Diet and Food Guidance for Ear Infection

No food cures or prevents an ear infection once it has started. Diet matters mostly for comfort and recovery.

During an infection

• Keep up fluids. Water, ORS if there is fever and poor intake, and breast or formula milk for babies.
• Offer soft, easy foods if chewing hurts. Chewing can aggravate ear pain.
• Small, frequent meals are fine if appetite is low.
• Warm soups and dal are comforting, but are food, not treatment.

For babies

• Never bottle-feed lying flat. Feed with the head higher than the stomach.
• Breastfeeding in the first 6 months is linked with fewer ear infections.
• Do not prop a bottle in the baby's mouth.

What to avoid

• Avoid foods only if a doctor has confirmed an allergy. Cutting out milk or other foods "just in case" is not supported by good evidence and can hurt a child's nutrition.
• Do not use any food, such as oil or juice, as an ear drop.

The classical view. Ayurvedic texts advise avoiding cold, heavy and Kapha-increasing foods and drinks (chilled water, ice cream, curd at night) during ear and throat problems. This is a traditional rule of thumb, and research evidence for it is limited. If a child's symptoms flare with certain foods, mention it to the doctor, but do not restrict a child's diet more than a doctor advises.

If a child is unwell and not eating much, do not force food. A day or two of lighter eating is fine as long as the child keeps drinking and passing urine normally. Poor drinking, repeated vomiting or unusual sleepiness are reasons to call the doctor.