Why does my four-month-old baby always scratch his ears?

Some babies like to cry, some like to make trouble, and some have rich expressions and love to laugh. This is all very normal. Because babies are lively by nature and have not yet formed their own personality, parents should understand this situation. For example, when the baby is three or four months old and has independent consciousness, some small movements will appear. So, why does a four-month-old baby always scratch his ears?

Reason 1: Curiosity about ears

Baby's behavior: The baby is very happy when pulling his ears

As babies grow, they will become curious about various parts of their bodies. For example, when he discovered that he had ears, he would use his little hands to pull his ears. Generally, babies often play with their ears when they are sleeping or awake, especially when they are having fun.

Treatment method:

Parents don't need to be too nervous about the phenomenon of babies pulling their ears when they are healthy. This is just a manifestation of the baby's curiosity about his or her own body organs. You might as well take this great opportunity to try to teach your baby to recognize: "This is an ear."

Reason 2: Excessive earwax

Baby symptoms: There is yellow-brown, sticky oily substance or dry lumps in the external auditory canal

The skin of the human external auditory canal has cerumen glands, which can secrete a yellow, sticky cerumen that protects the external auditory canal. When cerumen dries, it becomes thin flakes, which we commonly call "earwax", which can be used to prevent the invasion of foreign substances. Generally speaking, the baby's ear canal has a self-cleaning function, but for some babies, if there is too much earwax, it will irritate the external auditory canal and cause the baby to scratch his ears.

Treatment method:

(1) Parents can use a cotton swab dipped in medical alcohol to gently wipe the external auditory canal. This not only relieves itching but also has the effect of disinfection and infection prevention. You can also rub your baby's earlobes to help expel earwax, but don't pick your baby's ears to avoid damaging your baby's delicate skin.

(2) If your baby has a lot of ear secretions, or liquid secretions, or the secretions have a foul odor, you need to take your baby to see a doctor.

Reason 3: Teething

Baby symptoms: often accompanied by drooling, chewing and irritability

Babies may also flap and pull at their ears when they are teething. This is because your baby mistakes the pain of swollen gums for ear pain.

The eruption of baby's deciduous teeth will stimulate the gingival nerves and surrounding tissues, making them feel uncomfortable in the gums and drool a lot. When babies lie flat, this feeling can be transmitted from their gums to their ears, so they will rub their ears constantly.

Treatment method:

If your baby pulls his ears because of discomfort during teething, you don't have to worry too much. You can give your baby some clean teething gel to relieve the discomfort of their gums during teething.