Why is a lot of earwax coming out of my baby's right ear?

Question

Hi doctor,

I want to ask whether too much earwax in the baby's ear is normal. My daughter has a lot of earwax coming out from her right ear, and it has a terrible odor. Currently, I am not giving any medications, just vitamins. She is 4 months and 3 weeks old, height 64.5 cm, and weight 6 kilograms.

Answer 1

Hi,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

If there is foul-smelling fluid coming out of the ear, it cannot be wax but indicates an infection. The possible reason for this is due to improper posturing of the child while breastfeeding. The child's body should be in an oblique fashion while feeding to prevent the recurrent entry of the milk into the eustachian tubes. This happens as the eustachian tubes in children are more horizontal than adults, and infants can suckle and breathe simultaneously. You can also consider the following treatment advice. 1. Syrup Augmentin (Amoxicillin and Clavulanate) 228.5 mg or 3 ml, three times a day after feeds for one week. 2. Syrup Sinarest (Acetaminophen, Chlorpheniramine, and Pseudoephedrine) 3 ml two times a day for one week. 3. Otrivin p (Xylometazoline) two drops two times a day for one week. Please follow these instructions for one week and let me know about the progress. Please ensure that you do not use earbuds or Q-tips (cotton swab) to clean the ear. Please keep the ear dry. I hope I answered your query in detail. If there is anything more that you need to know or enquire about, kindly do let us know, and we will get back to you as soon as possible. Warm regards.