How to clean baby ears?

Susan Fernandez November 11 2021

Why do you need to clear baby ears?

Ear wax is a natural secretion of the body, which protects and lubricates your ears. It also helps clean them by trapping dirt and other small particles. Normally, ear wax drains out the inner portion of the ear. But sometimes excessive production can cause problems that can be relieved by carefully purifying the ear canal with a damp washcloth or cotton swab. And it`s time for you to clean baby ears.

Wax in babies` ears is no different than in adults, but it is more important to avoid cleaning their ears so as not to damage the ear canals. Let your child`s pediatrician check his ears when he visits for a regular checkup.

If you notice that your baby has wax built up or that there`s an odor coming from his ear, then carefully clean the outer part of his ear with a damp washcloth and cotton swab. Do this in front of a running faucet and close to sinking so you can rinse out the old water easily. If the new water runs clear, then doing this once per week should suffice if it is required at all.

However, many people are concerned about cleansing their baby's ears since they often have to maneuver around inside their infant's ear canal to get all of the wax out.

What equipment do you need?

There are several tools that can help you avoid problems with hearing or ear infections.

  • Baby Ear Wipes, available at any drugstore, contain mineral oil and glycerin to soften the earwax, so it comes out less painfully
  • A bulb syringe is another option to clean your baby's ears
  • Cotton balls work well for babies who don't like water in their ear canal. Roll up a small piece of cotton ball into a narrow point, then place the tip into your infant's ear canal. Once you've placed the cotton ball in position, move it back and forth to wipe away wax. Then carefully remove the cotton ball from your child's ear.
  • Don't use any sharp instruments because they might damage your baby's ears

All these tools would be required when you decide to clean baby ears. It is better to buy them if you don`t have any.

How to clean your infant`s ears

Using the items mentioned above, there are two ways of purifying your infant's ear canals depending on their age. For babies less than 6 months old, fill the nape of a saline-dampened cotton ball with water and place it in your child's ear canal, moving it back and forth for about 15 seconds. This will soften any wax that is blocking your child's ear canal. Then use an olive oil swab or tampon on a string to pull out any remaining earwax.

By age 7 months, you should try using a bulb syringe instead. Fill the bulb with warm mineral oil, lukewarm water, or over-the-counter ear drops. Squeeze out the extra liquid, put your mouth on the bulb opening, and place it into your child's ear canal. Blow into the bulb quickly (like a balloon) to create suction and pull out any wax and debris.

How to clean baby's ears with hydrogen peroxide

Another great method for cleaning your baby's ears is hydrogen peroxide. This is a safe and effective way to clean the ear without causing any irritation.

To use this method, simply apply a small amount of hydrogen peroxide to a cotton ball. Gently wipe the outside of the ear with the cotton ball. Be sure to avoid the ear canal. You can also use a gentle cleanser on the cotton ball before wiping your baby's ear. After you have finished purifying your baby's ear, dry the area with a soft towel.

You should be attentive, drop only several drops of hydrogen peroxide into the ear. Excessively high concentrations can irritate the skin in the ear canal. If you have any concerns about your baby's ear health, always consult a doctor.

Don't use hydrogen peroxide if you notice cuts or abrasions in your infant's ear canal since they can become irritated by this chemical compound. Be sure to dry your baby's ears with a soft towel after cleansing them. If you're concerned about how clean they feel after using these suggestions, consult with your pediatrician next time you visit him/her for an exam.

Can you clean baby ears with Q-Tip?

Q-Tip is a sturdy cotton swab that is useful for cleaning around the house. It can also be used to clean baby ears. However, you should be careful when using a Q-Tip on a baby's ear. Only clean the outside of the ear. Do not insert the Q-Tip into the ear canal.

If your baby irritates and becomes fussy during the ear cleansing process, take a break and try again later. Scrubbing your baby's ear with a Q-Tip is simple. First, wet the Q-Tip with water. Then, gently wipe the outside of the ear. Be sure to avoid the ear canal. You can also use a gentle cleanser on the Q-Tip before wiping your baby's ear. After you have finished cleaning your baby's ear, dry the area with a soft towel.

Additional tips:

  • If you are unsure of how to clean your baby's ears, consult a doctor or pediatrician.
  • Never insert anything into your baby's ear canal, including a Q-Tip. This can cause serious damage.
  • Be gentle when cleaning your baby's ears. Avoid any forceful wiping or scrubbing.
  • If you have any concerns about your baby's ear health, always consult a doctor.

You can go to the ENT doctor

The health of your kid is the most important thing in the world for you. A baby's ear is a sensitive organ, and you should be careful while cleaning it. If you are unsure about how to clean your baby's ears, it is always better to consult a doctor.

The ENT doctor will give you specific instructions on how to clean your baby's ears. They will also check if there are any problems with your baby's ear health. If you have any concerns about your baby's ear health, always consult a doctor.

If you noticed excessive wax in your baby`s ears, or your infant is in pain, you should go to an ear, nose, and throat doctor. This doctor has enough equipment to heal your baby's ears in the shortest possible time. If you notice anything unusual about your child's ear, get medical advice immediately. Keep the infant away from people who suffer from colds, flu, or other infections.

Don't let him spend too much time in a hot tub (more than 15 minutes) or get his head wet with swimming pool water (even if it has chlorine), since prolonged exposure to water of 100F (38C) may result in fever and irritability, which can lead to more serious problems, including permanent hearing loss.

When you clean baby ears, it is important to be gentle. Do not insert anything into the ear canal. Only clean the outer ear. If you have any concerns, consult a doctor. If you had some difficulties removing cerumen, visit an ENT doctor.

Safety tips when purifying baby ears

Never use Q-tips or other sharp objects to clean your child's ears.

Call your pediatrician if your baby is less than 3 months old and has ear pain or discharge from the ear, as this could indicate an infection. Also see a doctor if you notice any bleeding in the ear canal, which can also stem from using sharp objects inside it. If you're not sure how to clean your infant's ears and want more information about doing so safely and effectively, talk to your pediatric advisor. 

Don`t use a cotton swab to clean your baby's ears. Its head is small and narrow, so it can damage your infant's ear canal even if you are careful not to push the cotton swab too far into his/her ear. Instead, use a bulb syringe or take your child to a doctor to make sure that there isn`t any blockage in their ear.

Please keep in mind that your child needs to be seated for this activity. If you go with this option- make sure not to flush out too much water because after all the natural wax buildup is good for their ears! Use warm water (just not hot) and irrigate gently inside of their ears then let them open up naturally (not overnight). Start using this method when they are around 6 months old.

Conclusion

The key here is to be VERY gentle and have a lot of patience. It helped me a LOT to use my son's favorite music on the "shuffle" feature while I did this task- it made him less fussy and distracted from what was going on.

When they are little, you cannot flush too much water because it can damage their eardrum. In case of cuts or abrasions, you should immediately consult with your pediatrician. Your child`s health depends on you! Take care of him.

Do not forget that blocked earwax is actually good for babies` ears because it helps them block dust and dirt from going in! This process will remove all of the extra wax build-ups. Hope my article you! Good luck!