Amidst the struggles of diaper changes and feedings, other essential aspects are often overlooked. Cleaning a baby’s ear is one such example. And maintaining proper hygiene is important for their overall health while making sure that they are handled gently.
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Not only do clean ears prevent any kind of infection and discomfort, but they also help the baby be happy and healthy. Read below this article to explore some of the best tips on how you can clean your baby’s ears while simultaneously making it a part of your daily baby care routine.
Gently clean the outer ear
Always start by cleaning the outer ear of your baby in a gentle manner using a wet washcloth. Clean the other area by using circular and gentle motions around and behind the ear. In this process, make sure you do not insert any item, such as a washcloth or earbud, in the ear, as they may lead to pushing the earwax deeper inside.
Use a warm washcloth
It is best to always use a soft and warm washcloth. The warmth significantly helps to soften wax buildup, if any, thereby making it much easier to remove. But ensure that it’s not too hot either, as it may result in scalding of the skin. Besides, you also need to make sure that before you start cleaning your baby’s ears, you have all the essentials handy.
‘No’ to Cotton Swabs
You must have surely come across the popular belief of using cotton swabs for cleaning the ears. However, it needs to be stopped as it may push the ear wax further into the ear canal, causing possible injuries to the eardrum. Instead, utilize only a warm washcloth for cleaning the outer ears, which would also be significant in melting away the ear wax buildup gradually.
Air-drying the ears
Letting the ear air dry is another essential approach when it comes to cleaning a baby’s ears. Therefore, make sure you do not use cotton swabs or cloth to dry the ears. You can simply pat around the outer ear to wipe off excess moisture.
Routine Check of Infection Symptoms
Lastly, keeping an eye on any signs of possible infections is extremely necessary, as babies are more likely to be exposed to ear infections. Whether you notice any redness, swelling, discharge, or any foul smell from the baby’s ears, rush to your baby’s doctor immediately, as it may be a clear indication of ear infections.
