Jane, certainly the positioning is worth a try.  It can't hurt!  I would
also wonder if the mother is able to seek a second opinion on whether the
ears are still truly infected and in need of *acute* antibiotic treatment,
OR are they sufficiently filled with fluid to make re-infection likely and
thus need prophylactic antibiotics, OR is there some fluid but maybe it
should just be left alone???  In other words, what *exactly* is in this
baby's ears now?  I've seen a wide variation in pediatricians' treatment
protocols - and some changes over the years.   In my own experience I
discovered one set of pediatricians declared everything "infected" and
"still infected," but another differentiated between "acute otitis media"
and "serous otitis media," and d/c'ed the antibiotics if they could see
significant improvement in the amount and quality of the fluid behind the
ear drum.  All three of my kids spent some long-term time on prophylactic
antibiotics for extended serous otitis....  I got pretty good with the
otoscope!  It's my understanding that one doesn't use the "big guns" (like
Cefzil) for prophylaxis for serous otitis, but rather the "old favorites"
like Bactrim.  I do recall hearing about a study done in the past few years
looking at extended serous otitis and comparing treatment options but
regrettably can't remember what it said, sorry.
        I wouldn't have dared stray away from allopathic medicine when my
kids were screaming with ear infections....  but that's another thing, how
is the baby *acting*?  In pain?  Sleeping badly?  Hurts to nurse?  Willing
to nurse lying down?  Batting at or pulling ears?  Or..... OK?  If the baby
is acting OK I wonder if the mother would be interested in trying
homeopathic medicine?  I never quite got up the nerve but I do know people
who've used it quite successfully.
        Lastly, on the teeth:  I'll add my anecdotal experience to yours and
we still won't prove anything, of course!  <g>  For what it's worth I have
one child with *terrific* teeth and two with *lousy* teeth.  All THREE spent
most of their early years on antibiotics for ears, they inherited lousy ears
from their dad.  I have always consoled myself with the thought, "Imagine if
they *hadn't* been breastfed!"

Mary Renard
Vienna  VA  USA
whose kids are now 17, 14 and 10, occasionally hurting MY ears!
=====================================================
Mary Riley Renard, RN, BSN, IBCLC
CERP/Recertification Coordinator
Int'l Board of Lactation Consultant Examiners (IBLCE)
P O Box 2348
Falls Church  VA  22042-0348  USA
Tele 703-560-7330
Fax 703-560-7332
Email <[log in to unmask]> or <[log in to unmask]>
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