Why Is My Baby Pulling Their Ears? Causes & Care | Parenting Hub
Babies pull their ears for lots of reasons — exploring, teething, tiredness, or ear infection. Here's how to tell when it matters.
Ear pulling on its own is rarely an infection. The signs that point to an ear problem are fever, pain at night, fluid from the ear, or a baby who's miserable and off feeds.
Why babies pull at their ears
Most common reasons are completely benign.
- Discovery — from around 4 months, babies find their ears and explore them
- Tiredness — many babies tug ears as a self-soothing tired sign
- Teething — referred pain from gums can feel like ear pain
- Ear wax — itchy or irritated canal
- Eczema — itchy skin in or around the ear
- Ear infection — usually with other clear signs
Signs it could be an ear infection
Look for the combination, not just ear pulling.
- Fever (especially over 38.5°C)
- Crying or waking more at night, worse lying flat
- Off feeds or vomiting
- Cold or runny nose in the last few days
- Fluid or pus from the ear
- Baby seems unwell or miserable
What to do
If baby is otherwise happy, feeding well and has no fever, ear pulling alone isn't a worry — keep watching. If you see any of the infection signs above, book a GP appointment.
When to seek urgent care
High fever, severe pain, drowsiness, swelling behind the ear, or baby under 3 months with any fever — same-day medical assessment.
When to seek help
- Fever over 38°C in baby under 3 months
- Pus or fluid from the ear
- Swelling or redness behind the ear
- Baby drowsy, floppy or very unwell
Common questions
My baby only pulls at their ears when tired — is that normal?
Yes, very common. Many babies use ear pulling as a self-soothing tired cue alongside eye rubbing.
Does teething cause ear pain?
Yes — the nerves to the back teeth and ear are shared, so teething can feel like ear pain. Look for drooling, biting and gum swelling alongside.