Viruses can pass easily from person to person, especially children. This can make ear infections hard to avoid. Some steps that may help include:

Avoid Irritants or Allergens

Smoke and allergens can irritate the airways. It can cause swelling and increased fluids. This can make it easier for germs to settle in or travel to ear. To decrease these risks:

• If you smoke, try to quit. Talk to your doctor about tools that may help.
• Keep children away from cigarette smoke. It is best to avoid any smoking in the home. Do not smoke or let others smoke in the same room as your child or in the car.
• Avoid wood stoves to heat your home. If you do use this form of heat, try to keep children away from the smoke.
• The doctor may test your child for allergies. Take steps to avoid what is causing the problems.

Consider Breastfeeding Your Baby for at Least the First 6 Months

Breast milk can make your baby's immune system stronger. This may mean fewer illnesses in first few years.

If You Bottle-feed Your Baby, Keep Your Baby’s Head as Upright as Possible

Fluid can travel from the back of the throat, up to the ear. This happens more often in babies because of short tubes between the throat and ear. Keep your baby's head upright when bottle feeding. This will let fluid flow down to stomach instead of up to the ear. Angled bottles may also help.

Never lay your baby down flat in bed with a bottle.

Preventive Care for High Risk

Some children may have many infections in the ear. There may also be problems with fluid that increase the risk of new infections. Long-term antibiotics may be given to prevent a new infection.

The tube between the ear and the back of the nose is shorter in all children. In some this tube may be causing more fluid buildup and infections. A surgery called myringotomy may help. It places a tube inside the ear. Most tubes will fall out or be removed within 6 months to 1 year.

Limit Pacifier Use

Regular use of pacifiers increase the use of ear infections. It may be best to use them only when going to sleep. Try to wean your child from the pacifier by the time they are 1 year old. When in use, set rules for when the pacifier can be used. Wash the pacifier and/or replace it often. This is most important after a cold, sore throat, or other infection of airways.

Immunizations

Ask your doctor about immunizations. This may prevent illnesses that can lead to ear problems. A yearly flu shot may be helpful, especially if asthma or other illnesses are present.

Wash Hands

Wash your hands often. Teach your children to do the same. If your child chews on toys, keep those toys separate. Wash them well before they are played with again.

Cover your mouth with a disposable tissue or elbow when they cough or sneeze. Throw the tissue away after use. Teach your child to do the same.

Check Snoring Out

Snoring in children may be caused by large adenoids. Adenoids sit at the back of the nose. If they are too big they may block the tube from the ear to the back of the throat. This will make it hard for fluid to drain from the ear and increase the risk of infections. The doctor may recommend that your child have their adenoids removed. The surgery may not stop middle ear infections. It can help to get rid of fluid buildup in the ear.