As with adults, babies can develop watery eyes, stuffy noses and dirt in their ears. Cleaning babies is important for their health. Babies, whose skin is more sensitive and fragile than adults, have a higher risk of irritation and infection. Although ear cleaning in babies is thought to be difficult, it is not a procedure to be feared too much if some sensitive points and safety are taken into consideration.
Since babies are very sensitive and their communication skills are not developed, it is not possible to understand whether they are harmed during the cleaning process. The fear and anxiety of harming the baby, which parents experience especially in their first children, is successfully realized if they pay attention to a few tips.
What is Earwax?
Contrary to popular belief, earwax is not an accumulation of dirt or dirt inside the ear. It occurs around the outer ear and in the external ear canal. There are glands in the ear canal that produce ear secretion. The secretion produced from the outer ear is known as earwax in the community.
It especially protects the eardrum against bacteria and dust-like particles that may come from outside and keeps the ear canal moist and slippery. It is just one of the natural defense mechanisms in the body. With the removal of this secretion, the eardrum becomes vulnerable to the development of inflammation and infection.
In the absence of wax, the ear canal can make the ear vulnerable to irritation and inflammation. In cases where the accumulation is too much, intervention and cleaning by a doctor is required.
Do Babies' Ears Need to be Cleaned?
Ear cleaning of babies and keeping the ear clean is seen as important. It prevents problems that may occur in the future. Babies can also be cleaned around and outside the ear during bathing. It is considered sufficient to do this with the help of a cloth or a cotton ball. The use of cotton swabs is not considered safe and is not recommended.
Earwax is considered healthy for babies because it acts as an antibacterial, protective and lubricating agent. Trying to remove and clean the wax can cause some dangers to develop, while leaving the body vulnerable to infections.
When and How to Clean Babies' Ears?
The best time to clean the ears of newborn babies is before bathing. It is considered sufficient for newborn babies, who do not need to be bathed every day, to be bathed at most 2-3 times a week. However, the ear cleaning that needs to be done should be in these numbers and no more should be done.
Cleaning applications in babies can be easily done during and just before bathing. The water prepared with not too much hot water is wiped around and outside the ears by wetting the towel or cotton.
Soap is not needed with the towel and is generally not recommended. A soft towel should be preferred. Care should be taken in case water gets into the ear and the materials used should be cleaned before moving from one ear to the other during the cleaning process. Ear cleaning of babies should be done carefully.
Cloth, cotton or preferred soft towel should not be inserted into babies' ears. These procedures can damage the ear canal and irritate their skin. It should be remembered that the goal of cleaning is not to remove dirt.
Things to Consider When Cleaning the Ears of Babies
There are some situations that should be considered when cleaning the ears of babies. Especially if things like sticks are inserted into the ear, a large part of the dirt can go even deeper. It is also wrong to insert fingers. This situation, which is at least as dangerous as sticks, can damage the structure of the membrane.
During in-ear cleaning, it is important that there is no water in the ear and that the baby's ear is not left moist. Drying after the cleaning process is important.
The outer and back part around the ear should also be cleaned. Especially in newborns, it should not be done frequently and should be done at certain intervals.
In some cases, drop-like glycerin or olive oil is recommended during the cleaning process.
If the dirt accumulated in the ear is too much and does not come out despite careful attempts, the baby should be checked and cleaned by a specialist.
When sticks are preferred, ear sticks specially produced for babies should be used.
Use of Ear Drops in Babies
In newborn babies, if ear drops have been prescribed by the doctor or to prevent dirt from forming, the baby is turned on its side so that the ear is turned up. The ear is gently pulled down and backwards to open the canal. The drops are instilled into the ear at the rate recommended by the doctor.
The baby is kept in a lying position for about 10 minutes, allowing the drops to remain inside. Afterwards, the drops are rolled directly into the ear and the remaining part is allowed to flow out and wiped with a clean cloth.
Drops should definitely be used under expert control and drops prescribed by the doctor should be used. In addition, they should be used as much and as often as recommended by the specialist doctor.