Glue ear in babies and what you can do to ease symptoms

Is your baby or toddler battling to hear, irritable, unable to sleep, or clutching one or both of their ears? If so, they could have a condition known as “glue ear” (medical term: otitis medial).

Contrary to what the name suggests, “glue ear” is not actual glue in the ear (thank goodness for that), but rather a result of a build-up of fluid in the middle ear.

Ear infections in small children

Ear infections are common during childhood years. That’s because little ones have smaller tubes (called the Eustachian tubes) that connect the middle ear to the throat.

When your tot has a cold, germs from the throat can travel up to the middle ear and cause an infection. It’s not uncommon for small children to have lots of ear infections in one year, sometimes as often as once every month.

The good news is that most infections get better quickly and are not usually serious. Other times, however, a trip to your family doctor may be on the cards.

What is glue ear?

Glue ear is a result of a build-up of fluid in the middle ear. It’s the leading cause of hearing loss in toddlers and children, with four out of every five experiencing at least one episode of glue ear by the age of 10.  

Why does glue ear cause hearing problems?

The eardrum cannot vibrate properly when the middle ear fills with fluid. Hearing impairments can result, ranging from mild to severe. Glue ear usually goes away on its own but in some cases, treatment may be required to alleviate any hearing issues and ensure your baby is happy and healthy.

What are the signs and symptoms of glue ear?

Your baby or toddler may have glue ear if they:

• suffer from a cold or upper respiratory congestion for more than two weeks
• have thick yellow-green discharge from their nose and/or eyes
• have fluid coming out of their ears, which can be watery or thick
• get irritable when positioned on their back (in this position, fluid collects in the Eustachian tube and cannot drain, pressing uncomfortably on the eardrum)
• ignore callings or commands
• have delayed speech development 

Six ways to treat your baby’s glue ear

1. Change baby’s formula

If you are bottle-feeding, change your baby to an allergy formula or one less problematic to remove a common trigger of excess mucus.

2. Avoid mucus triggers, like grain products

Grain products like baby cereals are common mucus triggers, as are dairy products like yoghurt and cheese. Reduce or avoid their intake.

3. Use a heat pack or hot-water bottle

Place a covered hot-water bottle against the affected side to loosen thick secretions. It should not be too hot, to avoid burns.

4. Place baby in an upright position

Earache may improve during the day due to being in an upright position but may recur at night. Prop yourself up against pillows or in a rocking chair with your baby sleeping on your lap, as this ensures better fluid drainage and less pain.

5. Try homeopathic remedies

Homeopathic remedies Otitis drops or Chamomilla D6 can be taken orally for earache and ear infection. The homeopathic remedy Buso drops (taken orally) can treat chronic fluid build-up in the ears. Homeopathic Pulsatilla can be used for yellow-green discharge with a blocked nose.

6. Try tissue salt remedies

Clear, frothy, profuse, watery mucus may respond well to the tissue salt remedy Nat mur. If the mucus is thick, white to grey, and sluggish, try the tissue salt remedy Kali mur. For yellow, sticky, or slimy mucus, use the tissue salt remedy Kali sulph. Green, lumpy mucus may respond well to the tissue salt remedy Calc sulph.