The symptoms that actually matter
Pulling or rubbing the ear is the symptom every parent knows — but it is not the most reliable one. Babies pull their ears for many harmless reasons. The signs that point more strongly to an ear infection include:
- Fever, often starting a day or two after a cold.
- Fussiness that gets worse when lying down (pressure changes when lying flat).
- Poor feeding or pulling away from the bottle/breast mid-feed.
- Sleep disruption — more wakes than usual, hard to settle.
- Fluid draining from the ear (this can mean a burst eardrum — painful, but often relieving).
When to see the doctor
Diagnosis requires an ear examination by a clinician — the eardrum must be looked at. Call the pediatrician for any suspected ear infection, especially with fever. In babies under 6 months, do not wait: an ear infection needs evaluation quickly. If the baby is lethargic, has a stiff neck, or a seizure, go to the emergency service.
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Many ear infections are viral and clear up on their own within a few days. The clinician decides whether an antibiotic is needed — for example when the infection is bacterial, the baby is under 6 months, or symptoms are severe. Always finish the full antibiotic course if one is prescribed.
Pain relief (paracetamol or ibuprofen in the weight-based dose the pediatrician confirms) helps while waiting. Never give aspirin to a baby.
Why tracking helps
An ear infection is a "wait and see" situation for a few days. Logging temperature, medicine doses, feeding, and sleep gives the pediatrician a precise picture on the follow-up call — and lets you see the trend instead of relying on memory at 3 a.m.
Disclaimer: This article is for general guidance and does not replace medical advice. A suspected ear infection — especially under 6 months or with fever — means contacting the pediatrician.
