2 year old, me at wit's end, doesn't want to sleep

[Sierra pachie bars]

My son was pulling at his ear when he was young about 2. And mothers just know. It was maybe 3am. My husband wanted to sleep and was telling me nothing was wrong. I told him no something was wrong and he was going to take him to the ER. My husband thought I was insane but did as I asked. Turns out it was a inner ear infection. They gave him medication and sent him home. Whatever they gave him made him sleep which was what he needed.
Mothers have a bond that we just know. My hubby has learned that when I say something is wrong with one of my kids I am ALWAYS right.
If it is a ear infection they will get grumpier at night when the weather cools.
Trust your mommy radar.

 

[maplesky7]

ear pain is awful...i'd got to a walk in clinic as soon as possible rather than wait till monday... it's excruciating pain. and yes, colds and such are worse at night.

I've thought the same thing with my daughters...they seem ok in the day but come night it just gets worse.

heat is definitely a help... I also suffered ear infections often as a child into middle school. I always had a heating pad on low with a towel on top.

When the dr. gives you antibiotics for the infection...also request some numbing drops for the pain.

My sister works at mayo and she told me of this... because it takes a while yet for the antibiotics to kick the infection and can't bring immediate relief like the numbing drops.

poor little guy.

time for some jello and the brat diet... bananas, rice, applesauce, and toast to help with the upset tummy.

 

[Mom2Cool]

Quote:
FrenchHen it's his ear & he's more than likely in a LOT of pain particularly if he's tossing cookies.... The reason he doesn't complain during the day is because he is head up & walking around... Think of when you've got a cold & you lay your head on the pillow at night & what was just "annoying" is now you unable to breath until you pick your head up..... Then we steam, take meds etc until we are clear enough to breath. It's a pressure build up when he lays his head down.... An ear infection is not to be fooled with because left too long his ear drum could rupture.... I would not wait for Monday to get him to a doctor. If you've got one of those emergency medcial places that is enough to get a antibiotic I would use that place or if you don't have one then the hospital ER. It will take 24 hours for the antibiotic to *start* to kick in & that pressure (& the pain from that pressure) will not subside until the build up of fluid & infection go down.... If I remember correctly (my youngest is now 21 yrs. old) ear infections are more common in children because of the positioning of the tubes in the ears & that naturally changes with age... However hubby just went though having these reocurring ear infections & the reasonning why is another story but I'll tell you he would say that when he was not complaining about it the pressure was there & it bordered on pain, but at night he thought at times he was going out of his mind... And in his words "I don't think we could really appreciate the pain the kids were in with something like a simple ear infection". 0 A toddler is unable to articulate he's in pain except to pull on his ear & if he's getting sick from it the pain must be excruciating. I would not wait for Monday to find out because then it will be Tuesday until he's got any kind of relief.

 

[FrenchHen]

He only got sick once, and I think it was because of all the yelling and gulping air. We're working to make sure nothing goes awry with bedtime plans tonight. If we have a repeat episode, we'll be at immediate care as soon as it's open. I'll get some oatmeal in socks ready to microwave if tonight things start headed south.

Part of me thinks it's just him asserting his sense of self. He is the right age. But I'll call the doc Monday if tonight goes well, and I'll go to ICC if things don't.

He has no fever, which he usually sprouts with an ear infection.

Poor guy. We all need rest tonight.

 

[ruth]

Warm olive oil dropped in the ear is what my DH's doctor recommends for his "ear aches". It's a natural antibacterial treatment and is very soothing for ear aches and ear infections.

I would also recommend the dr. appt. ASAP since ear infections can quickly get out of control but in the meantime, that age-old remedy of warm olive oil works wonders.

 

[Mom2Cool]

Quote:
Ruth you gotta love the old time remedies huh? As a kid I didn't have ear infections & so when my kids had them I didn't know the "age-old remedy" because my mother never showed me....

Luckily mine didn't have too many (well untill my kid joinged swim team but that was much later in childhood) but anyway I think it's nice having the internet where people can give instruction on the old ways... They always seem to work too.

 

[EweSheep]

I do remember the warm olive oil in my ears when I ached so bad. It was soothing! If no olive oil, I do remember my Dad uses mineral oil.

 

[redhen]

Hows the baby today??

 

[FrenchHen]

Baby went to sleep last night after a bit of a fight, but today went down for a nap without a peep (other than protesting that he didn't want a nap). He slept through the night.
I'm 90% sure it's an independence thing, but he needs a checkup so I'll call the Doctor tomorrow anyway.
We've not been terribly consistent with him. Husband tends to give in to the whining and fussing to keep things quiet, but I'm more of a toughie when it comes to saying "no." So I think with some more consistency and a checkup, we're on our way to fine.

Thanks for the suggestions and good thoughts. I'll file them away for the next ear infection!

 

[TACEYPERKINS]

Hi FrenchHEN- I have 2 little ones too. Ear infections are really common in my family. I just wanted to let you know that he could be getting in his molars right now. He could also be having pain without having a fever. But, ear pain usually went hand in hand with the teething. Does your little guy like popcycles or sucking on ice/teething ring? If he does, that might help with dulling some mouth pain. You can also use it as an indicator if he does have pain or not. Like if he is really happy and content during and after sucking on it, then it probably feels good to him.You can also get a clean wash rag, get it wet and fold it in half, then roll it up like a carrot and freeze it! The little ones love it. They can chew on it, suck on it, till it thaws and no little pieces to be worried about . Also,All of the childrens Dr.s that I have taken my kids to have always recomended infant tylenol. It works!You can put the dose of med in something that you know he will eat or drink.Is he still taking a bottle. I woudn't put it in his bottle. But what you can do is Get the dropper of meds ready, put the bottle up to his mouth so it opens . Squirt the med in his mouth then put the bottle it! If done right it is so fast he wont even know he took his meds. Good luck, I still would take him to the Dr. as soon as you can. But that should get you throuh one more night. He may not want to eat that much, that is alright. Less food to throw up. AGAIN GOOD LUCK~ I hope this helps all of you get some rest tonight. ~ Tacey