Congratulations on reaching the milestone period of having a 6-month-old baby! Along with this new stage comes new responsibilities, and we must tackle them head-on. Cleanliness is crucial during this phase, specifically when it comes to your infant's ears.
When you have a little one in the house who likes nothing more than putting anything they find into their mouth - from shoes (why though?) to spoons (because chewing metal is cool) - it is critical to ensure that their ears are kept as clean as possible. We've compiled a list of helpful tips for cleaning your tiny human's delicate ear canals; follow these suggestions for bright, healthy future hearing(which scientific research has linked with brain function).
The correct way of cleaning infants' ears
Cleaning an infant's ear requires caution because babies' ear passages are very responsive and fragile. For good reasons, physicians advise against using cotton swabs or Q-tips since these instruments can perforate infants' eardrums if used incorrectly or inserted too deeply down the canal.
The following tips will assist in making certain that your child's ears stay free of dirt without risking any harm:
Prepare Supplies
Gather all required implements before beginning; items should include: - Soft washcloth - Warm water - Baby Oil
Some mothers may also prefer breast milk instead of water since breast milk possesses antimicrobial properties (yes ladies our boobs are superheroes). If preferred-the mother could choose between either warm water or dilute white vinegar solution by mixing one part vinegar with three parts sterile water!
Administering Ear Drops (Optional)
A further extra tip for cleansing newborns’ dirty external ear (Pinna & Tragus area) based upon specific paediatrician advice might be wetting some drops containing olive oil/almond oil/ baby oil or glycerine over an earbud and softly wiping any debris on the border of both ears (No, we are not into the full frontal lobotomy drama that is said to occur in AHS asylum).
Proper Positioning
The ideal place for infants when you engage in primary care such as grooming/hygiene/follow up treatment is lying down. In contrast, older babies may be seated using a baby seat.
Keeping your infant's head still and keeping their movements limited by positioning them correctly can help prevent injuries from slipping items - like cotton swabs - into their ears!
Favourites: Warm Water/Epsom Salt Solution
One fantastic alternative way of cleansing kids' fragile earwax would be using warm water/Epsom salt solution. The Epsom Salt solution reduces inflammation associated with eczema/dermatitis (allergies control my life). We follow these steps:
1) Stir one tablespoonful of Epsom salt (Magnesium Sulphate Heptahydrate) well; 2) Next dissolves it completely inside 4cl boiled hot water; 3) Carefully add three teaspoons sterile cold distilled water to bring its temperature down.
Use either pipette/dropper/bulb aspirator depending upon child age/preference/tolerance (no monopoly here everyone can play using different equipment) . It aids adhesion between wax particles, causing them to rupture/decompose so they could expel naturally without harm(dear cringe lovers knock yourselves out but do not try epilatoresque assault attempts at home thank you).
However, avoid performing this procedure more than once daily since excessive use of saline/water will erode/block natural defences mechanisms leading to infections rather than boosting further hygiene benefits(Aaaand cue obligatory warning statements!)
Unigue implement: Baby Curette
Using another method involving a baby curate - this is not recommended as first-line therapy; please consult with Dr's opinion. It can be gently rotated in the outermost space of each ear and can remove any excess debris/wax from that area before it coats your little one's eardrum.
When utilizing a curette, such as those included for infant nasal decongestion/hygiene packages (Versatility much?), always do so extremely carefully to avoid scraping or injuring the fragile skin located within the ear canal.
Home Remedies to clear an Ear Infection
Ear infections typically go away on their own without treatment but if symptoms persist, you might want to try out some at-home remedies:
Garlic Oil Solution:
Garlic oil has potent antimicrobial effects and may help alleviate pain caused by ear infection(Dear vampires stay away I need my garlic!)
Here are some instructions on how to make your garlic oil
- Pour 2-3 tablespoonsfuls extra-virgin olive oil into saucepan and heat over low flame,
- Once warmed up add 2 cloves minced fresh whole raw organic garlic.
- Stir consistently ensuring not sticking until golden brown;
Allow mixture cool down thoroughly Remove solids either by filtering procedure/picking them out; And use dropper bulb aspirator pipette any gadget preferred (Variety they say is indeedthe spice of life!)
Salt Socks :
A salt sock made very quickly works well for people attempting natural solutions before resorting to antibiotics/discomfort relievers.
For this case, all you will require:
Any clean cotton socks (that fits container when raised above); 1½ cups coarse sea salt(to maximize contact surface) ;
You shall follow these steps : Put sea salt inside a sock tightly packed enough that its shape retained even whilst applying slight pressure ; microwave it for approximately 25 seconds then check - should be warm & not burning (Did anyone else just imagine the smell of fresh sea salt, or was it just us?).
Place your sock comfortably against your ear and relax.
Apple Cider Vinegar Drops
Apple cider vinegar is known for its health-boosting properties. It contains Acetic acid that destroys bacteria/microbes causing inflammation(Cue..cue warning SFX what-would-we-do-without-you!)
Here are instructions on how to create these healthy apple cider vinegar drops
1) Add two tablespoonsfuls unfiltered/raw organic ACV into a glass containing six ounces sterile warm water; 2) Dip cotton balls in solution then drain excess liquid; 3) Carefully put moist cotton ball onto exterior ear areas gently permitting it absorb for some time. 4）Use dropper/bulb aspirator/pipette preferable equipment type
Empirical evidence does exist so no harm if you try one of these remedies when symptoms arise. But if you experience further discomfort/adverse reactions, consult with medical advice once more since infections may induce rotting complications (Can we get a “Nope” on that subject please?)
Should I Clean My Baby's Ears?
Parental concern over dirty ears that may lead to hearing loss from impaction waxes isn't rare among new moms&dads. However, such worries based upon myths than rising scientific truth (refer above regarding research evidences)
They do not require intensive cleaning as our bodily system naturally deals with wax production - this protective substance is an essential component for natural defence mechanisms inside all animals' ears (yup humans included).
So wait...what should I be doing?
You don’t really need to clean off every ivory coating continually forming within infant ears since they will generally clear by themselves without assistance like other body systems. It’s perfectly safe normal function under certain conditions which include:
Enlarged/Quiet ears with minimum background noise levels - it should not produce any hearing disturbances/vibrations within the ear canal
If your baby frequently scratches/rubs their ears or seem reserved/uncomfortable during play then additional investigation needs to happen since a more sinister cause may be lurking (Suspense music please!)
Recap
Taking care of an infant requires time, energy, and patience (no surprises there). Indeed infants aren't fragile objects that would break from incorrect handling but require extra attention when you address primary hygiene needs like protecting/cleaning delicate senses organs such as Ear,could make all the difference later on.
Although cleaning infant's ears isn't necessary at times, administering proper measures and techniques suggested in this article could yield significant benefits. These fundamentals guarantee safely removing wax/debris while avoiding injuries/potentially risky actions/smaller risks associated with well-intentioned yet over-eager first-time moms&dads!