How to Place Ear Drops in a Child's Ear

How to Place Ear Drops in a Child's Ear

From the library of

Frank Barnhill M.D.

Children rarely do well when parents try to put medication drops in their ears. Some parents are easily frustrated when the child pitches a fit and of course just don’t seem to get all of those drops in or can’t get the child to allow them to do so more than once a day. Well, guess what? A lot of these kids will still have infections when the doctor looks in their ears two or three weeks later. This situation can lead to damage to the middle ear, as well as extra expense for doctor visits and more medications. Lets see if we can help you avoid this problem by using a method taught to me by an older doctor in the late 1970’s.

Even though the eardrop bottle label probably says keep in the refrigerator, don’t. Keeping the bottle at room temperature for the one-week period you will need the medicine, will not cause a problem. Hold the bottle in your hand to warm the contents a little more before you place the drops.

Do not heat the drops in water or a microwave. It will weaken the medicine’s effects and probably burn your child’s eardrum. Guess what? That will be another visit to the doctor or emergency room!

Ask you child to lie on the bed on his right side.
For your infant, use your changing table, but sure that the child can’t roll off. Never leave a child unattended on an elevated surface for even a few seconds. Keep you eyes and a hand on them at all times.
Place the tip of the dropper just inside the ear in the little crook above the earlobe.
Then allow the drops to roll across the inside if the outer ear before they go into the ear canal. This will further warm them before they arrive at the eardrum. Just repeat this on the left side.

Do not try to drop the liquid directly into the ear canal. If the drops were to land directly on the eardrum, much pain will result.

Do not put cotton in the ear canal after placing the drops, as it will just soak up the medicine before it’s absorbed.

Good Job!

Now your child should not have a fear of medications being placed in his ears. That means his infection will be easier to treat, you’ll avoid more doctor visits, and overall he’ll be healthier. Later in life, he’ll be more prone to take his medicines.

Dr. Frank

These health tips are offered for your common sense use and are not intended to take the place of a visit to your doctor. Your use of the materials implies your understanding that nothing herein contained represents individual medical advice.

drhuggiebear, drhuggiebear.com and contained materials are the copyrighted and/or registered properties of Frank Barnhill, M.D. and may not be reproduced for profit without the express written permission of the author. All materials may be photocopied in whole for educational use. For information please contact us at drfrank@drhuggiebear.com.