BOTTLE FEEDING MAY CAUSE ACUTE OTITIS MEDIA

Acute otitis media is the infection of the middle ear which occurs frequently in the winter . It is more common in people having flu , cough and respiratory problems . 50% of otitis media occurs in children of less than 2 years of age due to short Eustachian tube . The disease is more common in unhygienic and dirty environment .

CAUSES

Flu

Sore throat

Respiratory problems

Attack of virus

Because of short Eustachian tube in the children milk travels from the throat to the ears and causes infection .

SIGNS / SYMPTOMS

Pain in the ear due to infection and pus

Headache

Vertigo

Nausea , vomiting

Tinnitus

Difficulty in sleeping           

Irritability

Running nose

Cough

Temporary deafness

Crying and pulling ears in children

Rupture of the ear membrane

PREVENTION

Exclusive breast feeding till 6 months of age , as bottle feeding may cause this condition

Bottle feed the baby in the lap of the mother

Keep the head of the baby up while bottle feeding

Start weaning at 6 months of age to minimize bottle feed
Keep your environment clean