How to clean your baby’s ears?
Dr. Valleteau de Moulliac,
Consulting pediatrician for Laboratoires Sarbec
Do not attempt to enter the ear canal and never use cotton swabs, as you could injure it and, above all, push the earwax further in, compact it, and encourage the formation of a blockage.
You might think that traces of earwax at the entrance of the ear canal look dirty: there is no need to try to remove it at all costs; know that this yellowish, greasy substance lining the inside of the ear is very useful. It protects the eardrum from external aggressions by trapping impurities. Continuously, tiny hairs push this wax outward, which is why ears may appear dirty when the earwax comes out. Earwax contains no bacteria. On the contrary, it is a natural protective filter that captures germs.
If this is not enough and you feel your baby’s ears are really dirty, spray a little ear spray (available at pharmacies for this purpose) into the outer ear while positioning your baby sideways. The earwax will become more fluid and you can collect it with the tip of a compress soaked in lukewarm water.
Always remember to disinfect your hands before any skin care.
