11/15/2025
According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, about 60% of children experience at least one ear 👂 infection by their first birthday, and by the age of 3, about 80% of children have had at least one.
Respiratory infections such as colds and flu 🤒 are even more common, and most children will have multiple episodes before age 3.
Unfortunately, the bad news carries on in that research shows that pediatricians and medical doctors should routinely be taking a “watch and wait” approach with ear infections instead of being so quick to prescribe antibiotics. 💊
One study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association found that pediatricians 👩⚕️ in the US frequently prescribe antibiotics for ear infections in children, even when the infections are unlikely to be bacterial or severe. The study concluded that antibiotic prescriptions for ear infections could be reduced by implementing more strict adherence to the “Watch and Wait” guidelines.
Another study published in the journal Pediatrics found that the use of antibiotics 💊 for children with ear infections decreased when physicians were educated about the guidelines and given tools to follow them.
However, the study also found that not all physicians were aware of the guidelines, suggesting that more education and outreach may be needed to improve adherence to the guidelines.
Luckily, parents have started to do their own research to learn all about the dangerous side effects of antibiotics when misused and overused, and then advocate for their kids’ health when they are struggling and doctors want to turn to antibiotics as the first option instead of the last resort.
We’ve seen an incredible “tide shift” due to this, where parents are now awesomely giving us a call and seeking out natural options for their children’s health care. The vast majority of our patients now use our care and natural remedies as not only prevention but the first line of defense when their children first begin to get sick.
To learn more about how these adjustments work and the dangerous side effects of antibiotics, check out the link in our bio for articles and empowering education. 🤍