My baby (2 year old) has developed ear infection, has a bad throat with cough and cold and is teething at the same time. He hasnt been eating much at all since the past one week and I' m really worried about his health. The doctor prescribed antibiotics today. What should I expect? Any particular type of food that you know of, that might help him wtih pain or soothing? FYI - this is probably the first time that he has gotten ear infection.
Thank you.
S.
Whenever my son is sick my DR recommends the BRAT diet..
Bananas
Rice
Apples
Toast
Don't stress too much, as long as he normally eats nutrionally he'll be ok. Consider a couple of vitamins for the next few days, but remember the bulk of his nutrition should come from his diet.
Antibiotics should start helping soon. They work pretty quickly. Warm mist humidifier definitely helps. We also take our daughter in the warm shower before bed. The steam really helps! Our daughter is 2 y.o. & just got over an ear infection. Her appetite dipped a little too & we made her smoothies. She loved them! I just blended milk, yogurt, frozen fruit, banana, &then put a packet of instant oatmeal in there also. Yogurt is always good idea when on antibiotics. We gave a little Tylenol & kept pushing fluids. Her appetite returned within a couple days. Hope your lil one feels better soon!
The good news is that ear infections often show improvements after less than 12 hours of medication. My son (3) was just diagnosed with a dual ear infection on Saturday afternoon, and by that night, 6 hours after medication, he was amazingly different, coughing less, sneezing less, playing, and SUPER hungry - I think he ate all day long on Sunday.
You may want to think about frozen fruit, juice bars, or slushes, which wilol help to soothe his throat. Make food you know he likes, as he will be more apt to eat it. It will pass and he should be back to his normal self soon.
One additional note - if you don't see improvement by 1/2 the time of the meds (usually day 5) contact his pediatrician. My daughter had an ear infection in November that lasted forever - then we found out (after 10 days of medication and two more days of waiting to get her into her normal dr) that ammoxicillian doesn't work for her. They put her on Omnicef and she was better in a matter of hours.
When our kids get an ear infection, we take them to the chiropractor for an adjustment. Has worked every time.
For teething, we use the Hylands Teething Tablets. They seem to help the kids. And if that doesn't help enough, we use the Orajel on their gums.
As long as he is still drinking liquids, I wouldn't worry too much about food intake for now. He will start eating again once he feels better.
My son had chronic ear infections when he was very young. The doctor was talking about putting tubes in his ears. We stopped drinking milk and he hasn't had an ear infection since. It's been about 8 years.
My other son turned up allergic to amoxicillan, by the way. It's something to watch out for. He had hives from it, and can't have any 'cillans.
the antibiotics causes diarreah and will probably give the baby a diaper rash. I preempt it and make sure your babies bottom is coated with Desitin . Dont worry about the food too much, that will come back in a day. The antibiotics will probably start working in the next 24 hours...you will see some results but keep the baby on the antibiotics for the FULL amt that is directed (usually 10 days). Yogurt is something that is good for preventing...otherwise I give Motrin at night so there is no pain while they sleep and if it gets too bad during the day I will give her tylonal.
you should expect alot of crying temper tantrums sleeping and little if any eating. or he may just not sleep diffrent kids respond differently. i had one do each. my oldest slept alot my youngest doesnt sleep. dont panic if he doesnt eat he will eat when he gets hungry. you dont eat as much when you are sick do you? tylenol for the pain. and keep a hood over his head if you leave the house. expect lots of mamaidis wanting to be held alot. if he breaks normal bed time routine that is fine for now. deal with it again when he is feeling better. lots of love cuddling and rocking :)
The antibiotics should kick in and work by tomorrow. Tonight might be one more rough one. I'd give motrin for the pain. Lots of liquid to thin the mucus. Use a humidifier in his room (warm mist for a cold) to again thin the mucus. Warm bath is also good before bed. I also like to give my kids some probitics or yogurt w/ active cultures when they are on antibiotics. It keeps the diaper rash and diahrea away. Best diaper cream I've found is Aquaphor. Glad he hasn't had an ear infection until now : ). Both my kids had lots and both had tubes. Hang in there help is on the way!
