NEW YORK -
13 month old Jordyn Reid has been suffering with chronic ear infections.
Her big sister 2 and half year old Julia used to get them too.
Diagnosing and treating ear infections isn't always easy for doctors. Now the American Academy of Pediatrics is updating its guidelines for children ages 6 months to 12 years so doctors can make a more accurate diagnosis and decide the best treatment.
Ear infections are the most common reason doctors prescribe antibiotics for children in the United States. Doctors hope the new guidelines will help physicians make better decision about who needs antibiotics.
Doctors are advised to examine the eardrum. If it's not bulging children should not get antibiotics.
The recommendation for most children is to wait and watch and treat with pain killers. Antibiotics may be needed if the symptoms don't improve after 3 days.
And in severe cases, like the Reid sisters, ear tube surgery is necessary to get the problem under control.
Julia is doing better since her surgery a year ago. And Jordyn hasn't had any issues since she got her tubes earlier this month.
The new guidelines also recommend breastfeeding exclusively for at least four to 6 months because studies show it can reduce ear infections.
