When your infant has an ear infection, you can tell because they are extra fussy. They might tug on their ear and they do not eat as much as normal. They might wake up in the middle of the night and run a fever. And a special cry accompanies these symptoms.
When your toddler has an ear infection, you can tell because they are extra cranky. They might be able to tell you, "Owie," as they point to their ear. They just want to drink juice. They will come to your room at night. And their special cry as turned to a special whine.
For the infant, you might take the baby to the doctor. You hold the baby cuddled close for comfort. For the toddler, you might know better. You might know that the doctor's antibiotic trick will help, but isn't completely necessary. So pain relievers become helpful and plenty of liquids is okay.
When your Eric has an ear infection, he tells you. He demands to go to the doctor. He holds his throat and screams when you try to feed him. Your Eric will scream and cry as much as the infant and whine as much as the toddler. He will cry in his room, cry when you read to him, and cry when you hold him. He might refuse ear drops and he will also demand round the clock pain relievers. He will lay with his SpiderMan blanket on his SpiderMan couch in your kitchen. He will look at you with icy blue eyes bulging from his face telling you that he is dying. Don't believe him. Give him some hot tea. He will tell that drinking it is like walking the streets of gold in Heaven.
