Tips on how to give your child ear drops

1. wash your hands and your child’s hands
2. place medicine bottle in warm water to warm the drops. You can also rub the  medicine bottle in the palms of your hands
3. feel the drop to make sure it isn’t too hot or cold
4. ask the child to sit or lie down with the affected ear facing up
5. look out for any discharge ( yellow or green substance ), pus ( cloudy) or blood. If there is any discharge , do not give the drops to the child.
6. if there is any drainage ( clear liquid), remove it with a clean tissue or cotton topped applicator. Do not clean any more  than the outer part of the ear
7. place the wrist of the hand you will be using to give the medicine on the cheek or head
8. place the dropper above the child’s ear canal
   Children under age 3
   gently pull the outer flap of the affected ear DOWNWARD and backward to straighten the ear canal.Look for the ear canal to open
   Children over the age of 3
   gently pull the outer flap of the affected ear UPWARD and backward to straighten the ear canal.Look for the ear canal to open
9. slowly and gently squeeze the dropper to release the appropriate  amount of medicine on the side of the ear canal
10. let the child remain lying down for about 1 to 2 minutes so that the medicine will be absorbed
11. rub gently the skin in the fold of the ear to help the drug flow to the inside of the  ear
12. place  a cotton ball in your child’s affected ear to avoid leakage of medicine. Replace the cotton ball each time the medicine is given . Do not insert  q-tips into the ear
13. you need to rinse the tip of the dropper after each use before capping or returning it to the bottle
14. replace the cap immediately after use
15. wash your hands and record the time the medication was given