Newborn & Baby

Organization is the key to keeping baby clean and dry while you’re on the go. First, create a checklist of diaper bag essentials. Include a changing pad, plenty of diapers, ointment, disposable bags, bottles if you bottle feed, breast pads if you br...

Diaper Changing, Step-by-Step (Newborn & Baby)

Have your supplies ready and within easy reach. You'll need wipes, diapers, ointment, and hand sanitizer. ...

Avoiding Diaper Disasters Step-by-Step

Learn your baby's elimination schedule. You can prevent leaks, discomfort, diaper rash, and irritation once you know your infant's bowel habits. As your baby grows, you'll need fresh diapers not long after each feeding -- before and after naptime --...

Treat Diaper Rash Step-by-Step (Newborn & Baby)

First, know which type of diaper rash your baby has. Bacterial infections may cause yellowish bumps and fluid-filled bumps, sores with pus, and a honey crusted area on the baby's bottom. A yeast rash will be bright red, with small red pimples that r...

Prevent Diaper Rash Step-by-Step (Newborn & Baby)

# To prevent diaper rash, you should know what causes it. Diaper rash appears most often when babies are not kept clean and dry, have ill-fitting diapers that rub the skin, are sensitive or allergic to the brand of baby wipes you use, start to eat s...

Ear Infections-Related Information (Baby Ear Infections)

Blocked Eustachian Tubes Choosing Child Care Colds Ear Canal Problems (Swimmer's Ear) Ear Problems and Injuries, Age 11 and Y...

Ear Infections-What Happens (Baby Ear Infections)

Middle ear infection (acute otitis media) Middle ear infections usually occur along with an upper respiratory infection (URI), such as a cold. During a URI, the lining of the eustachian tube can swell and block the tube. ...

Ear Infections-Prevention (Baby Ear Infections)

You may be able to prevent your child from getting middle ear infections by: Not smoking. Ear infections are more common in children who are around cigarette smoke in the home. Even fumes from tobacco smoke on your ha...

Ear Infections-Other Treatment (Baby Ear Infections)

Allergy treatment can help children who have allergies and who also have frequent ear infections. Allergy testing isn't suggested unless children have signs of allergies. Some people use herbal remedies, such as echinacea and garlic oil ...

Recurrent Ear Infections and Persistent Effusion-Topic Overview (Baby Ear Infections)

Some doctors may recommend the use of daily antibiotics for prevention (prophylaxis) of ear infection if your child has many recurrent ear infections. Talk to your doctor about this. Antibiotics can reduce by 1 the number of infections that wou...

Home Ear Examination (Baby Ear Infections)

A home ear examination is a visual inspection of the ear canal and eardrum using an instrument called an otoscope . An otoscope is a handheld instrument with a light, a magnifying lens, and a funnel-shaped viewing piece with a narrow, ...

Recurrent Ear Infections and Persistent Effusion-Related Information (Baby Ear Infections)

Ear Infections Ear Problems and Injuries, Age 11 and Younger...

Ear Problems and Injuries, Age 11 and Younger-Preparing For Your Appointment (Baby Ear Infections)

To prepare for your appointment, see the topic Making the Most of Your Appointment. If you have made an appointment with your child's doctor, you can help your doctor diagnose and treat your child's condition by being prepared to a...

Ear Problems and Injuries, Age 11 and Younger-Topic Overview (Baby Ear Infections)

Ear pain in children may be a sign of an infection in the space behind the eardrum (middle ear ). Ear infections (otitis media) most commonly occur when cold symptoms, such as a runny or stuffy nose and a cough, have been present for a few da...

Ear Infections-When To Call a Doctor (Baby Ear Infections)

Call your doctor immediately if: Your child has sudden hearing loss, severe pain, or dizziness. Your child seems to be very sick with symptoms such as a high fever and stiff neck. You notice redness, swellin...

Ear Infections-Symptoms (Baby Ear Infections)

Symptoms of a middle ear infection (acute otitis media) often start 2 to 7 days after the start of a cold or other upper respiratory infection. Symptoms of an ear infection may include: Ear pain (mild to sever...

Ear Infections-What Increases Your Risk (Baby Ear Infections)

Some factors that increase the risk for middle ear infection (acute otitis media) are out of your control. These include: Age. Children ages 3 years and younger are most likely to get ear infections. Also, yo...

Ear Infections-Cause (Baby Ear Infections)

Middle ear infections are caused by bacteria and viruses. During a cold, sinus or throat infection, or an allergy attack, the eustachian tubes, which connect the middle ears to the throat, can become blocked. This stops fluid from dra...

Ear Infections-Exams and Tests (Baby Ear Infections)

Middle ear infections are usually diagnosed using a health history, a physical exam, and an ear exam. With a middle ear infection, the eardrum, when seen through a pneumatic otoscope, is red or yellow and bulging. In the cas...

Ear Infections-Health Tools (Baby Ear Infections)

Health Tools help you make wise health decisions or take action to improve your health. Decision Points focus on key medical care decisions that are important to many health problems. Ear Infection: S...

Symptoms of an Ear Infection (Baby Ear Infections)

What Are the Symptoms of an Ear Infection? In adults: Earache (either a sharp, sudden pain or a dull, continuous pain). A sharp stabbing pain with immediate warm drainage from the ear canal Nasal congestion may accompa...

Acute and Chronic Mastoiditis: Symptoms, Causes, and Treatment (Baby Ear Infections)

Mastoiditis is a bacterial infection of the mastoid bone. The mastoid bone, which sits behind the ear, consists of air spaces that help drain the middle ear. When the mastoid cells become infected or inflamed, often as a result of an unresolved ...

Ear Infections-Medications (Baby Ear Infections)

Antibiotics can treat ear infections. But most children with ear infections get better without them. If the care you give at home relieves pain, and a child's symptoms are getting better after a few days, you may not need antibiotics. ...

Ear Infections-Surgery (Baby Ear Infections)

Surgery for middle ear infections (acute otitis media) often means placing a drainage tube into the eardrum of one or both ears. It's one of the most common childhood operations. While the child is under general anesthesia, the surgeon cuts a...

Ear Infections-Treatment Overview (Baby Ear Infections)

Treatment for middle ear infections (acute otitis media) involves home treatment for symptom relief. Your doctor can give your child antibiotics, but ear infections often get better without them. Talk about this with your ...

Ear Infections-Home Treatment (Baby Ear Infections)

Rest and care at home is often all children 2 years of age or older with ear infections need. Most ear infections get better without treatment. If your child is mildly ill and home treatment takes care of the earache, you may choose not to se...

Ear Problems and Injuries, Age 11 and Younger-Prevention (Baby Ear Infections)

Breast-feed your baby. Breast-fed babies may have fewer ear infections. Avoid exposing children to cigarette smoke. Children exposed to secondhand smoke have more frequent ear infections. If you smoke and are unable to stop, smok...

Ear Canal Problems (Swimmer's Ear) Ear Infections Ear Problems and Injuries, Age 11 and Younger Ear Problems and Injuries, Age 12 and Older ...

Ear Problems and Injuries, Age 11 and Younger-Related Information (Baby Ear Infections)

Burns Cold Temperature Exposure Cuts Dizziness: Lightheadedness and Vertigo Earwax Objects in t...

Ear Infections-Topic Overview (Baby Ear Infections)

Is this topic for you? This topic covers infections of the middle ear, commonly called ear infections. For information on outer ear infections, see the topic Ear Canal Problems (Swimmer's Ear). For information on inner ear infe...