Go for grommets or trr alternatives?
Printed From: OHbaby!
Category: Have A Baby?
Forum Name: Toddler Times
Forum Description: Is bubs growing up and getting into everything? How do you train them to use the potty? When do you start feeding solids? Share your tips and advice here!
URL: https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=18823
Printed Date: 23 July 2025 at 12:39pm
Software Version: Web Wiz Forums 12.05 - http://www.webwizforums.com
Topic: Go for grommets or trr alternatives?
Posted By: Loobee
Subject: Go for grommets or trr alternatives?
Date Posted: 03 July 2008 at 8:33pm
|
My 14month old has had five ear infections in four months - they started a month after I stopped bfing and he started daycare for 12hours a week. He has had antibiotics each time which has cleared them up , but they seem to be back within a fortnight. At the latest visit, the Dr said that if the antibiotics did not work she would refer him to specialist for grommets. I am not keen on this as general anaeshetic seems just too scary and wondered if anyone had had a similar experience or success with alternative treatments.
I am also wondering whether the constant ear infections would affect his balance as he is not yet walking and doesn't appear to be making much progress in that direction either? |
Replies:
Posted By: mummy_becks
Date Posted: 04 July 2008 at 6:59pm
|
I went for Grommets as they are only under the GA for all of 10 minutes. A good dr will have you in the theatre so you can hold your baby while they go under and then they get you again when they come out if it. Andrew had his done at 21 months the first time. ------------- I was a puree feeder, forward facing, cot sleeping, pram pushing kind of Mum... and my kids survived! |
Posted By: kebakat
Date Posted: 05 July 2008 at 10:52am
| With things like ears, they damage fairly easy and are very very hard to fix if they do get damaged. Keeping that in mind I'd go with the grommets. It's such a common procedure these days. |
Posted By: Kellz
Date Posted: 05 July 2008 at 12:27pm
|
I take Isla to a natruopath for diff problems,..but I talked to him about my neice who is 14 months and since she was 6 months old has has sooo many ear infections that the longest shes been off antibiotics is 11 days.
He said that with a few dietry changes he would be able to stop them,..and mentioned the likely contributing foods as dairy products and sugar. When u stopped breast feeding did he go onto cows milk/dairy based formula? It sounds a bit 'out there' but altering Isla's diet has made an amazing difference to her and her problems, that I woul so believe it,...maybe it would be worth taking him to see a naturopath. |
Posted By: VannesaD
Date Posted: 08 July 2008 at 4:30pm
|
Breanna also had many ear infections when she was very little and still does now from time to time. When the doctor first threatened grommets I decided to try au-natural first (not a big fan of medical intervention).
So what I did was placed one end of her cot on two phone books which raised it up. Ear infections stopped. Then when she moved to a big bed (bunk bed which is too heavy to lift) - she started getting ear infections again - so if she ever gets a runny nose or congestion I now put a pillow under her mattress to slightly raise her head while sleeping. Haven't had the threat of grommets since the first threat and her ear infections clear really fast. If I don't catch it in time (she has a high threshold to pain) then she still needs antibiotics - but the frequency of infections is very low. Just my 2c worth .. but I have many friends that have had grommets for their children and they work a treat! I just really didn't like the idea of an operation - no matter how small.  -------------  
http://lilypie.com"> 
|
Posted By: pekemoemum
Date Posted: 11 July 2008 at 8:55am
|
we did the grommet option for DS#1 and it was awesome. They did fall out within a few months, however it seemd to do the trick and he never had painful ear infections again . (our issue was the PAIN factor with ear infections and the glue ear).
I wouldn't hesitate with DS#2... it did take a long time to get the appointment though..! ------------- Gina, Reef 15/6/03, Tyde 12/2/07 http://www.pekemoe.co.nz - Peke Moe - Unique NZ Made Baby Sleeping bags for babies who get out of swaddle/wrap |
Posted By: Loobee
Date Posted: 13 July 2008 at 2:02pm
|
Thanks for all your suggestions, I've tried T on a dairy free diet for a week now and although the doc said that the ear infection hadn't cleared up he is like a different boy- soo happy and sleeping really well that I have decided to keep going with dairy free and have regular check ups. I tried lifting his cot mattress but he just ended up sleeping the other way round and I figured downhill was worse than flat
Am also going to see an osteopath who claims a 60% success rate in treating infant ear infections so fingers crossed. I guess like VanessaD I'm just really nervous of any surgery and would like to avoid it and besides I have been told that there is a 6 - 8 month waiting list or privately will cost up to $3000 - ouch. |
Posted By: Maya
Date Posted: 14 July 2008 at 6:08pm
|
I'd say go the grommets, Mercedes got hers at 11 mths and Sienna at 13 mths. Mercedes had repeated ear infections and her drum ruptured twice which is why she got them, we didn't even know Sienna had a problem till the specialist looked at her ears just coz we were there with Mercedes and it turned out she had glue ear. He said it was optional whether to do Sienna's or not but I figure better safe than sorry.
My 15 year old stepdaughter has permanent hearing loss and is waiting for yet another lot of surgery (she has had three already, not counting the original grommets) so I am absolutely anal about looking after my kids ears. It depends too on whether the ear infections are middle ear infections/otitis media or just infections of the ear canal coz grommets are only beneficial if you have middle ear probs. Also, if you are thinking of going private it's worth shopping around, our ENT charges around $1800. -------------  Maya Grace (28/02/03)
 (02/01/06)
The Gremlins:Sienna Marie & Mercedes Kailah (14/10/06)
Lil miss:Chiara Louise Chloe (09/07/08)
Her ladyship:Rosalia Sophie Anais (18/06/12)
|