What are some alternatives to antibiotics for an ear infection for my 1 year old child?

He has only had an ear infection twice, but he HATES the medicine!! I have tried everything to get him to take it. Any suggestions on getting him to take it, or is there an alternative to the antibiotics to get rid of an ear infection?

I use Colloidal Silver on my kids (you can give it by mouth or pour it right in the ear - if the child will keep it in there for 6 minutes it kills the infection) and keep their head elevated when they sleep. I am also a big fan of the steam bath for kids when they get sick (I sit with them on the edge of the tub while running the shower hot with a rag that has eucalyptus or tea tree oil on it in the water for 15 mins) and now these new Xylitol candies (which you can probably crush a bit to make it safer for such a young one - my 3yr old loves the lemon ones) which help to fight ear infections and even cavities with a low glycemic index.

Here are the links I use:

http://www.mynsp.com/carole/products/gui...
http://www.mynsp.com/carole/products/gui...
http://www.mynsp.com/carole/products/gui...

Peace!

PS - to the guy who warns against natural remedies: My kids are 3 and 7 and they have only ever been treated with herbal remedies their whole life. Your thinking is outmoded.

Call and speak with one of the nurses in your pediatricians office. They can be very helpful with this.

there are no alternatives for infection of such a small child better go to a doctor, do not try anything silly. herbals and alternatives work better on body system disorders, on infections etc. modern medicines should only be applied.

Sweet clove oil. Heat it slightly so it won't be cold and put a drop or two in your child's ear. It can be purchased at a drug store or health food store.
It's what my Mom used when we were kids and it always worked.

At Walgreen's, there is acidopholis in chewable strawberry tasting form. This is not an antibiotic. It is the good bacteria that normally lives in our digestive system. It creates a healthier environment in which food is more fully digested and more nutrients are available to be used. It also breaks down lactose, which could be important if your child is alergic. Recurrent ear infections (if not caused by swimming) are sometimes an indication of some kind of allergy. While acidopholis is not an antibiotic and certainly not a "heal-all cure," it will help keep your child from getting sick with ordinary colds and won't hurt him, either.

please do not have ANY ciggerette smoking around your baby.
none please!!!!!!!!!!!

I new a guy who was plagued with these to the extent that he now wears two hearing aids as an adult.
When his kids would get ear infections he would put alcohol that is used for swimmers ear infections in his kid ears. It burned for a few seconds but the infection was gone after that.

garlic and olive oil drops

I agree with the garlic drops. also, maybe try ear candling (tho i honestly do not know if it can be done on such a little guy)

That's an easy one. Soak chopped up garlic in water for a while. Strain off the garlic and put the water ( a couple of drops) in the ear. Works every time. It should heal over night.

Chiropractic helps significantly in these cases. I suffered from ear infection and strep throat all the time, when i was little. Not to mention i was allergic to penicillin. So as a last resort i went and say a chiro. They helped me so much with ear infections. But adjusting my neck it evened out my ears to where i didn't have back flow of fluids which caused my ear infections. So i suggest seeing a pediatric chiropractor in your area. They also do lymph drainage to help the congestion.

Yes, regular chiropractic care has been shown to help kids with ear infections. Also, your child's diet might be less than ideal, thus his immune system may be less than optimal.

Many holisitic doctors keep dairy and sugar to a minimum for their own kids. If you can have the child eat lots of fresh (not canned) fruits (and not a lot of juices, because it's concentrated sugar) and raw vegetables (especially green ones) I think you could notice less sickness in your child.

Also, if he's taken lots of antibiotics already you might want to check out probiotics for your child. Lots of antibiotics can actually wear down the immune system over time by killing off the good friendly bacteria in the body. Probiotics help restore the good bacteria, which is essential to a healthy immune system.

I have chronic ear infections myself. I have found that if you use a dropper and put hydrogen peroxide in the ear it works great. The more it bubbles, the worse the infection. after the bubbling slows take a q-tip, to lightly brush opening of the ear (not deep inside). then drain into a cotton ball by having them flip their head to the other side.

the reason they put tubes in kid's ears is to drain the earwax. the peroxide eats the infected earwax. I would suggest putting a drop of the sweet oil in afterward, because ears are intended to have a waxy/oily substance in them.

I tried garlic oil and all those old remedies for my child and they never worked. I finally had the tubes put in her ears when she was about 2 yrs old and she never had an ear infection again. I know when my daughter was on antibotics when used to get the flavored kind. She loved the banana.