More on night nursing and ear infections:
Let me clarify.  When a fully breastfed infant has repeated ear
infections, I ask about feeding patterns.  Many times, the infant
takes *most*, if not all, feeds during the night hours when his or her
head is probably at the same level as the tummy.  Sometimes just
being aware that baby's body can be tilted slightly will
help relieve pressure on the eustachian tubes during feeds.

This is not to say that babies shouldn't nurse at night, or that all
babies who nurse repeatedly at night will develop repeated ear
infections.  I imagine, like most things, there are multiple causes.
Short eustachian tubes, for instance, a sensitivity to dairy products
or something else, perhaps.

When you see a fully breastfed baby with multiple ear infections,
what are some of the factors that go along with it?
Jeanne B. Fisher, MSN, RN, IBCLC
Breastfeeding Promotion Nurse
Texas Department of Health
(512)406-0744
[log in to unmask]