1. Decreasing your child’s exposure to ear infection-causing bacteria
o a. Keep day care size to six or fewer children (especially in the winter months for children under age 2)
o b. Stop letting your child use a pacifier. Sucking on a pacifier can pull germs into the middle ear. Stopping the pacifier alone can drop ear infections by 50 percent for children in day care.
o c. Xylitol is a natural sweetener found in raspberries and plums. Most sugars promote bacterial growth. Xylitol inhibits it. Gums, lozenges, and syrups containing sufficient xylitol have shown to be effective at reducing ear infections by almost half.
o d. The respiratory infections that lead to ear infections are often spread by touch or by fomites. Frequent hand-washing and cleaning of toys are both helpful.
o e. Respiratory infections can also be spread through the air. Avoid staying in small rooms with sick people and poor air circulation. Fresh air and HEPA filters can help.