There is nothing more scary than a sudden super temp to perk up a bank holiday weekend is there?
We’ve had a special event in my home town this weekend, and like all good locals, I headed down with my tribe to support it, despite the knowledge that it was going to be extremely busy, which is the most frustrating thing for a parent. I’d been up with Edie since 4.27am (yes, it’s specific, you know why? Because it is a fucking horrible time to wake up) because she wasn’t well, her temperature was high at 38.7, though I tend not to fret when the kids have anything under 40. A bit of calpol and a movie day, that’s all that is needed.
So off we tootle to our local Food Festival. There were hundreds of stalls, loads to see and do – not to mention a fun fair that saw the boys making like kangaroos with excitement. All the while, my quiet, pale little trooper dozed in her pushchair… Until she woke up properly and her pulse rate shot up, skin was burning and she was shaking like she was preparing to fit. My first thought was to rush home, dose her with more calpol and then ring 111 to have a chat about what to do next, but then I remembered there were some paramedics on the way out of the food festival, so if we took a little detour, we could easily swing past them, ask their advice and then head on home. Which we did, and it turned out that little miss had a temperature of 40.1 and we were taken up to A&E immediately, where we sat for 2 1/2hours waiting to get this temperature down.
After further investigation we discovered Miss Edith has an ear infection in her left ear, and a rather nasty one at that, but hopefully, the antibiotics that she is now being force fed at various intervals will sort her out in time for us to enjoy the half term as a family, without a screaming baby.
Just in case you find yourself in the same predicament as me, here are a few ways to help an ear infection:
Following medical advice, keep on top of pain medication. I write down when E has had paracetamol and ibuprofen and then I try to stagger them. Obviously, this is dependant on what your child is OK to take.
Warm and cold packs are often recommended, and I have found that if E is in serious pain she will lay her left ear (infected one) against my chest in an attempt to get some relief.
Don’t use ear drops unless advised by the doctor. These can often cause more of a problem and worsen the infection.
Herbal remedies can be found in places like Holland & Barratts, you can always ask at the counter for advice BUT make sure that it can be taken in conjunction with the medication you’ve been given.
Lots of kisses and cuddles, goes without saying really huh? I think for little ones, a movie day is the ticket. Snuggle up, watch movies and rest. Once the meds kick in, try and go out if they are feeling up to it and it will take their mind off things!
That’s it really, these are the best things we have found, though every child different so I guess it’s trial and error!
Got any ear infection buster tips?
H x
Oh wow that must have been scary – I’m the same 40 is like the magic number! Glad they managed to get it down. Ear infections can be nasty thanks for the tips I am sure they are going to come in useful!! Xx
Ear infections are the worst. Poor wee thing! Hope Edie feels better soon!
Poor thing! I definitely remember the occasional ear infection when my kids were little. They’re so much worse than they sound!
Poor little thing, ear infections can be a nightmare and I always have a load of calpol and nurpfen hand, you can alternate every 2 hours I’ve been told.
Oh no I hope she feels better soon, what an absolute pain for you all <3 x
Oh, ear infections are horrible. I can just never tell when an illness is down to one or now. Hope she feels better soon
Oh no! So sorry to hear about her ear infection and high temperature, I hope she feels better soon hun xxx
Thanks lovely xx
Ear ache is the absolute worst pain, if I ever get an ear infection I am literally in bits and cannot cope x
It has been so long since I’ve had one I can’t really remember! Poor baby girl x
It must be so hard when your kids are poorly, I can barely take care of myself when I am ill! x
I know! It’s rubbish!
These are great tips, I hope that she recovers soon, ear infections are very painful x
Thanks Claire, I know poor lamb x
aw bless hope all is better now.
Ive currently been battling with partial deafness due to an infection in my left ear , i went to the doctors last week after trying various things and she still refused to give me antibiotics after me suffering already for what seems to be a lifetime of 5 weeks . she shuffled me on my way telling me to use drops for another two weeks and then i can try seringing them in two weeks time ,im still in discomfort and cant hear a thing , thing is its going to my other ear now but im being made to suffer for longer , its horrible i can just thank that its not painful x
Oh no that’s awful! What a rubbish thing to happen, I hope it never comes to that for her :/
I am also suffering with an ear infection at the moment. It’s annoying me so i can sympathise to how she feels! Must be awful when you are a baby!
Oh no, feel better soon Leanne x
Aw Ear infection are horrible, Hope your wee one feels better soon xx
Thanks Nikki x
Oh no bless her 🙁 there is nothing worse than an ear infection and being so little they just do not understand. I hope she is feeling better soon x
Thanks Sam, me too!
Ouch! I always feel so sorry for little ones with an ear infection, as they just don’t understand what is going on.
Thanks Dannii, it’s awful isn’t it 🙁
That picture is so pretty. Lots of kisses and cuddles does help.
Thanks you, she does need lots of love x
I think it’s always great to have a stash of calpol and meds at hand for little ones. I have a special needs brother and he became unwell with fever over the weekend and luckily i had put some extra calpol and meds in my mums bag so she was able to treat him in the evening. Without it she would have been stuck with no car and most stores/shops closed. Hope Edie feels more well soon.
Oh no! That would have been really awful, it’s no fun is it?!