What are some alternatives to antibiotics for an ear infection in a 1 year old child?

Prevention: In children under 2 years of age, we usually recommend treating ear infections with antibiotics. Some ways to prevent ear infections are avoiding daycare or using a daycare with only a few children, avoiding exposure to smoke, breastfeeding, not allowing a bottle in the bed. In children who are having frequent ear infections, ear tubes can help avoid needing further antibiotics.

Antibiotics or?: There are no equivalent alternatives to antibiotics for the treatment of a middle ear infection in a child with acute symptoms. By acute, i mean ear pain, fussiness, fever, middle ear pus, poor feeding and sleep. Pain and fever can be managed with Motrin or tylenol (acetaminophen). If symptoms persist, the antibiotic will be quite helpful.

Ignore it: A true pus filled ear from a bacterial infection can self heal over 2-3 months.(Scandinavian studies) It may rupture and drain, but this may alleviate the pain. Discomfort would vary. Potential issues would include a congeal formed immobilizing the ear bones with some hearing loss. Rarely infection penetrates the bone behind the ear requiring hospitalization/drainage. This happened in the 1900's.