There are all sorts of factors involved in why babies pull on their ears so often. They may be playing with their ears, but there is a huge possibility that it is because the baby feels that their ears are itchy. What causes itchy ears in babies? The reason why babies often pull on their ears is due to a variety of factors, they may be in addition to ear infections, babies can not help but pull on their ears when they are teething. Why is this? Next we have a brief introduction to the problem of itchy ears in babies. 1.Baby pulling on earsIf your infant pulls hard on his or her ears, it is possible that the infant has just discovered his or her ears. However, in some cases, this may indicate that your baby is experiencing pain in a certain ear area. According to Consult with Dr. Sears online, infants younger than one year of age are not able to express pain in their ears and do not know if the pain is coming from the outer structures of the ear, the immediate area of the ear, or the inner ear. Watching for other signs can help you determine whether your baby is just playing with his or her ears or has an ear infection. 2. Swimming ear infections Pulling, tugging, poking or itching on the outer ear can be a sign of swimming ear infections (also known as inflammation of the outer ear canal). Swimming otitis, is an infection of the inner layer of the outer ear canal. This infection is caused when there is a buildup of fluid in the ear canal during a rain shower or tub bath, or when the ear canal is irritated by a cotton swab. The gradual damage to the protective skin layer creates an environment suitable for bacterial growth. Other signs of swimmer’s ear infections include yellowing, dampness, foul-smelling discharge and redness. 3. Ear infectionsEar infections, or otitis media, can also cause your infant to pull at his or her ears. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, ear infections are most common in children between the ages of six months and three years old and often cause cold-like symptoms such as runny nose, irritability, earache, fever, yellow ear drainage, sleep problems and hearing loss. In addition, your baby may cry more during feedings because sucking and swallowing can cause pressure and pain in the ears. 4.Teething Babies also slap and pull their ears during teething. This is because your baby mistakes the pain of swollen gums for ear pain. Other signs of teething include drooling, chewing and getting angry easily. Sometimes a teething baby may also have a slight fever, but according to the American Academy of Pediatrics, fevers in this case usually don’t exceed 101 degrees Fahrenheit (equal to about 38.3 degrees Celsius). 5. TreatmentIf your baby seems weak and has a fever over 104 degrees Fahrenheit (40 degrees Celsius); or if your baby is less than 12 weeks old and has a fever over 100.4 degrees Fahrenheit (38 degrees Celsius), it’s time to call your doctor right away. If you are not sure about the severity of the ear symptoms, then always consult your doctor. You can use medications such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen to relieve your baby’s ear pain, read the package directions and use the appropriate dosage for your child’s age.