Newborns with water in their ears from bathing may increase the production of cerumen in the ear canal or cause infections, but for the most part there is no effect. Water in the newborn’s ear during bathing, if not drained in time, may stimulate the secretion of oil from the glands in the ear canal, thus increasing the production of cerumen in the ear canal. This situation requires parents to assist in the use of cotton swabs to clean the secretions in the ear canal. If there are bacteria in the water mixed with the cerumen in the external ear canal after water ingress, it may cause otitis externa or otitis media, and the baby may have symptoms such as earache, ear scratching and head rubbing. This condition needs to be treated with antibiotics such as cefixime under doctor’s supervision. In most cases, water in the ears of newborns does not have any effect on them. If the amount of water ingress is small, the water in the ear will evaporate or flow out freely, thus having little or no effect. If the amount of water ingress is a little large, you can turn the child’s ear downward, and let the water flow out smoothly by pulling the auricle of the ear, or dip it out through a cotton swab.