https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Fri, 08 May 2026 10:51:18 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-old-was-your-lo-when-they-got-tubes-in-their-ears#post-2574463 Fri, 24 Jun 2016 09:47:30 +0000 Foodnerd81 2574463@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mrs Green Grass: maybe I'm misremembering. I haven't slept much in he last three weeks!! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-old-was-your-lo-when-they-got-tubes-in-their-ears#post-2574450 Fri, 24 Jun 2016 09:34:04 +0000 Mrs Green Grass 2574450@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Foodnerd81: wow our threshold is much higher! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-old-was-your-lo-when-they-got-tubes-in-their-ears#post-2574380 Fri, 24 Jun 2016 08:09:22 +0000 MamaG 2574380@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Foodnerd81: the surgery was so easy in hindsight and I'm so thankful we did it. For three months we were in the dr on a every two week basis and two trips to urgent care and one to the er. We ran up so many medical bills and everyone was miserable. Six months later no infections and a few colds. Not a single sick visit in six months!! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-old-was-your-lo-when-they-got-tubes-in-their-ears#post-2574362 Fri, 24 Jun 2016 07:54:42 +0000 Foodnerd81 2574362@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mrs Green Grass: I was told it was either 4 diagnosed ear infections (as in required antibiotics, since we had one mild one that didn't need the antibiotics and we didn't count it) in 12 months, or 3 in 6 months, I think. </p> <p>I'm honestly looking forward to it. Surgery sucks but she is so miserable every time. It's been non stop since January. I'm glad to read of a few kids who got them later like her. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-old-was-your-lo-when-they-got-tubes-in-their-ears#post-2574329 Fri, 24 Jun 2016 07:10:46 +0000 looch 2574329@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We never got tubes, my son started with ear infections after colds at the age of 2 and then pretty much by age 3.5 his canals had developed that "dip" that allows him to drain the fluid on his own and we've been ear infection free. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-old-was-your-lo-when-they-got-tubes-in-their-ears#post-2574264 Fri, 24 Jun 2016 02:25:52 +0000 Truth Bombs 2574264@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We got our first set at 10 months. They were an immediate life save. But at her two year appointment they were both out. Shortly after that we were back to constant infections, so we got a second set at 2.5. She's 3.5 now and the second set have been a miracle cure as well. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-old-was-your-lo-when-they-got-tubes-in-their-ears#post-2574225 Fri, 24 Jun 2016 00:32:16 +0000 Mrs Green Grass 2574225@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I don't know exactly when I got tubes but I think I was 3. I absolutely remember ear infections. The pain was horrible. I also remember before the anesthesia having them ask what flavor gas I wanted and to count. And then waking up with my parents. It was easy and no more pain. I can seriously almost feel try pain as my LO suffers through them. He's 3.5 and just outside the 5 in 6 months or whatever it is. He has like 4 or 5 in 7 or 8 months... </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-old-was-your-lo-when-they-got-tubes-in-their-ears#post-2574219 Fri, 24 Jun 2016 00:18:09 +0000 MamaG 2574219@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>13 months. We had our surgery in less than a week from our ENT consult. It's been a game changer for us. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-old-was-your-lo-when-they-got-tubes-in-their-ears#post-2574150 Thu, 23 Jun 2016 21:15:30 +0000 travellingbee 2574150@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>9 months but he needs another set now at 3. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-old-was-your-lo-when-they-got-tubes-in-their-ears#post-2574148 Thu, 23 Jun 2016 21:13:52 +0000 SweetCaroline 2574148@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Foodnerd81: she was 10 months and had 8-9 ear infections. I pushed it off as long as I could so she'd be a bit older and bigger, couldn't do it to a tiny baby. I'm glad we did it, the experience was fantastic and the have improved quality of life for all involved (most importantly DD's). </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-old-was-your-lo-when-they-got-tubes-in-their-ears#post-2574065 Thu, 23 Jun 2016 20:05:53 +0000 Foodnerd81 2574065@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mrs D: @gingerbebe: I guess we are lucky that this came up later for us, because she already talks like crazy. She sucks at listening when she has an ear infection but I don't think it's a hearing problem. :silly: </p> <p>Got a call that we have our appt the first week of August, right after she turns three. I'm kind of hoping they just do then, ear infections are so hard for her! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-old-was-your-lo-when-they-got-tubes-in-their-ears#post-2573400 Thu, 23 Jun 2016 11:07:18 +0000 Mrs D 2573400@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@gingerbebe: We heard the same from our ENT...that K's hearing was compromised 30-40% due to fluid build up. I was heartbroken. FWIW - I expected an immediate change in her...but I would say it was probably 3 mos after surgery that her talking TOOK OFF...it was unreal...flood gates opened...</p> <p>@Foodnerd81: Similar to what GingerBeBe said...we checked in at 630, the actual procedure was probably at 8:30...like 15 different people came and talked me through everything before taking her back. They came to take her, we packed up and were taken to the waiting room (we had been in pre-surgery) it was literally 5 mins after sitting down (so maybe 10 mins total) that the Dr came out to say all was good.</p> <p>We were brought into recover after she had woken up - they can be all crazy from the medication...once she ate something we were free to go. We were home by 10am...she could have totally gone to Daycare but I decided to stay home with her instead... </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-old-was-your-lo-when-they-got-tubes-in-their-ears#post-2573390 Thu, 23 Jun 2016 10:59:59 +0000 Mrs D 2573390@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Foodnerd81: Our ENT has two options for where to had the surgery...we labored over it a bit...the surgical center is definitely easier and more convenient but the hospital was 100% the right decision for my nerves... </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-old-was-your-lo-when-they-got-tubes-in-their-ears#post-2573375 Thu, 23 Jun 2016 10:54:46 +0000 gingerbebe 2573375@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We just got them for my son at 21 months a week ago. He had 5 ear infections between January and May. When we saw the audiologist as part of our referral, she said there was so much fluid in his ear that it was like he was hearing under water and that it was likely why he wasn't talking too much - it was affecting his speech. That sealed the deal for us, plus DS is starting a 2's preschool program in the fall - aka a new pond of germs.</p> <p>DH insisted on a pediatric anesthesiologist, so we had the procedure done at a surgical center a bit further from home. But it was really fast. We had to report by 630am and were home a little after 9am - and the surgery center was 45 minutes away from our house! The surgery typically takes 8-10 minutes, but our doctor said DS' took 23 minutes because he had so much earwax and fluid to clean out before they began the procedure (gross). So theoretically, we could have been home even sooner.</p> <p>DS was completely fine afterwards and the doctor gave him zero restrictions. In fact the baby valium they gave him made him sorta crazy and hyper so we decided to feed him breakfast and just take him to daycare so he could burn off his energy. The caretakers said he had a great day at daycare, took a great nap, and all we needed to do was give him drops in his ears for 3 days. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-old-was-your-lo-when-they-got-tubes-in-their-ears#post-2573343 Thu, 23 Jun 2016 10:30:10 +0000 Foodnerd81 2573343@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mrs D: our referral is to Boston Childrens Hospital which was just ranked the best pediatric hospital in the U.S., so I feel like she will be in good hands! </p> <p>I almost had tubes as a kid- like I was one infection away when I guess my ear canals matured enough. My older sister had them. DH doesn't ever remember having a single ear infection, so I guess she got my ears. :sad: </p> <p>@mrs.shinerbock: let me know how yours goes! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-old-was-your-lo-when-they-got-tubes-in-their-ears#post-2573298 Thu, 23 Jun 2016 10:04:56 +0000 Mrs D 2573298@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>K got hers at 18 mos after 7 ear infections. Best thing ever. It was scary for sure but we had ours done at the hospital (as opposed to an outpatient facility) which was comforting to me knowing that if god forbid anything went wrong she had the best care available.</p> <p>He tubes had fallen out by 32 mos but we have had no issues since. Our ENT indicated that she rarely has to do repeat tubes (she said 5% of cases) because when they fall out it is generally bc the canal has matured properly.</p> <p>Perhaps your little ones canals just has not matured yet...</p> <p>DD2 has not had issues yet (she is barely 4 mos) but I will not be going all the way through 7 infections before I push the issue...it was just awful for DD1. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-old-was-your-lo-when-they-got-tubes-in-their-ears#post-2573285 Thu, 23 Jun 2016 10:00:31 +0000 Smurfette 2573285@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>21 months and she got maybe 2 in the next year that we just used drops for. At her 3 yr appointment, one had fallen out already and then other was close. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-old-was-your-lo-when-they-got-tubes-in-their-ears#post-2573273 Thu, 23 Jun 2016 09:53:29 +0000 mrs.shinerbock 2573273@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Foodnerd81: We have a similar situation - my LO had one ear infection before she was 2, but is 2.5 and has had 5 in the last 5 months (since she started daycare.) We just got a referral to an ENT and have an appointment next month.</p> <p>I had tubes in my ears twice as a child - the first time I was very young (like 2?) but the second time I was in school so at least 5 or 6. I continued to get at least one ear ache a year until I was in high school. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-old-was-your-lo-when-they-got-tubes-in-their-ears#post-2573228 Thu, 23 Jun 2016 09:34:41 +0000 LulaBee 2573228@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>E was 17 months when she got them. H is on her 3rd ear infection at 7 months, so I'm thinking she may have to get them too. </p> <p>I don't know anyone personally whose kid got them at 3- E's have already fallen out! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-old-was-your-lo-when-they-got-tubes-in-their-ears#post-2573227 Thu, 23 Jun 2016 09:34:29 +0000 wrkbrk 2573227@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Foodnerd81: Hey there! Sorry to hear about your DD. :( I have not experienced this, but my understanding was they stop doing tubes around 3 years old because that's when ear infections will resolve themselves. Something about the ear shape changing for the better! Good luck with this. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-old-was-your-lo-when-they-got-tubes-in-their-ears#post-2573191 Thu, 23 Jun 2016 09:20:23 +0000 Foodnerd81 2573191@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My poor almost 3 year old is on her fifth ear infection since January (though one was mild enough that it didn't require antibiotics). Before this she only ever had one at 18 months. We have a referral to see an ENT specialist about tubes, just waiting for an appt, but at this point it's looking very likely. I thought 3 was old to just be getting tubes but clearly she's got a problem- any time she gets a cold it's an ear infection lately. </p> <p>So how old was your LO when they got tubes or just stopped getting so many ear infections? How was the experience? Of course I'd rather she didn't need them but she's so miserable as it is so if that's what the doctor recommends I am all for it. </p>