ear infections and the green mustache

When G was 9 months old he got his first ear infection.  We were in Berkeley visiting family when we noticed he was unusually tired and fussy.  Then he started crying and wouldn't stop.  We rushed him to a recommended pediatrician to find that he was sick and needed medication.  A big dose of antibiotics cured him until we reached home but that illness was the start of a long period of chronic ear infections, fevers, and many sleepless nights.  Remembering this time, three years ago, still makes my heart hurt.  He was in such pain.  The high fever would come on quick, take over his little body and put him back on antibiotics until his next doctor appointment which showed some improvement.  One week later it would start all over again.  This never-ending cycle continued for five months.  The last episode he suffered lasted from mid-April to the end of May which resulted in an emergency room visit during his 1st birthday party.  At this point I hit a wall.  Well, I think I had hit the wall before but was continually convinced that THIS time the infection would be cured since we were leaving flu and cold season approaching summer.  During that late May appointment with his pediatrician I started crying.  I couldn't allow my baby to suffer any longer and I didn't want any more antibiotics prescribed. I decided to see a ear specialist for an opinion.  On our first appointment he looked in G's ears, looked at me and said "I can put in tubes tomorrow at 8:30am".  I was shocked.  Was it really that bad?  We were terrified.  This meant he would have to be put under anesthesia.  What would that do?  Where there any side effects for a child so small?  He had just turned one and only weighed 20 lbs.  We had to decide by 7pm that night.  Yes was our answer as we prepared our son and ourselves.  The procedure was quick.  He came out in no pain although confused, groggy, and a little scared.  He was home before noon, took a long nap, and woke hungry.  Suffering no side effects his mood improved throughout the day.  It has been 2.5 years and we haven't had an ear infection since.

Later that summer I decided to offer him a morning drink that was (in my eyes) more healthful than regular juices.  I wanted something that had no added sugar, no preservatives and included extra vitamins.  I decided to try the fresh juices settling on Bolthouse Green Goodness.  What I like about the juice is that it offers 14 vitamins, hardly any sodium and includes spirulina, chlorella, zinc, broccoli, green tea, spinach, barley grass, wheat grass, blue-green algae, echinacea, and more.  He loved it then and still drinks a big daily dose .  The proof is in his green mustache he proudly wears to preschool each morning.  I like to think that this juice (along with the tubes which have since fallen out) has been the reason he hasn't had a bad cold or flu for two winters. 


Note:  Whenever children are going to use any medicinal herb (such as echinacea), it is important to first discuss the relative risks and benefits of it with your pediatrician, who is most familiar with their medical history and experiences with medications.  If you are pregnant consult your doctor before taking any homeopathic herbs.