Emma Rose has had heaps of ear infections, and also had glue ear and build-up to the point that she needed grommets (which she got last August). We haven't had an ear infection since.

The key with ear infections is to treat them as soon as you can. Ear infections are usually related to upper respiratory infections. Basically, babies' eustacian tubes (the things that connect their inner ear to theithe backs of their noses) are shaped differently than those of adults. They're short and flat, which makes it easier for bacteria to travel into the tubes. This results in increased mucous production and inflammation -- an ear infection. Glue ear is when the mucous builds up and blocks the tube. If a child gets recurrent ear infections and they are left untreated, the mucous can build up on itself and keep the tube blocked, which means potential hearing loss and language development delays. That's what happened with my child.

There isn't much you can do to prevent ear infections, unfortunately. While it's true that not all children will need antibiotics to recover from them -- there has been research to the effect that ear infections generally clear up without medical intervention -- because you don't personally know what the shape of your child's Eustacian tubes are, it might be better to just go for the antibiotics rather than risk repeated ear infections that might build into glue ear and cause something more serious.

I wrote an article about grommets http://www.ohbaby.co.nz/article.aspx?ContentID=1606 - here , which includes some info about ear infections. I'd get in touch with your child's GP for other advice and options -- hang in there!

What katherine said. Andrew got his first lot of Grommets at 21 months after having 12 ear infections in those 21 months.

Last year in November we went back into hospital and had them re inserted as after they fell out we had 4 ear infections in 3 months .

Keep an eye on them, and record them when they are so if you have to see an ENT you have the info for them, and also their hearing - Andrew had shocking hearing when they fell out as his tubes were blocked with fluid.

Like Emma I am so pro grommets its such a simple op and doesn't take all that long (so long as its just the grommets) and the next day they are back to normal, I had them out in as a baby and if Josh needs them then he'll have them put in too.

Ella had so many ear infections in her first year it was rediculous.  The issue with her is that like her mummy (who yes, has some hearing loss thanks to the same persistant problem as a kid) she has unusually narrow tubes in her ear.  We're in-between specialist visits at this stage.  The first one I saw advised me to treat any colds that she gets immediately, to prevent congestion building up - it won't help the cold or 'flu pass any faster, but treating the symptoms may prevent Ella getting ear infections each time. 

Also, don't be stingy with the pamol when baby has an ear infection - I can tell you they make a kid miserable.  I remember just needing to lie on the couch and have a cry about it when I had them.