Gina, I agree with Pat, What are "yukky looking ears"?
I have followed a few children with recurrent otitis and
effusions (middle ear fluid) by using antibiotic prophylaxis
and closely following their speech development. 18 month
olds should say at least 4-6 words or they need eval.
If the child is asymptomatic and developing normally, I wait
and watch, persistant effesion, >3months, gets at least a
hearing eval.
As a rule of thumb I give once daily antibiotics (sulfa as
first choice) to those with 3 infections of otitis media in 6 months
or 4 in a year. I consider tubes in those wth persistant
effusions past 3 months and/or hearing loss
causing developmental problems or braking through
prophylaxis more than once.
On average prophylaxis will prevent 1.5 infections/year and
each year the child gets older they get about 1.5
fewer infections/year.
I aslo remind the BF moms of how much worse this could
be.
As your in Dallas, there are some note worthy Peds
Infectious Disese specialist in your area.
-Rob (infectious disease want-to-be)