Giving your child ear drops can be a simple process if done carefully. First, ensure the ear drops are at room temperature to avoid discomfort. Have your child lie down or tilt their head so the affected ear faces upward. Gently pull the ear backward and upward (for older children) to straighten the ear canal, then administer the prescribed number of drops. Keep the child in that position for a few minutes to allow the medication to reach the inner ear before gently wiping away any excess.
How to Give Your Child Ear Drops
Your child may need ear drops for conditions like ear infections, swimmer’s ear, or after surgery. Here are some tips to help you give ear drops correctly.
Before You Begin
- Check the medicine: Make sure you’re using the correct ear drops by checking the name on the bottle and reading the label to know how many drops to administer.
- Position your child: Have your child lie on a bed or sofa with their ear facing up. Alternatively, they can sit in a chair, but their head should still be tilted to one side.
- Move hair away: Push your child’s hair behind the ear to clear the area.
Administering the Ear Drops
Follow these steps to ensure the ear drops are applied properly. If both ears need drops, repeat these steps for the second ear.
- Open the ear: Hold the outer rim of the ear and gently pull it up and back. This helps open the ear canal for the drops to go in correctly.
- Hold the dropper steady: Hold the bottle with the dropper tip slightly above the ear opening. To keep your hand steady, rest your wrist against your child’s cheek.
- Squeeze the bottle: Gently squeeze the bottle to release the drops. Count the drops as they go into the ear.
- Massage the ear: After applying the drops, gently press the area in front of the ear (called the tragus) multiple times to help the drops move deeper into the ear.
By following these steps, you can make