How to Avoid Getting Water in Baby’s Ear During Bath Time

I know I’m not the only one who’s afraid of getting water in baby’s ear during bath time or at the pool. Especially for babies who are prone to swimmer’s ear or get several ear infections from being submerged in water. You can only give babies a sponge bath for so long…

I actually had this problem with my second born. She has very sensitive ears and any amount of water gives her an ear infection. It’s really a pain for both me and her. 

That’s when I had to try different methods of keeping water out of my child’s ear. It wasn’t easy. Some babies won’t let you place anything inside or around their ears, so I can understand the struggle of trying to prevent getting water in baby’s ear during bath time.

While it can be annoying to deal with fussy babies who won’t let you come close to their ears, it’s much better than dealing with a fussy baby who has swimmer’s ear or an ear infection. That’s why I’ve put this article together to let you know the best ways on how to keep water out of your baby’s ear when bathing or swimming. Here we go. 

How to Avoid Getting Water in Baby’s Ear During Bath Time 

If you’re a parent trying to avoid getting water in baby’s ear during bath time or at the pool, you may be looking for the right solution to prevent ear infections. A sponge bath might be the perfect solution, however, it won’t always be an option when your baby gets older. 

Luckily, there are other things that can be done to prevent this. Try out these methods below:

Earplugs for Small Children

The first and easiest solution to avoid getting water in baby’s ear during bath time is earplugs. This creates a watertight seal and also helps to avoid a sneaky middle ear infection.

Yes, you can certainly use earplugs for your baby. There are some especially made for small ears that will not harm your child and will keep water out of the ear. Some people might suggest using moldable earplugs for babies, however, there’s no need when there are earplugs made specifically for children for this very reason. 

Here are a few suggestions that work well to keep water out of your baby’s ears:

WaterDam Swimming Ear Plugs

These are specifically designed for children’s ear canals. They are made with super soft silicon (soft as baby’s skin) which make them easy to put in and stay in comfortably. They are completely waterproof and even feature an anti-slide design to help them stay inside the ear. What’s more, is that they can be used in any type of water; sea water, warm water, hot water, and pool water. They are high water temperature resistant of up to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Baby wash will not affect them.

Hearprotek 2 Pairs Swimming Ear Plugs for Kids

These are also made of silicon for a tight and comfortable fit and can prevent water from getting into your baby’s ears while taking a bath, shower, or swimming. However, what’s interesting about these earplugs is that they feature a hollow space to help minimize hearing disruptions. So your child will be able to hear well with these earplugs in. These can be used in a baby bathtub with warm water and baby wash. They also come in a variety of fun colors for older kids to choose from. 

It’s important to mention that there is a chance some earplugs will fall out, so keep an eye on your baby’s ears while bathing them. 

If your baby is extra fidgety in the bath, it may help to purchase a headband that goes over the ears to keep the earplugs in place. You can also use a shower cap to cover your baby’s head.

Headbands and Shower Caps 

Another option you can try is a shower cap to cover the baby’s head and ears. Shower Caps may not be as effective as earplugs since you’ll need to remove the cap to gently wash your little one’s hair. However, it’s an easy and cheap way of keeping water out of your baby’s ears. 

Though, if you’d like a better alternative, there are headbands specifically designed to cover your child’s ears to prevent bath water from getting into them. This way you can still wash their hair with baby shampoo while avoiding the ears. You can also wash your baby’s face with a soft towel while using the headband.

You can try this EAR BAND-IT Ultra Swimming Headband available on Amazon. It comes with a pair of earplugs for extra security while swimming, however, if you’re just bathing your baby’s body, you might not need to use the earplugs. 

Another alternative to shower caps and headbands would be using a baby bath visor to shield your baby’s face. These are intended to keep the water and baby shampoo out of your child’s eyes when you wash your baby’s hair, but they can also be used to keep the water and baby shampoo from getting into baby’s face and ears during baby’s bath time. There are even some specifically designed to cover the ears. You can use these in addition to earplugs just to be extra safe. 

Vaseline-Coated Cotton Balls

Using vaseline-coated cotton balls to keep water out of your baby’s ears during baby bath time is a traditional method that’s been used for decades. People still use this method and swear that it works just as well as earplugs. (Some people even use baby oil which isn’t recommended!)

This is probably the most accessible method to use because you most likely have these things right at home. However, you’ll need to get them ready for your child each time they take a bath, which can be a bit tedious with all the other things you need to do to get your baby ready for bath time. 

What’s good about this method is the fact that it’s widely recommended by doctors to help prevent water from going into your little one’s ears. And, it actually doesn’t take that long to set up. 

Here are the steps:

1. Grab half a cotton ball. Be sure to consider how big your baby’s ear canal is. Though, half a cotton ball is usually just right for an infant. 
2. Next, you’ll need to measure a tablespoon of Vaseline (do not substitute for baby oil) to add to the cotton ball. 
3. Rub the Vaseline into the cotton ball until the cotton ball is thoroughly coated. Be sure not to leave any part of the cotton ball dry. Any dry area of the cotton ball can get soaked with water while inside the ear and allow more water to enter the ear canal. So make sure the cotton ball is completely covered in Vaseline. 
4. The next step is to take the Vaseline-coated cotton ball and place it in your baby’s outer ear. Do not push the cotton ball too deep that it enters the ear canals, as this can damage them and will be hard to remove. They should just be pushed in deep enough to keep the ball from falling out. 
5. Lastly, if there are any bits of the cotton ball sticking out of your child’s ears be sure to tuck them in as best as you can. 

And, viola, you’ve got yourselves a pair of DIY moldable earplugs! That’s really all there is to it. It might be annoying to do this every time you bathe your child, but it doesn’t really take that long once you get used to it.

You can always try out any or all of these solutions to keep water out of your baby’s ears during bath time to see which one works best for you. 

You can even try to avoid getting water in your child’s ears while bathing them without any of these methods, but there’s always a chance that water will make its way into the ears. 

So, it’s best to stay on the safe side and try out these methods. Even the simplest of them. If not, giving your baby a sponge bath is the perfect way to make sure water doesn’t enter their ears.

Why Getting Bath Water in Baby’s Ear During Bath Time is Bad

While it may not seem that bad to parents when water gets in our ears, for baby’s, ear infections can be very painful. There’s also swimmer’s ear which can be very irritating and lead your baby to be fussy throughout the day and night.

The Risk of Ear Infections and Middle Ear Infections

When water gets stuck inside the ear canal, it can wear down the pH balance of the area causing an ear infection. This paves the way for all types of fungus to grow inside your child’s ear which can cause complications if untreated. 

An ear infection may not be as painful for you, but, for a child, it can be very irritating. Children have a lot less patience than you might have. Aside from an ear infection and middle ear infections, there is the odd feeling of having water stuck inside your child’s ear. This can make your baby fussy which can lead to having a hard time sleeping and crying throughout the night.

Tubes in the Ears

A lot of kids get excessive ear infections leading doctors to place tubes in their ears to prevent this. These tubes allow the fluid to drain from the ear. On the other hand, these tubes make it much easier for water to enter the ear. 

Even though having tubes placed inside the ear can help water escape, it makes it more likely for ear infections to occur because it’s easier for water to enter the ear. 

Many parents whose children have tubes placed in their ears have to take precautions such as using earplugs when bathing them or going to the pool to prevent the risk of infections. 

The Thought of Using Cotton Swabs

One risk factor when getting water in baby’s ear during bath time is the thought of using Cotton Swabs (Q-tips) to get the water out, or dry the water. 

This is definitely not recommended, and is in no way a method of getting water out of your child’s ears. Actually, cotton swabs (Q-tips) should never be used to clean out the ear canal. 

They are only intended to be used to clean the outer ear. Never insert cotton swabs or a Q-tip inside the ear. This can cause damage to the ear canal and ear drum. 

The best way to dry your baby’s ear out is to turn them to the side and gently shake the water out of their ear. You can also use a soft towel or a soft washcloth to dry the ear like you would your baby’s hair. If you believe water has entered their ear, it’s best to seek advice from your child’s doctor. 

Final Thoughts: Getting Water in Baby’s Ear During Bath Time

Getting water in baby’s ear during bath time is not a big deal and nothing to get upset about. This is actually very common and, most times, your baby will be alright. However, it’s always best to avoid this from happening due to ear infections and other problems. 

By using the methods mentioned earlier, you’ll be able to confidently bathe your baby without having to worry about getting water anywhere near the inside of your baby’s ears (and without having to give them a sponge bath). However, if you’re confident enough to be able to prevent water from getting into your child’s ears without using the methods above, then more power to you. 

It’s hard enough cleaning your baby’s skin with all the worries it comes with. I understand how some parents can feel exhausted by all the extra precautions, however, it is always better to stay on the safe side with our kids, especially when they are so young. It’s also recommended that we be extra careful when baby’s skin comes in contact with water. So, taking extra precautions is worth the effort.