Grommits
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Category: General Chat
Forum Name: General Chat
Forum Description: For mums, dads, parents-to-be, grandparents, friends -- you name it! And you name the topic you want to chat about!
URL: https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=25560
Printed Date: 23 October 2025 at 2:44pm
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Topic: Grommits
Posted By: MummyFreckle
Subject: Grommits
Date Posted: 30 March 2009 at 12:20pm
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Hi there Oli has yet another ear infection, and I suspect that my GP is going to suggest that we get grommits for him. I just wanted to hear from anyone that has had grommits put in their little one this early. I am very nervous about putting him through that sort of surgery, and I want to understand the impact post surgery on things like his swimming (which he LOVES!). Thanks in advance
------------- http://lilypie.com">  http://lilypie.com">
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Replies:
Posted By: ShellandBella
Date Posted: 30 March 2009 at 12:53pm
Hi SimSam, Bella had grommets put in when she was 11 months old (so way younger than Oli) and we haven't had any problems since (she was getting ear infection after ear infection). She wasn't bothered by the surgery (or nothing that a bottle didn't quickly fix  ) and post op care was simply to keep her ears dry for 2 weeks and pamol when she needed it. After 2 weeks she was fine to have a bath/go for a swim etc.
The anaesthetic they use is a pretty light one, so apart from probably being tired, hungry and grumpy, you will find Oli will be fine. Come prepared with some food, maybe a favourite toy and lots of distractions as it can be a long day from start to finish, but usually home again on the same day. Good luck, I'm sure you will both be fine!  ------------- http://lilypie.com"> 
http://lilypie.com"> 
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Posted By: Katherine
Date Posted: 30 March 2009 at 3:22pm
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Hey SimSam, Emma Rose had grommets inserted when she was about 18 months old. I wrote an article about it http://www.ohbaby.co.nz/article.aspx?ContentID=1606 - here . In terms of her post-surgery life -- she's three now, and since the grommets were inserted, she has had only one ear infection. It has definitely affected her swimming -- in a POSITIVE way, as she had to miss three terms of swimming due to ear infections before the grommets were inserted! Our specialist told us she can definitely still swim, just not to go below 1m. Since at this age they're still staying pretty close to the surface, that has not been a problem at all. They have made a huge difference to her life. Her speech has improved amazingly, and it was incredible how quickly we saw improvement after her surgery. I am very much a fan of grommets. Best of luck -- I know it's a hard decision. |
Posted By: Mama2two
Date Posted: 30 March 2009 at 3:47pm
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Hey Simsam. Samantha is another one that had grommets pretty early on. She was just on 18 months when she had them put in last year after constant ear infections and pretty much losing her speech due to glue ear.
I have nothing but positive things to say since the surgery. Sam loves swimming and it certainly has never stopped us taking her (apart from the 2 weeks like others have said). She has improved in leaps and bounds with her speech and hasn't had an ear infection since. I too am a huge fan of grommets! The surgery itself wasn't that nice for Sam to be honest. We did have a awful time for about 30 minutes after she woke up as she just wouldn't calm down. However, they sent us home and the moment she walked in the front door you would never have known she had even had the procedure! If Oli does end up needing grommets, you won't regret the decision to go through with them  ------------- http://lilypie.com"> 
http://lilypie.com"> 
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Posted By: mummy_becks
Date Posted: 30 March 2009 at 5:48pm
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Been there done that 3 times now with my boys. I think I have written Andrew's stories in the ears, ears, ears thread in the special needs. ------------- I was a puree feeder, forward facing, cot sleeping, pram pushing kind of Mum... and my kids survived! |
Posted By: Kim
Date Posted: 01 April 2009 at 2:13pm
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Samara had her's put in at 14 months and we noticed a difference the next day with her speech and personality. Before she had them put in she didn't say much and was always unhappy and the next day she was trying out more sounds and has been like a different child - so much more happier.
After the op was pretty horrible as she was hysterical so the nurses didn't make us stay as long as we were supposed to because she was so upset. They haven't affected her swimming lessons at all. ------------- Zac Mark - 30.11.05 Samara Ailsa - 13.08.07 |
Posted By: Maya
Date Posted: 01 April 2009 at 3:16pm
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Our dramas are all in the Ears, Ears, Ears thread of the Special Needs board, but in a nutshell Mercedes has had three sets (at 9 mths, 23 mths and 25 mths) and Sienna has had two sets (at 11 mths and 23 mths). With the 23-mth ones they also had their adenoids out.
I can't even begin to imagine what their life would have been like without the grommets. Even with them in they have still had occasional infections but the pain is almost nil because the perforation/grommet enables the fluid to get out instead of building up and causing pressure. Mercedes had two ruptured drums before she had the grommets, it must have been so painful for her 
Sienna's hearing was severely affected, her speech therapist thinks she was probably hearing impaired for most of the first 2 years of her life, and it affected her speech but since the second grommet surgery her speech has come along in leaps and bounds. They haven't been able to swim for months at a time, but that's mostly coz they have had recurrent infections. When their ears are dry and well they are allowed to swim. If you've got health insurance, I highly recommend Colin Brown at Gillies, he is a legend. My girls love going to see him. He also practises out of Starship so if you don't have insurance you'd possibly even see him there. -------------  Maya Grace (28/02/03)
 (02/01/06)
The Gremlins:Sienna Marie & Mercedes Kailah (14/10/06)
Lil miss:Chiara Louise Chloe (09/07/08)
Her ladyship:Rosalia Sophie Anais (18/06/12)
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Posted By: BabyKiwi
Date Posted: 06 April 2009 at 11:48am
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My DD had grommets put in at 9mths old and has only had 2 ear infections since then. The surgery is quick and fairly painless, like a few have said, they bounce back very quickly. When DD came out she was alittle grumpy for about an hour then came right when she had some milk. Make sure you give loads of cuddles and have pamol on hand!
As for the swimming, speak to your surgeon, he will be able to recommend what to do, although I've taken DD swimming and she has been fine. You could put in ear plugs if you are worried. Good luck! |
Posted By: Babe
Date Posted: 07 April 2009 at 8:37am
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My sister had grommets put in when she was just a tot after terrible terrible ear ordeals and ending up completely deaf and not only did it hugely improve her hearing, her verbal skills and confidence but shes 22 now and other than an occasional earache when shes had a cold or whatever has no problems with her ears. -------------   
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