Studies have also shown that use of certain vaccines may help prevent ear infections. "The new pneumococcal vaccine (in the United States, it is marketed under the name Prevnar) was shown in a recent study to reduce the incidence of ear infections caused by the bacteria pneumococcus," says Dr. Weathers.

Pneumococcus is one of the most common causes of bacterial infections in children. Your doctor will have more information about pneumococcal vaccines and can tell you whether this potential preventative measure is appropriate for your baby.

Even if you breastfeed your baby, don't smoke and limit daycare exposure, your child is still bound to get an ear infection at some point. Perhaps your child's weeklong cold suddenly turns into something more: He has a high fever and seems to feel worse, not better.

Once your doctor peers into his ears, and you receive the diagnosis, then what? "Babies with infections that are due to bacteria are typically treated with 10 days of antibiotics," says Dr. Waggoner-Fountain. "The most common is amoxicillin."

If your child experiences repeated infections, your doctor might prescribe a stronger medication or higher dose of amoxicillin to try to knock out resistant bacteria. However, if the infection is viral rather than bacterial, antibiotics will not cure the infection. Your child's illness will eventually resolve itself, but in the meantime, you can give your baby ibuprofen or acetaminophen for fever and pain with your doctor's approval.

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