Breastfeeding and Ear Infection in Infants

Introduction:

A mother's milk is the safest and most nutritious food source for a child. Breast milk is also used in eye infections and cancer patients due to its rich composition of fighter or immune cells. There is no clinical evidence of breast milk causing any ear infection. However, there are increased chances of developing an ear infection while using a bottled formula to feed the baby. Bottle feeding can cause the milk to seep into the middle ear and cause ear infections. As we know, the sinuses of the face are hollow passages that are interconnected to each other.

What Is an Ear Infection and How Does It Occur in Nursing Babies?

Acute ear infection or acute otitis media is an upper airway infection caused due to a bacterial colony known as Pneumococcus. These are not contagious. Half of the bacterial ear infection is caused due to Pneumococcus. In order to reduce ear infections in children, the right breastfeeding practice is ensured. A proper breastfeeding position and latch are achieved first to prevent ear infections. Ear infections are caused due to the blockage of the Eustachian tube, either due to bacterial or viral infections or cold, allergy, or upper respiratory tract infections. The accumulation of these bacteria and viruses can build pus and mucous inside the ears. This pus can cause the following symptoms:

• Fever.

• Pain in ears.

• Swelling in ears.

• Hearing difficulties.

• Fluid discharge from the ears.

• Redness in the outer or inner ear.

• Crying more than usual.

Ear infection in children is more painful when compared to adults. The infection causes swelling, and the tiny Eustachian tube gets closed in babies, thus preventing the air and fluid from leaving the ear. The internal and external parts of the ear are small in babies.

Can Breastfeeding Cause Ear Infection in Infants?

Using a mother's breast milk and taking formulated milk are two different things. There is an increased association between formula milk causing ear infections. A mother's natural breast milk inhibits the growth of bacteria. In contrast, the formulated milk encourages the growth of bacteria. When the baby is lying and given formula milk, there is an increased risk of leaking this milk into the Eustachian tube and middle ear. This causes ear infections. Also, when a child sucks from the mother's breasts, it does not cause the milk to leak into the ear space. But bottle feeding and the baby's lying position increase the risk of milk seeping into the ear and causing infection.

What Other Conditions Can Cause Ear Infection in Children During Breastfeeding?

An ear infection could be caused due to other factors, such as:

• Teething: When the first milk teeth start erupting, it may irritate children. The children may touch their ears frequently, giving an impression of ear infection. The nerves which supply the teeth extend up to the middle ear, so babies might start rubbing their ears during teeth eruption.

How Important Is a Mother’s Sleeping Position During Breastfeeding?

According to the Journal of Pediatric and Child Health, any liquid diet taken while lying down can lead to an ear infection. This is primarily caused due to the sucking mechanism, the baby's position, and the bottle's fluid content. All these factors can harm the tender ear tissues and make them more vulnerable to ear infections. Hence, it is advised to make the baby sit in an upright position while bottle feeding.

What Are the Risk Factors Associated With Ear Infection?

Certain risk factors that can further trigger ear infections in babies are.

• Weakened immune system.

• Improper hygiene.

• Recurrent infections.

• Frequent traveling and exposure to windy climates.

• Exposure to swimming or swimming pools. Deep diving into water can create pressure inside the ear and cause discomfort.

• Flight travel.

• Long-standing fever.

• Exposure to large gatherings.

How Can Ear Infections Be Prevented in Nursing Babies?

Newborns are prone to infections due to developing immune systems. Hence, extra precautions and care are given to the baby. Some of the preventive measures taken for reducing ear infections in kids are as follows:

• Avoid places of pollution like cigarette smoking areas or secondhand smoke, as this can irritate the ears.

• Choose a smaller daycare to reduce the kid's exposure to an ear infection.

• Continue breastfeeding for at least six months to boost immunity.

• Limit the use of pacifiers to reduce bacterial population in the mouth.

• Use the right position while bottle feeding. Make the baby sit upright while feeding. This decreases the chances of liquid flowing into the middle ear and causing an ear infection.

• Children with recurrent ear infections can be given ear tubes. These tubes prevent fluid accumulation in the ears and prevent hearing loss. These small tubes are surgically placed inside the child's ear drum. It is made up of a plastic material that helps to drain the fluid from the middle ear.

What Are the Treatments Taken to Cure Ear Infection in Children?

Children with acute ear infections are given ear drops and antibiotic therapy. Antibiotics like Ceftriaxone can be injected locally on the thighs to reduce the severity of infection. The most commonly used antibiotic is Amoxicillin. High dosages are given for seven to ten days. Treatment can also fail due to antibiotic-resistant microorganisms. If the fever does not come down after forty-eight hours of antibiotic therapy, further intervention is advised to determine if the bacterial or virus infection occurs. Switching off to an alternative medicine will be recommended by the specialist.

Conclusion:

Around half of the pediatric population having ear infections are caused due to bacterial invasion. About eighty percent of these infections do not require antibiotic medications and go away after a week. If the child has a recurrent infection happening more than three times in six months, then further intervention by an ENT specialist is required. A long-term ear infection can become a chronic condition if left untreated. It can even cause deafness due to excessive fluid accumulation in the eardrum, tympanic membrane, and the small bones of the ear called ossicles. Also, breast milk is the safest nutritional supplement for a baby. Children who are breastfed are healthier and do not get any infections.