Question for the parents on BP

[iambrutus]

We just found out yesterday that my daughter has ear infections in both ears, and her left ear drum is ruptured, and now she will have to have tubes put in.

Mallory is our first child and i'm worried sick about this. I know they do nearly 2 million of these every year and its a simple procedure, but that doesn't help me.

Have any of you had to deal with this before? Any tips/tricks for aftercare?

 

[Brutus1]

Have Dr. Lippy perform the procedure.


You'll always worry sick about the first time your child has any type
of surgery.

Ears can be a pain for kids.

Hope all goes perfect. It will.

 

[iambrutus]

Have Dr. Lippy perform the procedure.


You'll always worry sick about the first time your child has any type
of surgery.

Ears can be a pain for kids.

Hope all goes perfect. It will.

thanks, i assume you have had experience with Dr. Lippy

 

[3yardsandacloud]

Worry is good ... shows you care.

No one wants to be put under for an operation, especially a child (when viewed thru the eyes of a parent). The proceedure is safe and will eliminate future ear infections. Wish we would have had it done sooner (if you can believe that). Continued and reoccuring ear infections are not only painful for your child, they can lead to hearing and speech impediments down the line.

If your doctor is introduced as "Dr. Tibor75" ... run screaming out of the office. :)

TIPS: All I can think of is keep water out of the ear canal. Ear plugs when swimming and possibly even at shower/bath time. The tubes will simply fall out on their own in 1-3 years IIRC.

 

[iambrutus]

thanks guys, i've read a bunch online today, but that doesn't seem to help. "hearing" it from people that have been through it helps.

 

[Buck Nasty]

"What he said"

It is about the most common procedure there is for small kids. You really should have nothing to worry about. If you are concerned about the perforation, don't be, many times the ear drum perforation is the best thing that can happen since it reduces the pressure and lets all the fluid get out.

The fact that you do not have to worry about future infections is good, especially now that the Docs are trying really hard to avoid giving antibiotics as much. Your daugther will be better off later if she is prone to ear infections when they need to give her anitbiotics for something else.

 

[NFBuck]

My daughter went through the same procedure last November...worried me sick, but she came out fine. It's not necessarily common, but follow the doctors instructions and all will be OK with no side effects.

 

[BuckBackHome]

I had it done when I was little. It was a piece of cake, but there is no such thing as a minor procedure. Make sure you are 100% comfortable with the doctor who is performing the procedure.

One tip - Be in her room when she wakes up. I still remember coming out of sedation in a room all by myself. It was not a good thing.

 

[Brutus1]

It's been reported that breast feeding drastically reduces the chances of ear infections. If/when you have another child (an IMB Jr.), you might want to have your wife try that.

And no, I think you may be too old for those benefits yourself. :)

 

[BuckeyeTillIDie]

I had two sets of tubs put in as a baby -- in the 1980s. I'm sure they can do them much better now than then, but I can hear fine! Hope everything goes smoothly with your daughter!

 

[fighter59]

One thing to keep in mind, you're not suppose to submerge their ears in water. This is sometimes difficult during bathing. Just a tip.

It does more good than anything. You'll be glad you did it and so will they, they won't get as many ear infections.

I presume they're leaving her adnoids (sp?) in? We have to have them removed as well.

 

[iambrutus]

One thing to keep in mind, you're not suppose to submerge their ears in water. This is sometimes difficult during bathing. Just a tip.

It does more good than anything. You'll be glad you did it and so will they, they won't get as many ear infections.

I presume they're leaving her adnoids (sp?) in? We have to have them removed as well.

we dont submerge her ears in water, actually we just barely get them wet- enough to clean, but nothing excessive.

i dont know what they are doing completely. we only had an appointment yesterday to see if she had gotten over the ear infection.

 

[Oh8ch]

My son had tubes put in both ears before he could walk. He is 27 now.

It was tough watching them cart off a kid in diapers, but stress on the parents was the worst consequence I observed. That, and he didn't listen to a thing I said growing up.

 

[DEBuckeye]

My little guy had them put in earlier this year, and I'll echo what everyone else has said about worrying when your kid goes in for the procedure. I read research like crazy as well...

Now that he has them, his ear infections (and other illnesses) have virtually disappeared. They've made a huge difference.

 

[The KSB]

My oldest constantly had raging ear infections. When she finally had tubes put in it was a blessing. She was so much better after that. Like others have said the hardest part is watching them take your baby away for the procedure. Good luck.