How to Relieve Ear Pain in Kids at Night

Ear Pain at Night: What Ontario Parents Need to Know

Your child's crying from ear pain at 2am, and you're wondering what you can do right now to help them feel better. The good news is there are several safe, effective ways to ease ear pain at home while you wait to see a healthcare provider.

What's going on?

Ear pain often feels worse at night because lying flat can increase pressure in the middle ear. This happens whether your child has an ear infection, fluid buildup, or even just congestion from a cold that's affecting their ears.

The pain can be sharp, throbbing, or a constant ache. Young children might pull at their ears, have trouble sleeping, or seem extra fussy without being able to tell you exactly what's wrong.

What you might notice

- Sharp or throbbing ear pain that seems worse when lying down

- Trouble falling asleep or frequent waking

- Pulling or rubbing at the ear

- Fussiness or crying, especially when lying flat

- Decreased appetite or difficulty with bottle feeding

- Clear or yellowish fluid draining from the ear

What helps at home

Pain relief is your first line of defense. Give age-appropriate doses of acetaminophen or ibuprofen following the package directions. These medications reduce both pain and inflammation, which can provide real relief.

Try elevating your child's head while they sleep. For babies, you can place a rolled towel under the head of the mattress to create a gentle incline. Older children can use an extra pillow.

A warm compress against the ear can be soothing. Use a warm, damp washcloth or heating pad on the lowest setting for 10 to 15 minutes at a time. Make sure it's comfortably warm, not hot.

Some children find relief from gently massaging the area around the ear and down the neck. This can help with drainage and reduce pressure.

When to worry

Head to the emergency room if your child has severe ear pain with high fever over 39°C (102°F), signs of severe illness like difficulty breathing, or if you notice swelling or redness spreading from the ear to the face or neck.

See your doctor or text Arlo if the pain continues for more than a day or two, if your child seems unwell beyond just the ear discomfort, or if you're concerned about possible hearing changes. We can help you figure out if this needs urgent attention or if your home care plan is working well.

The takeaway

Ear pain at night is miserable for everyone, but you have good tools to help your child feel better. Most ear pain improves with simple comfort measures and time.

You can always text Arlo and talk to a provider in 5 minutes!

References - [Ear infections in children](https://caringforkids.cps.ca/handouts/health-conditions-and-treatments/earinfectionsinchildren) - [Caring for your child's cold](https://caringforkids.cps.ca/handouts/health-conditions-and-treatments/caringforyourchilds_cold)

- [Pain and fever medication for children](https://aboutkidshealth.ca/article?contentid=77&language=english)