We need an alternative to surgically putting a hole in the child's ear. Feeding Putting a hole in a child's ear may help drain the fluids, but it is not a very physiological way to deal with the problem. There are several things parents can do to protect against ear infections. Remedies should be as non-invasive as possible, and more helpful than harmful. The best line of care would prevent eustachian tube swelling before fluid becomes trapped in the ear.
Studies show that breast-feeding for at least four months cuts the number of ear infections in half.
Even supplementing with formula while breast-feeding increased the number of ear infections. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends exclusive breast-feeding for at least four to six months. If bottle-feeding is used for either formula or breast milk, the caretaker should not allow the infant to lie on her back while feeding. The head should always be elevated so the fluids from the mouth do not flow upward through the eustachian tube into the ears. Pacifiers Pacifiers can also increase the incidence of ear infections.