Baby Hygiene
<p><b>How to clean your baby's ear</b></p><p><b>Safety is key</b></p>
<p>When taking care of your baby, you need to always ensure delicate care and safety. This goes for their little ears too. So, before you reach for earbuds to clear anything you see in your baby's ears, here's what you need to understand.</p>
<p>Babies' ears also produce wax just like adults. Occasionally, this wax can come to the surface of the ear, and you may wonder how to get rid of it. Well, earwax is healthy for your baby as it protects, lubricates, and provides antibacterial properties. You don't need to remove it, as it could cause harmful damage.</p>
<p><b>What is earwax?</b></p>
<p>Earwax, also called cerumen is a substance that our bodies naturally make. Even babies make cerumen. Glands in the ear produce earwax to trap dirt and foreign invaders that could harm the ear. Earwax colour can range from brownish to yellowish; and in children and babies, it tends to be softer and lighter.</p>
<p>While it may not cause any harm, it's important to know how to clean your baby's ears the correct way.</p>
<p>Earwax usually builds up, dries out, and moves to the outer ear where it falls out. But, when it builds up faster than the baby's body can get rid of it, earaches, itching and even hearing problems can develop.</p>
<p><b>Safe cleaning</b></p>
<p>To clean your baby's ears, you'll need a cotton ball that's been soaked with warm water. You can also use a gentle washcloth with some warm water (not hot). Here's what to do:</p>
<p>•<span style="white-space:pre;"> </span>Wet the washcloth or cotton ball with warm water and wring it well.</p>
<p>•<span style="white-space:pre;"> </span>Gently wipe behind your baby's ears and around the outside of each ear.</p>
<p>•<span style="white-space:pre;"> </span>Never stick the washcloth or cotton ball inside your baby's ear. This can cause damage to the ear canal.</p>
<p><b>Eardrops</b></p>
<p>If your baby has been prescribed eardrops, here’s what to do:</p>
<p>•<span style="white-space:pre;"> </span>Lay your baby on their side with the affected ear facing up.</p>
<p>•<span style="white-space:pre;"> </span>Gently pull the lower lobe down and back to open the canal.</p>
<p>•<span style="white-space:pre;"> </span>Place the amount of drops the doctor has recommended.</p>
<p>•<span style="white-space:pre;"> </span>Keep the drops in your baby's ear by keeping your baby in a lying position for up to 10 minutes, then roll them over so the side with the drops is facing down.</p>
<p>•<span style="white-space:pre;"> </span>Let the eardrops run out of your baby's ear onto a tissue.</p>
<p>•<span style="white-space:pre;"> </span>Always follow your doctor's orders.</p>
<p>If any of these methods don't help, the doctor may opt to use an infant earwax removal tool. Stubborn earwax is sometimes scraped out with a tool called a curette; the process is done gently so the baby doesn't get hurt.</p>
<p>Should earwax get in the way of you routinely cleaning your baby's ears, it's time to see a doctor. If you have any other queries on how best to take care of your little one’s ears, don't hesitate to check with your doctor.</p>
