Ear pulling can happen during teething, tiredness, or normal self-soothing, but it can also be a sign of an ear infection. Get clear, parent-friendly guidance on what to watch for, when ear pulling is more concerning, and when to call your doctor.
Tell us whether your baby has teething symptoms, fever, fussiness, or other changes, and we’ll provide personalized guidance on whether this sounds more like teething-related ear pulling or a reason to contact your doctor.
Ear pulling in babies is common and does not always mean an ear infection. Some babies tug at their ears while teething because discomfort can seem to spread through the jaw and ear area. Others do it when they are tired, exploring their body, or trying to self-soothe. The bigger concern is when ear pulling happens along with fever, unusual fussiness, poor sleep, feeding changes, or signs that your baby seems sick. Looking at the full picture is the best way to tell if ear pulling is teething or something that needs medical attention.
If your baby is drooling more, chewing on hands or toys, has swollen gums, and seems otherwise fairly well, ear pulling may happen during teething without meaning an ear infection.
Teething can make babies uncomfortable, but a true fever or a baby who seems clearly ill is less likely to be explained by teething alone.
If gum massage, a teether, cuddling, or rest helps and your baby returns to normal between fussy periods, ear tugging may be part of teething discomfort rather than an infection.
Baby pulling at the ear with fever, low energy, or a generally unwell appearance is more concerning and is a common reason to call the doctor.
Ear pain often gets worse when lying down, so babies with an ear infection may wake more often, cry more than usual, or pull away from feeding.
Recent cold symptoms, fluid draining from the ear, balance changes, or one-sided persistent ear tugging can point more toward an ear problem than simple teething.
If your baby is pulling at their ear and has fever, increasing fussiness, trouble sleeping, or seems to be getting worse, it is reasonable to contact your pediatrician.
Younger babies, especially those who are difficult to soothe, feeding poorly, or acting very differently than usual, should be evaluated more promptly.
Get urgent medical care for trouble breathing, unusual sleepiness, signs of dehydration, a stiff neck, swelling around the ear, or fluid or blood coming from the ear.
Teething-related ear pulling usually happens along with drooling, chewing, and gum discomfort, while your baby otherwise seems fairly normal. Ear infection is more likely when ear pulling comes with fever, poor sleep, unusual crying, feeding trouble, or your baby seems sick.
No. Babies often pull at their ears for reasons that are not infections, including teething, tiredness, curiosity, or self-soothing. The concern rises when ear pulling is paired with fever, worsening fussiness, or other signs of illness.
Call your doctor if your baby has fever, is much fussier than usual, is not feeding well, is waking in pain, has drainage from the ear, or if the ear pulling keeps happening and you are unsure what is causing it.
Teething can cause discomfort that seems to spread to the jaw and ear area, which is why some babies tug at their ears while teething. But teething should not explain a baby who seems clearly ill or has persistent fever.
One-sided ear pulling can still happen with teething or habit, but if it is persistent or comes with fever, crying, sleep changes, or drainage, it is worth checking with your doctor because ear infections can affect one ear.
Answer a few questions about symptoms like teething, fever, fussiness, and sleep changes to get a clearer sense of when ear pulling is usually harmless and when it may be time to call your doctor.
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