Of New Teeth and Ear Infections

As the title of my blog would indicate... these little suckers need to come with instruction manuals.

William got his first ear infection a few weeks ago and 2 days after it cleared up... his 2nd one arrived. He's now on his 2nd string of antibiotics and I'm hoping his last for a while. It's been a roller coaster of sleep and tummy problems. Thank god they make the medication taste so good that he'll eat it. I think he thinks it's yogurt or something.

I had no idea he had an ear infection because I have an incredibly happy baby. I kept hearing that kids would scream and grab their ears and refuse to nurse. My ONLY tip that something was wrong was a terrible night where he screamed all night and we thus got only 2 hours of sleep. I finally figured out that he was screaming from a fever (102 degrees) and got him to to the doc. The doc looked in his ears and prounounced that he had rather advanced infections in both ears and "wasn't he acting sick?" At this point, William was sitting on the exam table smiling, laughing and slapping his knees... so I pointed to him and said, "nope... he acts like this. He didn't pull at his ears or anything!"

Of course, just then, William pulled at an ear and the doc said, "what, like that?" Great. Mother of the year here. So we had 7 days of antibiotics and THANK GOD my mother was here for a visit to help me out with most of it. Because after the 7th day, we had two great days and then ANOTHER grumpy night (not as bad as the first). I get a call from my mother and she says that he's cool, but his head is warm and when she takes his temp it's over 101. So back to the doc we go (here's the thing, I had just gotten a call the night before after his well check telling me his tests came out great and he's one HEALTHY kid). The doc looks surprised to see us again since he just saw us yesterday, but then takes a look and says the infections are back. So now were in round two of antibiotics, this time for 10 days. Ugh.

Here's the total kicker though. If you read a baby book or ask a doctor, they will tell you that colds, fevers, ear infections, etc... are NOT caused by teething. Mothers and nurses, however, will tell you differently, and I'm joining the ranks of those moms now. You see... William is getting at least 2 teeth right now (just discovered this). They're his "eye teeth" which I hear from experienced moms are the worst. Well, so far they suck. My mother in law said my sis in law got an ear infection with each new tooth. If that happens with William, I'll be in the funny farm, so look for me there.

I just have to say thank god for experienced moms. I'm surrounded by them at work and they're getting me through all this teeth and ear crap. And they were an invaluable resource for the past few months of questions about diapers, baby tylenol, sleep training, self-feeding, etc.

Can't wait to see what's around the next corner.