As a parent, especially of a newborn, you have to constantly be on the lookout for how your baby is feeling. The younger your child is, the less they are able to deal with certain diseases and medical complications on their own. The constant vigilance can be stressful, but it is of course very worth it in order to ensure that our children grow up to be happy and healthy. Regardless of how vigilant you are, you may not know all of the signs of things you should be watching out for. In today’s article, we’re going to go over some of the most common signs that your child may have an ear infection as a newborn, infant, and toddler.
Signs of Ear Infection in Newborns (0-3 Months)
This is such a crucial time to be looking out for health issues as something that is relatively minor in an adult can be devastating to a newborn. Here’s what to look out for in case you think that your newborn has an ear infection:
- Unusual fussiness or crying
- Difficulty feeding (sucking can cause ear pressure)
- Trouble sleeping or increased restlessness
- Fever (sometimes, but not always)
- Tip: if you notice these symptoms, tell your child’s doctor right away or at least call the nurse line
Signs of Ear Infection in Infants (4-12 Months)
- Tugging or pulling at the ear
- Increased irritability, especially when lying down
- Trouble balancing (early signs during crawling/standing)
- Loss of appetite or feeding aversion
- Fever (over 100.4°F often prompts a doctor visit)
- Tip: If symptoms persist beyond 24 hours, call the pediatrician.
Signs of Ear Infection in Toddlers (1-3 Years)
- Complaining about ear pain (“ouchy ear”)
- Loss of balance or clumsiness
- Difficulty hearing or responding to sounds
- Drainage from the ear (yellow, white, or clear fluid)
- Trouble sleeping through the night
- General moodiness or sudden behavior changes
- Tip: If symptoms persist beyond 24 hours, call the pediatrician.
When to Seek Professional Help
If you’re pretty sure your child has been battling an ear infection and you notice any of these signs below, please contact your pediatrician right away.
- High fever (over 102°F)
- Symptoms lasting more than a day
- Fluid draining from the ear
- Child seems very uncomfortable or lethargic
- Chronic or recurring ear infections (could signal underlying issues)
Need support caring for your newborn, especially during times of illness? Our overnight newborn care services can help you and your baby get the rest and support you need.
Before You Go
We hope you enjoyed learning about tips for detecting a potential ear infection in your child. If you would like to know more about this, our sleep learning, consulting or training programs or any of our excellent newborn care services or overnight newborn support, we are happy to help. Just contact us and we can go over your options and help you find the best path for your little one.
We hope these tips have helped you along your journey. If you have any questions about helping your baby to sleep better, or about your baby in general, please reach out to us HERE. We are experts in all things baby and sleep and would love to help!
Katie B.
Expertise You Need:
- Certified Master Pediatric Sleep Consultant
- Certified Advanced Newborn Care Specialist (2016-2022)
- Board Certified Holistic Healthcare Practitioner
- 16 years professional childcare experience
- Certified Postpartum Doula (2015-2022)
- Travel & ROTA Nanny
Katie has over 16 years experience working with children of all ages. As a Pediatric Sleep Consultant and Newborn Care Specialist, she has professionally supported families and babies worldwide over the last 10 years. Her mission is to help the entire family unit get better sleep, utilizing a holistic approach that supports the baby or child’s natural biologic drive to sleep. She has personally served hundreds of families, holds 20,000+ hours exclusively caring for infants & babies and has 69+ 5-⭐️ Google reviews.
