Why do bottle fed babies get ear infections?

Children who are bottlefed and who swallow milk while lying down. Milk can enter the eustachian tube

eustachian tube

The Eustachian tube is named after the Italian anatomist, Bartolomeo Eustachi, who observed that it was a canal that connected the nasopharynx to the middle ear. The Eustachian tube is also known as the pharyngotympanic tube or the auditory tube.[1][2]

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Anatomy, Head and Neck, Ear Eustachian Tube - StatPearls - NCBI

, which increases the risk for an ear infection.

How do I keep my bottle fed baby from getting ear infections?

Babies who are bottle-fed, especially while they are lying down, get more ear infections than breastfed babies. If you bottle-feed your child, hold his or her head above the stomach level during feedings. This keeps the eustachian tubes from getting blocked. Parents can help reduce some of the risks of ear infections.

Why do bottle fed babies get more ear infections?

A baby who lies down while drinking from a bottle may get more ear infections: The formula, milk, or juice can go up through the eustachian tubes, irritating or swelling them. The sugar in these liquids causes germs to grow. What are the signs of otitis media?

Can sucking a bottle cause ear infections?

The negative pressure inside the bottle causes the infant to suck excessively and the intraoral negative pressure may subsequently be transmitted to the middle ear via the eustachian tube.

Can drinking milk cause ear infections?

Milk does not cause middle ear infections

Middle ear infections are common in early childhood, and especially in children who have allergic rhinitis (hay fever).

How Do I Bottle Feed a Baby With an Ear Infection?

Does feeding baby lying down cause ear infection?

You might hear that breastfeeding your baby in a lying down position will cause ear infections. Research indicates that this is not true. No matter what positioning you use, breastfeeding actually works to decrease the incidence of ear infections.

How do you feed a baby with an ear infection?

Feed your baby in an upright position

As a rule: When your child is drinking, her head should be higher than her stomach so the liquid can't flow from the eustachian tube into the middle ear.

Why do pacifiers increase ear infections?

Continuous sucking on a pacifier causes the auditory tubes to become abnormally open, which allows secretions from the throat to seep into the middle ear. This transmission of bacteria in the secretions may lead to middle ear infections.

Does pacifier prevent ear infections?

They conducted a study comparing the use of pacifiers and risk of ear infections. Results of the study, reported in the September issue of Pediatrics, suggest that limiting pacifier use can cut the number of ear infections by 29%.

Can getting water in baby's ears cause ear infection?

Water in the ear canal can lead to swimmer's ear, an infection in the ear canal. However, if a child has intact ear drums, it should not lead to middle ear infection.

Will breast milk help an ear infection?

Breast milk contains antibodies that can help fight infection, and studies show that breastfed babies are at lower risk for ear infections. As a result, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) lists breastfeeding for at least one year and exclusively for six months as an effective strategy for reducing ear infections.

How do I get rid of my baby's ear infection?

Your doctor may prescribe antibiotics to treat the ear infection. Children under 6 months are usually given an antibiotic. If your child is over 6 months old and the symptoms are mild, antibiotics may not be needed. Your doctor may also recommend medicines to help with fever or pain.

Can sippy cups cause ear infections?

Sippy cups can cause cavities, ear infections, and too much weight gain. Sippy cups can also make it harder for kids to learn how to drink from an open cup. If your child drinks from a sippy cup, only put water in the cup.

Can you prevent ear infections in babies?

Vaccinate your child

Make sure your child is up to date on vaccinations. Studies show vaccinated children have fewer ear infections. The pneumococcal vaccine protects against streptococcus pneumoniae, a common cause of middle ear infections. The flu vaccine can also help prevent ear infections.

Are ear infections painful for babies?

Ear infections can be very painful. While older children can tell you this, younger ones can't. You might see them pulling at or poking their ear. Children also might develop a fever, vomiting or problems with their balance.

What happens if baby gets too many ear infections?

You may also want to talk with your doctor about getting your child's hearing tested; chronic ear infections or chronic fluid buildup in the ear can cause hearing problems, which in turn can cause speech delays. See all toddler health and safety tips.

How do I know if my infant has an ear infection?

Your little one may develop an ear infection when a virus or bacteria infect and trap fluid behind the eardrum. This extra fluid causes pain and bulging of the eardrum. Common signs that your baby has an ear infection include crying, irritability, tugging at the ear, difficulty feeding, ear drainage, and fever.

How long do ear infections last in babies?

Most ear infections go away without the use of antibiotics. Symptoms typically improve after a couple of days, with full recovery after one to two weeks. However, call your doctor if symptoms do not improve after a day or two.

Is it OK to bottle feed baby lying down?

Never feed your baby lying flat or leave her alone propped up with a bottle, as she may choke. Laying her flat can also make it more likely that milk will flow back down her throat to her middle ear, causing an ear infection.

What happens if milk goes in baby's ear?

Milk can enter the eustachian tube, which increases the risk for an ear infection.

Is a sippy cup better than a bottle?

Bottles may increase instances of tooth decay. This is simply because of the mechanics of sucking from a bottle versus drinking from a sippy cup. Sugar stays longer on the teeth this way, which can lead to cavities. Kids who still use a bottle by age 2 have a higher risk of obesity later.

When do babies transition from bottle to cup?

When should you introduce a sippy cup? Introducing a sippy cup to your baby early — at about 6 months — can make it easier to wean her off the bottle by her first birthday. Some babies naturally lose interest in bottle-feeding around 9 to 12 months, which makes an ideal time to start weaning your baby off the bottle.

Does teething cause ear infection?

Teething pain can look a lot like an ear infection in a baby. This is because the nerves around the teeth and mouth go all the way to the ears. One difference is that an ear infection usually happens during or right after your baby has a cold or the flu and may be accompanied by a fever.

Can I put breastmilk in my baby's ear?

Some moms have reported that just a drop of breast milk into your baby's ear every few hours can help ease the discomfort that ear infections cause. Continuing to nurse and the sucking motion can also help your baby get over an ear infection easier.

When should I take my baby to the doctor for an ear infection?