If an infant is experiencing ear pain, what should you advise the adult to do?

Advising the adult to use a bottle or pacifier is effective because sucking can help equalize ear pressure, which is often the cause of ear pain in infants. This action may alleviate discomfort by promoting swallowing and thereby opening the Eustachian tubes. This recommendation is particularly relevant during changes in altitude, such as during takeoffs and landings, when pressure differences can lead to ear discomfort for infants.

In this situation, while other options like administering a pain reliever, seeking immediate medical attention, and monitoring behavior might be valid responses in different contexts, they do not directly address the immediate method to alleviate ear pain through the natural action of sucking. Each of those alternatives can play a role depending on the severity of the situation or the persistence of the pain, but using a bottle or pacifier provides an immediate comfort response that can help manage the infant’s discomfort effectively in the moment.