To clean the baby’s ear you can use a towel, a layer of cloth or gauze, always avoiding the use of cotton swab, as it facilitates the occurrence of accidents, such as breaking the eardrum and filling the ear with wax.
Then you have to follow the steps below:
- It is important to remember that only external dirt should be removed.
- As the wax is naturally drained from the ear and removed during bathing.
Wax is a substance naturally produced by the body to protect the ear from penetration of dust and dirt, as well as forming a barrier that prevents the entry of microorganisms that cause infections, such as otitis.
The baby’s ear can be cleaned every day after bathing, following the steps indicated. This routine is able to keep the ear canal free of excess ear wax that can affect your hearing and cause infections.
However, if there is an excessive buildup of wax, it is advisable to consult your pediatrician for professional cleaning and evaluate for ear problems.
Normal wax is thin and yellowish, and drains naturally through a small channel inside the ear. However, when there are problems with the ear, the wax can vary in color and thickness, becoming more liquid or thicker.
Also, when there’s a problem, your baby may show other signs such as rubbing his or her ears, sticking a finger in his or her ear, or even having a fever if an infection develops, in these cases it’s important to go to the pediatrician for an evaluation and start proper treatment.
Ear inflammation, also known as ear infections, can be prevented by simple measures such as drying the baby’s ear well after bathing, cleaning the outside and back of the baby’s ears as explained above, and not leaving the baby’s ears underwater during bathing. Check how to bathe your baby well to avoid this problem.
Also, you should never use a pointy object to try to remove wax or help clean the inside of your ear, such as cotton swabs, staples, or toothpicks, as it can open wounds or break your child’s eardrum with ease.