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Blowing into baby's ear after bath
My 5-month-old daughter is bathed daily. After every bath, my mother-in-law blows really hard into each ear to remove any water that might have entered. My baby has no pain, discharge, fever, or noticeable hearing problems, but could this practice have caused any damage to her ears so far? I am worried. I came to know blowing air into baby's ear is not safe
Answers (9)
It’s a common myth
It’s not a good practice as babies ear drum will be delicate and it can cause damage to drum. So better to avoid this
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Why to blow air into baby ear
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Tympanic membrane is thin structure , it will be perforated by harsh sounds or hearing issues can happen
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Don’t do it and water will come out by itself through ears
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Hello Madam,
It is advisable not to blow the nose. Because the positive pressure from the nose can enter the ear through the Eustachian tube and enter the ear. Since the baby's eardrum is very delicate, it can perforate also. And there is a chance of the entry of the microorganism from the mother's mouth, which can enter the ear and nose of the baby and lead to the development of infection.
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If the symptoms not getting alright means- kindly consider an ENT surgeon nearby for cleaning of the Ear.
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Hello , don’t allow blowing into your baby’s ear . You can use cotton while bathing your baby to prevent water entry in your baby’s ear .
This could not have caused any hearing problems
If you are still worried about the baby’s hearing get her examined by a ENT doctor and get screening test done for hearing.
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Yes blowing hard or simply blowing is not safe..
It might not harm the tympanic membrane. But it might transfer microbes which can cause ear infection and lead to long term problems.
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Baby's eardrum is very thin it is not safe to blow hard into ears
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Dr. Ankita Gahlot
Obstetrician
12 yrs exp
Bangalore
Blowing air forcefully into your baby's ear canal isn't a safe practice, since a baby's eardrum is delicate and can be injured by that pressure. The good news is that with no pain, discharge, fever, or hearing changes so far, there's no sign of damage.
Next Steps
Please ask family to stop this and let bath water drain out on its own, or gently pat the outer ear dry with a soft towel.
Health Tips
If you notice her tugging at her ear, fussiness, discharge, or fever going forward, get her ears checked by a pediatrician.
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Dr. Jaimini Thakkar
ENT/ Otorhinolaryngologist
6 yrs exp
Anand
Don't blow the ear. Water will come out automatically.
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Disclaimer : The content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding your medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this website.