“How can I clean my baby's ear wax at home?”

If your baby has moist ear wax , just use a washcloth to clean the outer ear. A q-tip can push the wax further in and risks puncturing the eardrum. If your baby has hard crusty ear wax, you can put a few drops of mineral oil in them to soften it a few times a week. I like to put the bottle in warm water to make it room temperature or a little warm but not hot. Never microwave it. Always test it against your skin to make sure it’s not hot. If you do it in the bath any that runs into their skin is a good moisturizer so no worries there.

Do not try to "dig out" the ear wax in your child's ear - it will only push it further in. Clean in the outside of the ear - wherever you can see, but leave the stuff inside the canal alone. There are nonprescription ear drops you can buy to minimize the amount of ear wax, or the essential oil Basil (ALWAYS in a carrier oil) can help.

Shelley C. Springer, MD, MBA, MSc, JD, FAAP
Pediatrician/Neonatologist
Casper Children's Center, LLC

alt email: scspringer@mindspring.com

You should not routinely clean was out of a child’s ears. To clean the ears simply use a washcloth with water and soap and gently wipe the ear including the outer part of the ear canal. Never stick anything into the ear canal.