Today, Flannery had her nine month "well child" visit to the Pediatrician. It was barely a well child visit, though, as Flannery (and Amos) have had coughs and runny noses for the last few weeks. Flannery's sounded bad enough that I thought that maybe she had whooping cough or RSV. It turned out that she just has had a virus, probably the same one that Amos has, which was more than likely brought home school.
We found out something else: Flannery has a mild infection in her left ear. This news is usually alarming to most parents and they immediately get their babies on antibiotics. But since I read this and this article about antibiotics, I was tentative to give Flannery medicine, if not necessary. One of the good things was that our Pediatrician agreed! She said she would write the script but that I could fill it later if necessary, or bring her back in if I was concerned. YAY!!
On the way home, I called our Naturopath and learned how to "treat" the infection with essential oils: Make a solution of 4 drops of olive oil to one drop of Thieves, rub it in the palm of my hand and then put it around the back of her ear, front of her ear and inside her outer ear, three times a day and see if that helps.
Hopefully, it won't get any worse. So far, she hasn't shown any signs of having an infection: no fever or pulling of her ear, so I'm hopeful that we can catch it. If I do start to get concerned, I will take her back in and fill the prescription if necessary. Antibiotics aren't bad, they are just overused. Thankfully, our Doc agrees with me and was happy that I have that attitude. Yay.
4 comments:
When Georgi was about 4 months she got a really bad ear infection. Being a new and overly concerned mom I let them fill a prescription for antibiotics. It made her lethargic and unresponsive. I pulled her off them, and got chewed out from the nurse for not "finishing" the round.
I've never put my kids on antibiotics since, no matter how many times the "dr" has written one for them. Although usually the drs agree w/ me, it's the nurses that don't:)
What they don't tell you, typically is that nursing babes (if Flannery's still nursing) have the best treatment already. Between how they suck and all the milk, it should clear up anyway.
Hope they get better soon!
Thats awesome Sarah...well not that F has an ear infection, but that you can treat it with theives! We've had 3 ear infections in my 5.5 years of parenting. The problem is, I dont know about it until its really bad, meaning the kid isnt sleeping at night and pulling on the ear. If only they would tell me when an infection is brewing:)
Hi Sarah,
I'm so sorry your little one has an ear infection but thankful to hear she is doing so well without antibiotics. We are definitely on the same page. Looks like you guys are doing great with 2. I hope you all have a wonderful Advent and peaceful and joyous Christmas.
Blessings,
Lauren
BTW, I have enjoyed reading TSC, really fun idea and I know a helpful outlet for you.
Hey Sarah, I know this is super old and she is done with the infection but I have not read your blog in a long time so am just reading this. Another thing you could look into in the future is putting some white distilled vinegar in her ear. When I was pregnant with Vincent I felt an infection coming on and looked up natural things to do because I didn't want to take anything while I was pregnant. So, I poured some vinegar in there and wow, it worked immediately and a few hours later I was a new woman, feeling SO much better. I did the same thing for V. a few weeks ago when it seemed like he was getting one and nothing ever came of it (but I am not sure if he actually had one). I think Áine has one currently and I put some in there today so we will see. Another thing my dad used to do it put honey in our ear and I remember that working well. He has later said he only did that if he knew he was catching it early and the one time I got a bad infection he didn't bother, he just got the antibiotics. I am like you, antibiotics are fine but as much as possible I try to avoid them so when they are really needed they actually work! So far so good, neither kid has needed them--hopefully we can keep the good health going :).
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