IHNI where she came up with it. I have been trying to get her to stop for a long time-at least we had it contained to bedtime only, but she stays awake for a long time doing it, and her skin gets rubbed raw in the wintertime.
So they say that paci use with infants can contribute to ear infections-I am wondering, could finger sucking be the same kind of thing? She lost her blankets today (for behavior issues-they were taken away), so she is sleeping without them for the first time tonight. Had I known her ear was bothering her, I would have just taken all but one or something, but she WANTS to stop-she just can't do it-it is too ingrained. So we will see how it goes tonight with no blankets. But I am wondering if I should stick with this and see if I might be able to break her of the habit, or if that isn't an issue anyway? (IDT she will suck her finger without the blanket)
hmm, never heard of this, but i just found this online:
"The bottle, pacifier, thumb-sucking and spill-proof cups have a lot to do with ear infections. A baby or infant sucks out of hard-to-suck cups, bottles, pacifiers, thumbs and when breastfeeding.
During sucking, the soft palate (roof of the mouth) pulls on the sinus bed and then pulls the thick mucous in the sinuses back towards the ear tubes. Fluid can then fill the middle ear and surround all the little bones in the ear. If this fluid cannot drain, it results in an increase of pressure and your child can feel pain."
let us know how she does with no blanket. that sounds like it might be a tough habit to break!!
I think it depends on the kid. Stephen and Raven were paci kids and he had lots of ear infections and she had two. My niece is a finger sucker(two in the mouth) still at 8 years old. She didn't have that many ear infections.
hmm, never heard of this, but i just found this online:
"The bottle, pacifier, thumb-sucking and spill-proof cups have a lot to do with ear infections. A baby or infant sucks out of hard-to-suck cups, bottles, pacifiers, thumbs and when breastfeeding.
During sucking, the soft palate (roof of the mouth) pulls on the sinus bed and then pulls the thick mucous in the sinuses back towards the ear tubes. Fluid can then fill the middle ear and surround all the little bones in the ear. If this fluid cannot drain, it results in an increase of pressure and your child can feel pain."
let us know how she does with no blanket. that sounds like it might be a tough habit to break!!
VERY interesting. Makes total sense too. And between the flu congestion and her normal congestion, she definitely has a lot of mucus. And the way she sucks, her finger pad is RIGHT on the roof of her mouth.
She fell asleep (she was EXHAUSTED. She didn't fall asleep last night until almost 11pm-she was keyed up from roughhousing with her cousin-and maybe she was already feeling some pain-IDK), she was up at normal time, and she didn't nap today-she just sucked her finger the whole time. Maybe she was trying to relieve pain or comfort herself, IDK. At any rate, she was SO TIRED. I gave her benadryl before bed, but no pain reliever, so we'll see if she can stay asleep all night. I kind of doubt it, but if she wakes up, I'll give her some tylenol and see if it helps.
But even without the blanket, she is asleep with her finger in her mouth. *sigh*
I made an appointment for her to see our chiro on Tuesday-she does both chiro and craniosacral therapy, and she has treated them in the past. But never in Anna's mouth. She did with Kate when she was a baby, but said you either have to work in their mouths before they have teeth or when they get old enough to not instinctively bite down on you-maybe Anna is old enough now that she could work on her that way (she wears gloves, obviously, lol). IDK-but we have to try something-I don't want her to have ear infections all winter long!!!
I think it depends on the kid. Stephen and Raven were paci kids and he had lots of ear infections and she had two. My niece is a finger sucker(two in the mouth) still at 8 years old. She didn't have that many ear infections.
I think you are right. Anna either has allergies or just gets a cold a lot because she is CONSTANTLY congested this time of year-and this is the same time of year she had her first ear infection (last year), so I think she is full of mucus, and probably not draining fluid well enough anyway.
Kate was my paci kid, and she hasn't had an ear infection yet!!
I think it depends on the kid. Allie is a thumb sucker at night and she has never had one ear infection since birth. She also hardly gets ill (knock on wood, knock on wood)
I have read what Kelly posted before, but it never rang true for us.
I think ear infections reccuring is pretty common. If she has been ill and has all that congestion it does tend to drain. There have been many kids since this flu hit have secondary infections and they have been taking time to shake. A lot of sinus infections, ears, etc.
I think it depends on the kid. Allie is a thumb sucker at night and she has never had one ear infection since birth. She also hardly gets ill (knock on wood, knock on wood)
I have read what Kelly posted before, but it never rang true for us.
I think ear infections reccuring is pretty common. If she has been ill and has all that congestion it does tend to drain. There have been many kids since this flu hit have secondary infections and they have been taking time to shake. A lot of sinus infections, ears, etc.
Yeah-both my girls have dealt with secondary things (and Bill is STILL coughing, but he refuses to go to the doctor) since the flu. It sucks!!!!
My niece has had a recurrent ear infection this fall also, and my SIL said another friend of hers said the same thing! Seems it is really a problem.
Definitely kid specific though-like I said, Kate was a paci girl, and thus far has not had any trouble with her ears. Anna picks up practically every bug out there (which I blame on the finger sucking-lots of germs, despite my best hand washing efforts with her), but Kate generally doesn't catch everything.
I think it depends on the kid. Allie is a thumb sucker at night and she has never had one ear infection since birth. She also hardly gets ill (knock on wood, knock on wood)
I have read what Kelly posted before, but it never rang true for us.
I think ear infections reccuring is pretty common. If she has been ill and has all that congestion it does tend to drain. There have been many kids since this flu hit have secondary infections and they have been taking time to shake. A lot of sinus infections, ears, etc.
Yeah-both my girls have dealt with secondary things (and Bill is STILL coughing, but he refuses to go to the doctor) since the flu. It sucks!!!!
My niece has had a recurrent ear infection this fall also, and my SIL said another friend of hers said the same thing! Seems it is really a problem.
Definitely kid specific though-like I said, Kate was a paci girl, and thus far has not had any trouble with her ears. Anna picks up practically every bug out there (which I blame on the finger sucking-lots of germs, despite my best hand washing efforts with her), but Kate generally doesn't catch everything.
That is what is amazing to me with Allie. She does thumb sucks and really does not get sick.
Do you think she has allergies? If she is congested all the time maybe that could be something? Is it just seasonal or all year?
I think it depends on the kid. Allie is a thumb sucker at night and she has never had one ear infection since birth. She also hardly gets ill (knock on wood, knock on wood)
I have read what Kelly posted before, but it never rang true for us.
I think ear infections reccuring is pretty common. If she has been ill and has all that congestion it does tend to drain. There have been many kids since this flu hit have secondary infections and they have been taking time to shake. A lot of sinus infections, ears, etc.
Yeah-both my girls have dealt with secondary things (and Bill is STILL coughing, but he refuses to go to the doctor) since the flu. It sucks!!!!
My niece has had a recurrent ear infection this fall also, and my SIL said another friend of hers said the same thing! Seems it is really a problem.
Definitely kid specific though-like I said, Kate was a paci girl, and thus far has not had any trouble with her ears. Anna picks up practically every bug out there (which I blame on the finger sucking-lots of germs, despite my best hand washing efforts with her), but Kate generally doesn't catch everything.
That is what is amazing to me with Allie. She does thumb sucks and really does not get sick.
Do you think she has allergies? If she is congested all the time maybe that could be something? Is it just seasonal or all year?
No, I do think it could definitely be allergies. She is congested to one degree or another I would say 10 months out of the year. I mentioned it at her 4 year, and the pedi said to try her on Claritin and if it helped, it was allergy related and it if doesn't, it is something else. (gee, supa helpful, doc.) I meant to start her on it, but then it was summer and she seemed fine. Then fall hits and whammo-she is having trouble again. But I have heard from so many people that zyrtec is better than Claritin that IDK which to try!!! I had figured we would get her past the ear infection stuff and try her on one of those.
IDK what she is allergic to, if anything, but I guess it is worth a try, right???
I think it depends on the kid. Allie is a thumb sucker at night and she has never had one ear infection since birth. She also hardly gets ill (knock on wood, knock on wood)
I have read what Kelly posted before, but it never rang true for us.
I think ear infections reccuring is pretty common. If she has been ill and has all that congestion it does tend to drain. There have been many kids since this flu hit have secondary infections and they have been taking time to shake. A lot of sinus infections, ears, etc.
Yeah-both my girls have dealt with secondary things (and Bill is STILL coughing, but he refuses to go to the doctor) since the flu. It sucks!!!!
My niece has had a recurrent ear infection this fall also, and my SIL said another friend of hers said the same thing! Seems it is really a problem.
Definitely kid specific though-like I said, Kate was a paci girl, and thus far has not had any trouble with her ears. Anna picks up practically every bug out there (which I blame on the finger sucking-lots of germs, despite my best hand washing efforts with her), but Kate generally doesn't catch everything.
That is what is amazing to me with Allie. She does thumb sucks and really does not get sick.
Do you think she has allergies? If she is congested all the time maybe that could be something? Is it just seasonal or all year?
No, I do think it could definitely be allergies. She is congested to one degree or another I would say 10 months out of the year. I mentioned it at her 4 year, and the pedi said to try her on Claritin and if it helped, it was allergy related and it if doesn't, it is something else. (gee, supa helpful, doc.) I meant to start her on it, but then it was summer and she seemed fine. Then fall hits and whammo-she is having trouble again. But I have heard from so many people that zyrtec is better than Claritin that IDK which to try!!! I had figured we would get her past the ear infection stuff and try her on one of those.
IDK what she is allergic to, if anything, but I guess it is worth a try, right???
I know I hate to put kids on drugs, but if it is the allergies you may see a huge improvement with her on them. I would give it a try. Try the kids zyrtec first and then the claritin.
My allergies have been so bad this year. When my pill wears out I am a mess. It sounds like I am sick, but I am not. It is awful.
I think it depends on the kid. Allie is a thumb sucker at night and she has never had one ear infection since birth. She also hardly gets ill (knock on wood, knock on wood)
I have read what Kelly posted before, but it never rang true for us.
I think ear infections reccuring is pretty common. If she has been ill and has all that congestion it does tend to drain. There have been many kids since this flu hit have secondary infections and they have been taking time to shake. A lot of sinus infections, ears, etc.
Yeah-both my girls have dealt with secondary things (and Bill is STILL coughing, but he refuses to go to the doctor) since the flu. It sucks!!!!
My niece has had a recurrent ear infection this fall also, and my SIL said another friend of hers said the same thing! Seems it is really a problem.
Definitely kid specific though-like I said, Kate was a paci girl, and thus far has not had any trouble with her ears. Anna picks up practically every bug out there (which I blame on the finger sucking-lots of germs, despite my best hand washing efforts with her), but Kate generally doesn't catch everything.
That is what is amazing to me with Allie. She does thumb sucks and really does not get sick.
Do you think she has allergies? If she is congested all the time maybe that could be something? Is it just seasonal or all year?
No, I do think it could definitely be allergies. She is congested to one degree or another I would say 10 months out of the year. I mentioned it at her 4 year, and the pedi said to try her on Claritin and if it helped, it was allergy related and it if doesn't, it is something else. (gee, supa helpful, doc.) I meant to start her on it, but then it was summer and she seemed fine. Then fall hits and whammo-she is having trouble again. But I have heard from so many people that zyrtec is better than Claritin that IDK which to try!!! I had figured we would get her past the ear infection stuff and try her on one of those.
IDK what she is allergic to, if anything, but I guess it is worth a try, right???
I know I hate to put kids on drugs, but if it is the allergies you may see a huge improvement with her on them. I would give it a try. Try the kids zyrtec first and then the claritin.
My allergies have been so bad this year. When my pill wears out I am a mess. It sounds like I am sick, but I am not. It is awful.
Ok-I will definitely try her on the zyrtec. I even have it in the cabinet ready to do. Her ear is infected again and they are having her take omincef for it-dyt I should wait until that course is done?
I am sorry you are so miserable. :( That sucks. And i definitely don't want my poor girl to be feeling that way too!!!
I am sorry she has another ear infection. I am doubtful that it has to do with her finger sucking as much as just her eustachian tube placement and just her trying to get the mucous out it might be settling in her ear.
My friend's daughter went through the winter last year getting ear infection after ear infection. I am thinking she ended up with 4-5 total and until then she had never had one. She was 6 last year. Her doctor just told her it was how she was growing.
As far as the allergies. Owen still has bad days on his medicine so if she is struggling with allergies I could not even imagine how miserable she must be with that. The Zyrtec should be fine to give with the Omnicef. Owen gets a tsp a day but if you want just start out with 1/2 tsp and see if it helps her. It might take a week or so before she shows improvement. Also, not sure if you are still doing the benadryl nightly but I know both my pediatrician and allergist advise it is a fine medicine to use but not something they want a kid to be taking daily.
Bryce was a paci sucker and had 10 ear infections before getting tubes at 13 months. He has had 4-5 since that time.
Owen has only had 3 or 4 I believe and he still sucks his thumb.
Keegan has had 2 and he is a paci baby.
I think it is just one of those every kid is different things.
I am sorry she has another ear infection. I am doubtful that it has to do with her finger sucking as much as just her eustachian tube placement and just her trying to get the mucous out it might be settling in her ear.
My friend's daughter went through the winter last year getting ear infection after ear infection. I am thinking she ended up with 4-5 total and until then she had never had one. She was 6 last year. Her doctor just told her it was how she was growing.
As far as the allergies. Owen still has bad days on his medicine so if she is struggling with allergies I could not even imagine how miserable she must be with that. The Zyrtec should be fine to give with the Omnicef. Owen gets a tsp a day but if you want just start out with 1/2 tsp and see if it helps her. It might take a week or so before she shows improvement. Also, not sure if you are still doing the benadryl nightly but I know both my pediatrician and allergist advise it is a fine medicine to use but not something they want a kid to be taking daily.
Bryce was a paci sucker and had 10 ear infections before getting tubes at 13 months. He has had 4-5 since that time.
Owen has only had 3 or 4 I believe and he still sucks his thumb.
Keegan has had 2 and he is a paci baby.
I think it is just one of those every kid is different things.
Thank you Sara!! ITA about the benadryl. I am ok about it as a temporary thing, but not too anxious to be doing that for weeks on end. I think we will try the Zyrtec and see if it helps. IDT she has allergies like O has allergies, but she does get very congested this time of year.
And you are right-every kid is so different. It is probably just the way her ears are built!!
ETA-my niece and nephew are a good example too because they were both paci babies, and I don't remember Tyler getting ear infections much, but Claire has had them back to back.
-- Edited by Supafly on Monday 16th of November 2009 01:14:04 PM
Laura - my only symptom of my allergies is extreme congestion. It stops the min my Zyrtec kicks in. I take a 24 hr pill and it min it runs out I am a mess. I really wonder if she has seasonal allergies or something. Let me know how it turns out with trying the Zyrtec.
Laura - my only symptom of my allergies is extreme congestion. It stops the min my Zyrtec kicks in. I take a 24 hr pill and it min it runs out I am a mess. I really wonder if she has seasonal allergies or something. Let me know how it turns out with trying the Zyrtec.
I definitely will. I started her on the Omnicef last night, so I didn't want to try two new meds at once, but I will start her on the zyrtec soon and see if it helps her. I know how miserable I am when I am congested and my sinuses are bothering me, so I don't want her to feel that way!!!
I am sorry she has another ear infection. I am doubtful that it has to do with her finger sucking as much as just her eustachian tube placement and just her trying to get the mucous out it might be settling in her ear.
My friend's daughter went through the winter last year getting ear infection after ear infection. I am thinking she ended up with 4-5 total and until then she had never had one. She was 6 last year. Her doctor just told her it was how she was growing.
As far as the allergies. Owen still has bad days on his medicine so if she is struggling with allergies I could not even imagine how miserable she must be with that. The Zyrtec should be fine to give with the Omnicef. Owen gets a tsp a day but if you want just start out with 1/2 tsp and see if it helps her. It might take a week or so before she shows improvement. Also, not sure if you are still doing the benadryl nightly but I know both my pediatrician and allergist advise it is a fine medicine to use but not something they want a kid to be taking daily.
Bryce was a paci sucker and had 10 ear infections before getting tubes at 13 months. He has had 4-5 since that time.
Owen has only had 3 or 4 I believe and he still sucks his thumb.
Keegan has had 2 and he is a paci baby.
I think it is just one of those every kid is different things.
Thank you Sara!! ITA about the benadryl. I am ok about it as a temporary thing, but not too anxious to be doing that for weeks on end. I think we will try the Zyrtec and see if it helps. IDT she has allergies like O has allergies, but she does get very congested this time of year.
And you are right-every kid is so different. It is probably just the way her ears are built!!
ETA-my niece and nephew are a good example too because they were both paci babies, and I don't remember Tyler getting ear infections much, but Claire has had them back to back.
-- Edited by Supafly on Monday 16th of November 2009 01:14:04 PM
I am sure it is her allergies and I am pretty sure the Zyrtec will help get her some relief.
I know here we have a cold front coming through and rain later today. Owen has said three different times today that his head hurt. The second time I finally put it altogether that it is most likely his allergies that is causing him some sinus pressure and hurting his head.
I am sorry she has another ear infection. I am doubtful that it has to do with her finger sucking as much as just her eustachian tube placement and just her trying to get the mucous out it might be settling in her ear.
My friend's daughter went through the winter last year getting ear infection after ear infection. I am thinking she ended up with 4-5 total and until then she had never had one. She was 6 last year. Her doctor just told her it was how she was growing.
As far as the allergies. Owen still has bad days on his medicine so if she is struggling with allergies I could not even imagine how miserable she must be with that. The Zyrtec should be fine to give with the Omnicef. Owen gets a tsp a day but if you want just start out with 1/2 tsp and see if it helps her. It might take a week or so before she shows improvement. Also, not sure if you are still doing the benadryl nightly but I know both my pediatrician and allergist advise it is a fine medicine to use but not something they want a kid to be taking daily.
Bryce was a paci sucker and had 10 ear infections before getting tubes at 13 months. He has had 4-5 since that time.
Owen has only had 3 or 4 I believe and he still sucks his thumb.
Keegan has had 2 and he is a paci baby.
I think it is just one of those every kid is different things.
Thank you Sara!! ITA about the benadryl. I am ok about it as a temporary thing, but not too anxious to be doing that for weeks on end. I think we will try the Zyrtec and see if it helps. IDT she has allergies like O has allergies, but she does get very congested this time of year.
And you are right-every kid is so different. It is probably just the way her ears are built!!
ETA-my niece and nephew are a good example too because they were both paci babies, and I don't remember Tyler getting ear infections much, but Claire has had them back to back.
-- Edited by Supafly on Monday 16th of November 2009 01:14:04 PM
I am sure it is her allergies and I am pretty sure the Zyrtec will help get her some relief.
I know here we have a cold front coming through and rain later today. Owen has said three different times today that his head hurt. The second time I finally put it altogether that it is most likely his allergies that is causing him some sinus pressure and hurting his head.
Awww, poor boy. :( Do you give him more zyrtec when he has trouble, or something else? That stinks.
I am sorry she has another ear infection. I am doubtful that it has to do with her finger sucking as much as just her eustachian tube placement and just her trying to get the mucous out it might be settling in her ear.
My friend's daughter went through the winter last year getting ear infection after ear infection. I am thinking she ended up with 4-5 total and until then she had never had one. She was 6 last year. Her doctor just told her it was how she was growing.
As far as the allergies. Owen still has bad days on his medicine so if she is struggling with allergies I could not even imagine how miserable she must be with that. The Zyrtec should be fine to give with the Omnicef. Owen gets a tsp a day but if you want just start out with 1/2 tsp and see if it helps her. It might take a week or so before she shows improvement. Also, not sure if you are still doing the benadryl nightly but I know both my pediatrician and allergist advise it is a fine medicine to use but not something they want a kid to be taking daily.
Bryce was a paci sucker and had 10 ear infections before getting tubes at 13 months. He has had 4-5 since that time.
Owen has only had 3 or 4 I believe and he still sucks his thumb.
Keegan has had 2 and he is a paci baby.
I think it is just one of those every kid is different things.
Thank you Sara!! ITA about the benadryl. I am ok about it as a temporary thing, but not too anxious to be doing that for weeks on end. I think we will try the Zyrtec and see if it helps. IDT she has allergies like O has allergies, but she does get very congested this time of year.
And you are right-every kid is so different. It is probably just the way her ears are built!!
ETA-my niece and nephew are a good example too because they were both paci babies, and I don't remember Tyler getting ear infections much, but Claire has had them back to back.
-- Edited by Supafly on Monday 16th of November 2009 01:14:04 PM
I am sure it is her allergies and I am pretty sure the Zyrtec will help get her some relief.
I know here we have a cold front coming through and rain later today. Owen has said three different times today that his head hurt. The second time I finally put it altogether that it is most likely his allergies that is causing him some sinus pressure and hurting his head.
Awww, poor boy. :( Do you give him more zyrtec when he has trouble, or something else? That stinks.
Today I did not give him anything else. The only time he complained is when we were outside.
But yes, he is allowed to have more Zyrtec if I feel the need. He also has prescription Xyzal that is another allergy med that he can take if he is having a particularly rough time.
I am sorry she has another ear infection. I am doubtful that it has to do with her finger sucking as much as just her eustachian tube placement and just her trying to get the mucous out it might be settling in her ear.
My friend's daughter went through the winter last year getting ear infection after ear infection. I am thinking she ended up with 4-5 total and until then she had never had one. She was 6 last year. Her doctor just told her it was how she was growing.
As far as the allergies. Owen still has bad days on his medicine so if she is struggling with allergies I could not even imagine how miserable she must be with that. The Zyrtec should be fine to give with the Omnicef. Owen gets a tsp a day but if you want just start out with 1/2 tsp and see if it helps her. It might take a week or so before she shows improvement. Also, not sure if you are still doing the benadryl nightly but I know both my pediatrician and allergist advise it is a fine medicine to use but not something they want a kid to be taking daily.
Bryce was a paci sucker and had 10 ear infections before getting tubes at 13 months. He has had 4-5 since that time.
Owen has only had 3 or 4 I believe and he still sucks his thumb.
Keegan has had 2 and he is a paci baby.
I think it is just one of those every kid is different things.
Thank you Sara!! ITA about the benadryl. I am ok about it as a temporary thing, but not too anxious to be doing that for weeks on end. I think we will try the Zyrtec and see if it helps. IDT she has allergies like O has allergies, but she does get very congested this time of year.
And you are right-every kid is so different. It is probably just the way her ears are built!!
ETA-my niece and nephew are a good example too because they were both paci babies, and I don't remember Tyler getting ear infections much, but Claire has had them back to back.
-- Edited by Supafly on Monday 16th of November 2009 01:14:04 PM
I am sure it is her allergies and I am pretty sure the Zyrtec will help get her some relief.
I know here we have a cold front coming through and rain later today. Owen has said three different times today that his head hurt. The second time I finally put it altogether that it is most likely his allergies that is causing him some sinus pressure and hurting his head.
Awww, poor boy. :( Do you give him more zyrtec when he has trouble, or something else? That stinks.
Today I did not give him anything else. The only time he complained is when we were outside.
But yes, he is allowed to have more Zyrtec if I feel the need. He also has prescription Xyzal that is another allergy med that he can take if he is having a particularly rough time.
Well, that is good. At least you have options if he needs them. I am sorry he has to deal with that though-how miserable!!!
