Earache | Motrin - The official website for all Motrin products

Earaches caused by ear infections will occur in three out of four children by the age of three. These infections occur when mucus blocks the passages in the ears called eustachian tubes. This happens frequently in children because their eustachian tubes are shorter, so they become more easily blocked. Signs your child may have an ear infection include: fever, tugging at the ear, increased irritability, crying and difficulty hearing. Many ear infections clear up within two or three days. You should talk to your pediatrician if the condition persists longer.

Tips

Heat Relief
Soothe your child's achy ear by placing a warm (but not hot) heating pad on the ear. Over-the-counter pain relievers can also help relieve earache pain.

Feeding Tips for Baby's Ears: Listen Up
Breastfeeding has been shown to significantly increase a child's resistance to ear infections. If you're bottle feeding, you should cradle your child at a 45-degree angle. And never put your child to sleep with a bottle. These measures help minimize the risk of ear infection by preventing fluid from entering the eustachian tubes.

Now Hear This
Secondhand smoke is a risk factor for ear infections in children. It can make them more frequent and severe. While permanent hearing loss due to an ear infection is rare, your child's chances increase with the number of ear infections. You already have so many reasons to quit smoking, here's one more.

Fever

Sore Throat

Infants' MOTRIN® contains ibuprofen, a medicine that can reduce fevers and relieve minor aches and pains. It can be difficult to get a sick child to eat or drink and that makes it harder for them to get better. So give that fever the cold shoulder with Infants' MOTRIN®, which lasts up to 8 hours.

Learn more.