Listen up! Ear infections are literally a pain, and they're also one of the most common illness among infants. If your baby is suffering from acute otitis media, more commonly known as an ear infection, he or she won't be shy about letting you know it! You may notice that your little one has suddenly become irritable, or is perhaps not as interested in eating. And sometimes a mild fever or diarrhea may accompany an infection. So, if your baby is also tugging at those little ears, or if you notice a yellowish fluid draining from them, an ear infection is likely the cause. Painful infections like this occur when fluid builds up behind your baby's eardrum. Usually, fluid in this area is removed by the Eustachian tube, which connects the middle ear to the nose and throat. But when a child's Eustachian tube is blocked - often because of a cold or sinus infection - the fluid remains stagnant and can become infected with bacteria. If you suspect that your child has an ear infection, schedule an appointment with the pediatrician, who will assess the severity of the infection, and may suggest putting your child on an antibiotic. But keep in mind that some 80% of ear infections are viral in nature and will clear up without treatment, so your pediatrician may recommend a "wait and see" approach. Whatever course of action you follow, you can help ease the pain of an earache by offering a dose of infant acetaminophen or ibuprofen. Applying a warm compass or ear drops to the infected ear may help, too. Remember that ear infections are rarely serious, but they can lead to complications like a ruptured eardrum or, if there are multiple episodes, long-term hearing loss and speech delay. Therefore, always follow up with your child's pediatrician post-infection - he or she will be "all ears" to any new developments!