Hearing health

How to clean your baby's ears and remove ear wax

Last updated on:

Reading time: 4 mins

Author: EarPros Team

Like adults, ensuring the cleanliness and safety of babies' ears is crucial for their hearing health. However, due to their ongoing growth, specific precautions are necessary to protect their delicate ears during cleaning. Delve into important considerations regarding the cleaning of your baby's ears and learn how to safeguard their hearing as they develop.

Tips on how to clean your baby's ears

How do you clean a newborn's ears? Cleaning baby ears requires a different approach from adults. Due to their ongoing growth and development, harsh or overly aggressive cleaning methods can harm delicate ear structures and skin or lead to infection. To ensure the safety and cleanliness of your baby's ears, it's crucial to prioritize gentleness and utilize baby-safe tools when cleaning both behind and inside their ears.

Various methods exist for cleaning your baby's ears. Still, as you familiarize yourself with safe techniques for cleaning inside baby ears and managing baby ear wax at home, you'll naturally adopt hygiene practices tailored to your baby's needs. Regardless of your chosen method, prioritizing their safety and comfort remains paramount.

Using a washcloth

Utilizing a washcloth is a reliable method for cleaning your baby's ears, with pediatricians often recommending it for this purpose. However, it's important to note that this approach primarily targets the outer ear. To clean your baby's ears with a washcloth:

Dampen a clean, soft washcloth with warm water, ensuring the temperature is not too hot
Gently wring out the washcloth to remove any excess water, ensuring no drips enter your baby's ears
Wrap the washcloth around your finger and delicately wipe the outer ear to remove any accumulated residue
Throughout the cleaning process, refrain from inserting the washcloth into your baby's ears, adhering to this precaution to prevent injury or discomfort

Ear drops for babies

Employing ear drops is a gentle approach to ear cleaning, commonly endorsed by healthcare professionals for addressing infections and eliminating ear wax blockages in infants. This treatment involves administering a few drops into the child's ear canal, with the dosage typically varying based on the child's age group

Choose your cleaning tools carefully

When cleaning, ensure that you utilize clean, soft, and gentle implements. It's generally advised to refrain from inserting any objects into babies' ears. If employing the washcloth method, consider using a separate cloth for each ear, or if using a single cloth, wash it between cleaning each ear. This practice can help minimize the risk of infection transmission. By prioritizing cleanliness in your tools, you can reduce the likelihood of introducing unwanted or harmful substances into your baby's ears.

Cleaning the part behind your baby's ears

Cleaning behind a baby's ears is an essential part of their hygiene routine, as it helps prevent the buildup of dirt, oil, and moisture, which can lead to irritation or infection. Here are some tips for cleaning behind a baby's ears safely:

Gentle cleaning: Use a soft, damp washcloth or cotton ball to gently wipe behind your baby's ears during bath time. Be careful not to insert anything into the ear canal
Mild soap: You can use a mild baby soap or cleanser on the washcloth to help remove any dirt or oil buildup behind the ears. Avoid harsh chemicals or excessive scrubbing, as this can irritate the delicate skin
Thorough drying: After cleaning, make sure to dry behind your baby's ears thoroughly with a soft towel to prevent moisture from lingering, which can contribute to irritation or fungal growth
Regular Inspection: Take the time to regularly check behind your baby's ears for any signs of redness, irritation, or discharge, as these may indicate a skin condition or infection that requires medical attention

By incorporating gentle cleaning behind your baby's ears into their regular bathing routine and being mindful of their delicate skin, you can help keep their ears clean and healthy. If you notice any concerning symptoms or have questions about ear care for your baby, consult with your pediatrician for guidance.

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Practices to be avoided

While keeping their ears clean is important, not all methods are safe. Here is what not to use when cleaning your baby's ears, helping you make informed choices for their health and well-being.

Soap or water

Avoid using soap and water to clean your child's ears, as these substances can potentially lead to irritation or ear infections if they remain inside the ear canal. When wiping down the outer part of their ears with a washcloth, ensure the cloth is thoroughly wrung out, and refrain from applying any soap to it. If a small amount of water accidentally enters their ear, gently tilt their head from side to side to aid in draining it. This precaution helps safeguard your child's ear health and prevents potential discomfort or complications.

Ear candling

Ear candling is not safe or recommended for cleaning anyone's ears, especially babies. It involves inserting a hollow candle into the ear canal and lighting it, with the idea being that it creates a vacuum that draws out wax and other impurities For babies, their ear canals are much smaller and more delicate compared to adults', making them particularly susceptible to injury from ear candling. Additionally, there's a risk of burns to the ear canal or the face from the hot wax or even the flame itself.

Ear cleaning with cotton buds

Using cotton buds to clean your baby's ears is not recommended. The ear canal is delicate, and inserting cotton buds can push earwax deeper into the canal, potentially causing blockages or injury. Additionally, the eardrum can be easily damaged by the misuse of cotton buds. Instead, focus on gentle cleaning of the outer ear with a soft washcloth during bath time. If you have concerns about earwax buildup or your baby's ear health, consult a healthcare professional for guidance.

Caution with ear sprays

Using ear spray for a baby's ears should be approached with caution and only under the guidance of a pediatrician or healthcare professional. Ear sprays are typically used to soften and loosen earwax buildup in adults, but their safety and effectiveness for babies can vary.

In general, it's important to avoid putting anything into a baby's ear canal without consulting a healthcare provider first. Baby's ear canals are delicate and still developing, and inserting foreign objects or liquids can cause injury or infection.

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Some additional questions about baby's ear cleaning

Here are some additional points to consider for safe and effective ear cleaning for newborns:

When to start cleaning your baby's ears?

If you're wondering the appropriate time to begin cleaning your baby's ears, know that it's perfectly fine to do so from infancy. While newborns may not require daily baths, attending to their hygiene needs is advisable. Establishing a regular cleaning routine becomes instinctive as you aim to eliminate any food particles, mucus, or other debris accumulated during the day.

Incorporating their ears into this routine is essential. A gentle wipe of your baby's ears with a soft, damp cloth—lightly moistened and then squeezed out—helps remove dirt, ear wax, or other unwanted residues that may have gathered throughout the day. This practice also plays a vital role in preventing potential hearing and health issues in the future.

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Should you remove your baby’s ear wax by yourself?

Ear wax in infants is essentially identical to that found in adults. Referred to as cerumen, this sticky, yellowish substance primarily consists of dead skin cells mixed with secretions from glands in the ear. Naturally occurring, ear wax is not indicative of poor hygiene; rather, it serves as a vital agent that moisturizes the ear canal, forms a protective barrier, repels foreign objects, and possesses antibiotic properties.

Typically, ear wax accumulates, dries out, and naturally exits the outer ear, obviating the need for active removal in babies. If you observe ear wax on the outer ear, you can gently remove it. However, attempting to remove ear wax from inside your baby's ears yourself is not recommended.

What causes ear wax buildup in infants?

Ear wax buildup in infants can arise from several factors, including:

Slow shedding: In some cases, ear wax may not shed from the ear canal as effectively as it should, leading to a gradual accumulation over time
Ear canal shape: Variations in the shape and size of the ear canal may predispose infants to ear wax buildup
Excessive production: Certain infants may produce more ear wax than others due to genetic factors or underlying health conditions
Foreign objects: Accidental insertion of objects into the ear canal, such as cotton swabs or small toys, can push ear wax deeper into the ear and contribute to buildup
Ear infections: Infections or inflammation in the ear canal can disrupt the natural shedding process of ear wax, leading to accumulation
Allergies or skin conditions: Allergic reactions or skin conditions affecting the ear canal can increase ear wax production or interfere with its natural shedding

Understanding these potential causes can help caregivers identify and manage ear wax buildup in infants effectively. However, it's important to consult with a healthcare professional for guidance if excessive buildup occurs or if it causes symptoms such as ear discomfort or hearing difficulties.

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