How to Administer Ear Drops to a Baby

Ear infections are a part of childhood. Typical treatments for ear infections include anti-inflammatory or occasionally antibiotic drops. Always consult a pediatrician before administering any medications to a baby, as observational diagnosis can be unreliable.

Things You'll Need

• Ear drops
• Cotton cloth

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Instructions

• 1

  Lay the baby on his side with the affected ear facing up. This position works best when the baby is sleepy, as he won't try to squirm or change positions. If the baby is not sleepy or unable to be soothed, consider applying while nursing.

• 2

  Squeeze the ear dropper and release the prescribed number of drops in the affected ear.

• 3

  Rock and comfort the baby until the drops have completely drained into the ear canal. Baby's ear canals are very small, so it could take as long as five minutes to completely enter. Gently press the tragus downward once all the medication is inside. The tragus is the cartilage bump in front of the ear canal.

• 4

  Hold the baby upright and wipe any medicine that leaks from the ear with the cotton cloth.