Everyone knows how important it is to pay close attention when caring for a baby, especially when it comes to hygiene. Bathing, changing diapers, nail care, navel care—and do you know how to clean a baby’s ears properly?
The correct way to clean a baby’s ears should be done carefully to avoid causing any harm. Even using cotton swabs designed for babies, with specially shaped tips, is not recommended at this stage since instead of cleaning, they push the earwax further inside and may even reach the eardrum. Choose to clean with the tip of a towel, a soft cloth diaper or gauze.
After a bath, lay the baby on their side so the ear faces up. Moisten the tip of the cloth or gauze with warm water and squeeze out the excess. Gently wipe around the ear to remove any dirt or earwax produced, then dry with the other tip of a dry towel to remove any leftover water.
Protecting the ears from water, especially during bath time, is essential to keep your baby safe from infections and ear pain. If water enters the ear during the bath, tilt your baby’s head to each side so all accumulated water drains out, and dry carefully with a soft towel. Remember, you should never insert any object to dry the inner ear, as it may injure the eardrum.
What is Earwax and When Should You Be Concerned?
Earwax, also called cerumen, contrary to what many might think, is not just dirt, but rather a natural substance produced by the body that keeps the ear healthy. Earwax is secreted by the ceruminous glands located inside the ear, and its purpose is to keep the area hydrated and prevent harmful particles, such as dust and other debris, from entering the ear.
Earwax also helps remove remnants of substances and debris that might have entered the ear canal, so its presence is not a problem, but accumulation and excess can be, which is why proper hygiene is important, making sure to clean the area appropriately.
The normal process for earwax is to accumulate, dry out, and exit naturally through the ear canal, so the ear is considered self-cleaning. But this doesn’t always happen, often due to improper use of cotton swabs, which instead of removing outer secretions, push the wax further inside. Such buildup in the ear canal can cause issues such as:
- Ear infection and pain
- Itching
- Reduced hearing
- Ringing in the ears
If you notice an excess of earwax, do not attempt to remove it yourself at home. Instead, see an otolaryngologist who will assess the situation and, if necessary, perform ear irrigation to remove the accumulated wax or use tweezers for removal. Both procedures are painless and very quick.
Therefore, the best way to prevent earwax buildup is by cleaning the outer part with the help of a cloth, towel, or moistened gauze—or even a cotton swab, making sure not to insert it deeply to avoid further problems. Babies and dehydrated children tend to produce even more earwax, so always offer plenty of fluids to keep them well hydrated.
See also: How to Bathe a Newborn
Photos: Jessica Merz, Oleg Sidorenko
