https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Fri, 17 Apr 2026 10:20:21 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/ear-tubes-finally#post-922461 Thu, 11 Jul 2013 12:15:32 +0000 irene 922461@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@MrsSCB: @mrsjyw: @BabyBoecksMom: @looch: @T-Mom: @pelikila: @autumnlove: Thank you for your support - we have returned from the operation. And doc said it was successful and it was very quick. Both ears have water inside, right side more than the left... and we have to do drops for a week.</p> <p>So far all is good. He is napping now. Except he was fussy a little he's good and I think the fussy was because he was tired. (woke up this morning at 5:30am to go to the hospital)</p> <p>And he returned like a baby possessed by demons. I didn't expect that! They said it was normal because they just woke up from anesthesia and they didn't like it and didn't understand it will go away. So instead of like adults who would rest and let it pass they fight it. It almost felt like having a crazy newborn again.</p> <p>Thanks again for your support! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/ear-tubes-finally#post-919114 Wed, 10 Jul 2013 10:43:25 +0000 irene 919114@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@pelikila: And thank you for the information... now I know what to expect... eek! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/ear-tubes-finally#post-918927 Wed, 10 Jul 2013 09:56:34 +0000 irene 918927@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@T-Mom: Yes the antibiotics is what I worried about most. We are not even in the flu season and he's still taking antibiotics on a monthly basis because of ear infections. I'd rather the antibiotics be useful when needed to fight off really necessary diseases when it comes to it.</p> <p>I just wish I knew about the cow's milk allergy link 2 weeks ago and I would have tried to switch him to another form of milk. Sigh. At this point I do not want to change the surgery date again and try out something that may or may not have been the cause. We are traveling in the beginning of August, and it would be hairy if we get another infection around then...</p> <p>@BabyBoecksMom: Thanks for the link I will get one right now!!!</p> <p>@mrsjyw: Thanks :)</p> <p>@MrsSCB: Thank you, Good to hear about your good experience... I hope you are right! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/ear-tubes-finally#post-918855 Wed, 10 Jul 2013 09:28:17 +0000 MrsSCB 918855@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I don't have advice from a mom perspective but I do from your LO's perspective. I also had awful ear infections, so many I don't know the number. I got my adenoids out and tubes in when I was a little older than your LO and it was seriously the best think ever. I think in the decades since then I could count my ear infections on one hand. I barely remember the surgery and I don't remember being traumatized by it or anything. I did get custom ear plugs made for swimming (mine were hot pink :-) ) The tubes were taken out years later and it was a very simple procedure, just in the office and out in a matter of minutes as I remember.</p> <p>Good luck, I know it's scary for you, but if your experience is anything like mine was, it will be so worth it! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/ear-tubes-finally#post-918854 Wed, 10 Jul 2013 09:27:27 +0000 mrsjyw 918854@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>thinking of you!!! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/ear-tubes-finally#post-918852 Wed, 10 Jul 2013 09:26:02 +0000 BabyBoecksMom 918852@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@irene: I'm happy to mail you ours - we only used one or two out of the package, and I believe there were 6. And you don't put anything IN the ear - you just try to gently smooth it over the hole. She would take hers out, so some water did get in her ear, but it's ok because it drains :-)</p> <p>ETA: They're like this: <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Putty-Buddies-Swimmers-Plugs-3-Pack/dp/B005IYDL7W/ref=sr_1_7?s=sporting-goods&#038;ie=UTF8&#038;qid=1373466394&#038;sr=1-7" rel="nofollow">http://www.amazon.com/Putty-Buddies-Swimmers-Plugs-3-Pack/dp/B005IYDL7W/ref=sr_1_7?s=sporting-goods&#038;ie=UTF8&#038;qid=1373466394&#038;sr=1-7</a> </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/ear-tubes-finally#post-918842 Wed, 10 Jul 2013 09:22:47 +0000 T-Mom 918842@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@irene: I agree with @looch: If you are very worried, a second opinion seems advisable. Did your LO have any hearing loss when he had his hearing test? </p> <p>Some kids are more resilient when it comes to these ear infections and don't seem feel as much pain, which sounds like your son. But you also have to think about all the antibiotics, etc and weigh the pros/cons and what you are comfortable with. Good luck.<br /> ETA: I also wanted to add that I have several friends whose kids had tubes put in. We all waited until it seemed absolutely necessary. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/ear-tubes-finally#post-918798 Wed, 10 Jul 2013 09:05:03 +0000 looch 918798@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@irene: I would insist on it, if I felt it was necessary. If your doc won't comply, can you call an audiologist and see what's required? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/ear-tubes-finally#post-918795 Wed, 10 Jul 2013 09:04:30 +0000 pelikila 918795@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@irene: We were prescribed Ciprodex and after the first 5 days of putting in drops we were directed to stop putting in drops and just keep some in the house in case you see some drainage. We rarely did but occasionally we'd see some crusty yellowish brownish goop (ear wax colored type of stuff) draining into C's outer ear, usually when he had a cold. Some drainage means the tubes are doing their job so don't worry too much about drainage. That is when we used our spare bottle of drops for a few days and everything usually cleared up no problem. Now if you see a lot (like dripping out of your LO's ear down their neck) or it has blood in it, then definitely that would be worrisome and worth going back to the doctor but a little bit of ear wax colored type of drainage occasionally isn't a bad thing. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/ear-tubes-finally#post-918787 Wed, 10 Jul 2013 09:03:40 +0000 irene 918787@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@looch: Sigh, I know, but our doc said it is not necessary, and thus he won't even hook us up with that. Should I insist that I need a pair..? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/ear-tubes-finally#post-918778 Wed, 10 Jul 2013 09:01:46 +0000 looch 918778@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>The earplugs can be custom made by an audiologist. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/ear-tubes-finally#post-918774 Wed, 10 Jul 2013 09:00:21 +0000 irene 918774@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@BabyBoecksMom: Where do you get wax earplugs? I repeatedly ask my doc and he kept saying I don't need ear plugs, but I will die of worry if I don't have some sort of ear plugs! He is such a difficult thing when I shampoo his hair (and he does need shampooing every day because he rubs his food on his hair. argh), and I feel like water will be going into his ears daily if I don't somehow tape his ears up. I went to the pharmacy and they said they don't make ear plugs that small. So I should ask for "wax ear plugs"?</p> <p>The part that kills me is thinking about him crying and struggling while they try to put him down and get the mask on him. :'( </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/ear-tubes-finally#post-918758 Wed, 10 Jul 2013 08:56:39 +0000 irene 918758@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@looch: My husband and I are reluctantly on board. It just feels very unnatural, but we have also waited it out and this is not getting any better. He had his first ear infection at the end of January, a couple more and we saw ENT in around March? At least 3-4 ear in fections since then. Our ENT was OK for us to wait it out. But now even he said his recommendation is to do the tubes because we have waited and tried various things. It needs a solution other than antibiotics every other week / month, and unfortunately this is the only solution scientifically approved.</p> <p>In fact I was just talking to my client, and she said there are new research that says ear infection could be a result of an allergy to milk., and she asked if LO was lactose intolerant.... but he's been gobbling down his milk like a champ. Strange thing is my husband mentioned the same thing yesterday evening when he got home from work (maybe he had a conversation with his colleagues). But it is too late now..... I can't cancel on the surgery to try out something that may or may not have been the cause. I wish I knew earlier..... :(</p> <p>@pelikila: What do you mean you need a bottle in hand in case of drainage? BTW What should I be expecting regarding drainage, so I won't freak out and die of heart attack when I start seeing them? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/ear-tubes-finally#post-918715 Wed, 10 Jul 2013 08:48:45 +0000 BabyBoecksMom 918715@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@irene: W had her tubes put in a few months ago and, although we had one ear infection since then, we just had to put drops in her ear instead of giving her oral antibiotics. She still gets a ton of colds but she is so much happier without having all the pain and pressure on her ears. </p> <p>I cried when they took her back, but it was literally 15 min and she was back in my arms. She was a little dopey for about 30 min, and then she was herself. We just had to keep wax earplugs in her ears when we gave her a bath for the next two weeks. Now, she can dunk her head in the water if she wants to - it's all good :-) </p> <p>Best of luck!! (Trust me, it's MUCH harder on you than it will be for him) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/ear-tubes-finally#post-918695 Wed, 10 Jul 2013 08:44:38 +0000 pelikila 918695@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Tubes aren't as scary as they seem. C had his first set at 8 months and his second set (plus adenoids removed) at 20 months. The surgery is very quick and both times C was away from us maybe 30 minutes total. As soon as he was brought out of surgery to recovery they brought us back and let us hold him and comfort him while they observed him post-surgery for about an hour. C was somewhat cranky / sleepy after both surgeries on and off throughout the day but overall was his usual self with a touch of needing extra snuggles and then normal as usual by the next day. We had no restrictions with respect to swimming, baths, etc. as long as your LO isn't spending a ton of time swimming under water you likely won't have restrictions either. Tubes should naturally come out within a year of being placed however some cases require them to be surgically removed. The only care post-surgery was ear drops for a few days and we always kept a bottle on hand in case we noticed drainage (per our ENT's direction). All in all, they have been great even though I was really not sure about it with the first set (especially since C was so young). </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/ear-tubes-finally#post-918610 Wed, 10 Jul 2013 08:22:43 +0000 looch 918610@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@irene: you sound like you are not on board with the tubes then. Have you gotten a second opinion? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/ear-tubes-finally#post-918510 Wed, 10 Jul 2013 07:56:18 +0000 irene 918510@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@looch: The thing is, LO was seldom really in pain.... Whenever he gets a cold, you'd notice he'd start acting weird (pulling / playing / covering his ears, waking up in the middle of the night). Otherwise he's just his usual happy self.. it is the lingering fever that gives me the chills up my spine, and if we take him to the doc it will 90% be ear infection. In other words, if he was constantly in pain, I'd be doing the operation in a heart beat, but he's not (or didn't look like it ) :(</p> <p>I don't know why he doesn't outgrow it like other kids does....! None of my friends had to do this for their child. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/ear-tubes-finally#post-918455 Wed, 10 Jul 2013 07:38:28 +0000 autumnlove 918455@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@irene: Thanks for the explanation!</p> <p>Sorry about your husband. I hope everything goes well on Thursday! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/ear-tubes-finally#post-918452 Wed, 10 Jul 2013 07:37:24 +0000 looch 918452@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Tubes are not the end of the world, both of my younger brothers had them and my mom said that it was a game changer when they got the tubes in. No more forcing down antibiotics, no more screaming in pain, no more refusing to eat or drink.</p> <p>Good luck on procedure day! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/ear-tubes-finally#post-918444 Wed, 10 Jul 2013 07:35:08 +0000 irene 918444@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@T-Mom: Thanks...</p> <p>I was so worried I woke up at 4 this morning and all I can think of is the what ifs, and how he'd be crying his lungs out, and how are they going to do anesthesia on him when he's crying his lungs out. And how he may be in pain / discomfort and he doesn't know how to tell us, and how it may be even worse than before...etc.</p> <p>And of course my wonderful husband is anything but supportive. I think I will get cancer eventually. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/ear-tubes-finally#post-917881 Tue, 09 Jul 2013 22:16:04 +0000 T-Mom 917881@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@irene: I don't recall giving her anything but they may have prescribed some kind of drops. I can't remember the details.. But she slept fine that night and there was no noticeable discomfort. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/ear-tubes-finally#post-917837 Tue, 09 Jul 2013 22:06:48 +0000 irene 917837@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@autumnlove: for kids who have chronic / back-to-back ear infections. Somehow their ears didn't drain liquids in the middle ear effectively, causing repeated ear infections, so this is supposed to help draining their middle ears, and the middle ear will stay dry (and less of an optimal environment for bacteria to grow) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/ear-tubes-finally#post-917828 Tue, 09 Jul 2013 22:04:14 +0000 autumnlove 917828@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Aww, best of luck to you and your LO! I don't know anything about ear tubes...what are they for? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/ear-tubes-finally#post-917811 Tue, 09 Jul 2013 21:57:13 +0000 irene 917811@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@T-Mom: Thanks..... did your daughter had any discomfort post-op that were concerning? Did you have to give her Motrin?</p> <p>How sad that everyone says ear tubes are very common, but very few people (close to none) I talked to had experience with 'em. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/ear-tubes-finally#post-917732 Tue, 09 Jul 2013 21:33:19 +0000 T-Mom 917732@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>First of all- big hugs because i know how much you've been through to get to this point. I don't have any horror stories because the tubes were a godsend and the operation took literally 5 min. I did not notice any discomfort whatsoever for my DD at all. She never had an ear infection again. At her 3 yr appt her tubes were still in, and I forgot to ask at her 4 yr. I'm not sure whether you have to be worried about avoiding water, etc since the tubes provide automatic drainage... It will be great! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/ear-tubes-finally#post-917687 Tue, 09 Jul 2013 21:18:52 +0000 irene 917687@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We were diagnosed with the latest ear infection on Monday. And at last, we gave in and have scheduled to do the tubes this coming Thursday. </p> <p>LO is 17 months. I can no longer keep track of how many ear infections we had. Has to be between 12-15+ since late January. (we were completely clear before he turned 1)</p> <p>Any tips / advice / success / horror stories to share, so I can pay attention to? I asked my doc if there were any specific things I need to watch for and need to call them post-op, he said "massive amount of blood drainage", and "trust me, you'll know". But what about extreme fussiness? restlessness? drainage? crying? what is considered normal and what's not? And what about baths? shampooing? pools? water spray parks? </p> <p>Any tips / advice / sharing / prayers / warm healing thoughts are welcomed. </p>