HOW TO INSTILL EAR DROPS IN CHILDREN

Ear infections are a common childhood ailment. The proper technique will ensure the drops go into the ear without causing your child discomfort.

How to give ear drops

• Shake the bottle and remove the cap.
• Your child needs to have their head tilted to one side. (They could rest their head on a pillow.)
•  Put the tip of the dropper just inside the ear hole. Try to avoid touching the nozzle on to the ear. Gently squeeze the drop(s) into the ear.
• Your child should keep their head tilted to one side for a minute or so.
•  Wipe the nozzle with a clean tissue after each use.
•  If you think the drops didn’t go into the ear, you can repeat the process but do not try more than twice.
•  Try to avoid the tip of the bottle touching any part of your child’s ear if possible.
•  Wash your hands again with soap and hot water.

  Repeat the above steps for the other ear if necessary. 

Step 1

Wash your hands with soap and water. Dry them with a towel.

Step 2

Clean the outside of the child's ear using a warm washcloth or wet wipe. Remove any crusting or dirt. Don't insert anything into the child's ear.

Step 3

Warm the bottle of ear drops if the weather or the room is cold. Rub the bottle back and forth between your palms to let the warmth of your body heat the bottle.

Step 4

Shake the medication if the directions on the bottle indicate you should do so.

Step 5

Ask the child to sit with his ear tilted up or have the child lie down on his side.

Step 6

Insert the dropper in the bottle. Squeeze the bulb or the tube at the end of the dropper, then release the bulb or tube to draw the medication into the dropper.

Step 7

Grasp the child's ear lobe in one hand to straighten the earlobe. If the child is younger than 3, pull the earlobe down toward the shoulder and back toward the back of the head. If the child is older than 3, pull the earlobe up toward the top of the head and back toward the back of the head.

Step 8

Place the number of drops prescribed by the doctor or indicated on the ear drops' packaging in the ear so that they hit the side of the ear canal and roll into the ear. Wipe any excess drops off the outside of the ear.

Step 9

Have the child remain with her head tilted or lying on her side for a few minutes to allow the drops to flow all the way into the ear.



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