Yes, clean a baby’s outer ear and behind the ear; never put anything into the ear canal.
New parents ask this a lot because earwax looks messy. The short answer is that ears clean themselves. Your job is to wipe what you can see, skip the canal, and watch for symptoms that need a pediatrician. This piece lays out what to clean, what to avoid, and how to handle wax, water, and ear drops with baby-safe steps.
Are You Supposed To Clean Baby Ears? Safety Rules That Matter
So, are you supposed to clean baby ears? Yes—the outside. Earwax protects the canal. It traps dust, coats delicate skin, and usually moves outward on its own. Sticking swabs, fingers, cameras, or tools inside the canal can push wax deeper, scratch skin, or hit the eardrum. ENT and pediatric groups advise surface cleaning only and professional care if wax blocks hearing or causes pain.
What To Clean And What To Avoid
Use this quick map before bath time. If you can see it, you can wipe it. If it’s inside the canal, leave it alone.
| Area/Item | Safe Action | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Outer ear (pinna) | Wipe with a soft, damp cloth | Removes sweat, milk, and surface wax |
| Behind the ear folds | Clean and dry | Prevents trapped moisture and smell |
| Ear canal opening | Wipe what is visible only | Let deeper wax migrate out naturally |
| Ear canal (inside) | Do not insert swabs or tools | Avoid packing wax or injuring the eardrum |
| After swimming/bath | Tilt head; pat dry outside | Limits leftover moisture |
| Over-the-counter drops | Use only if advised for wax | Soften wax when there is buildup |
| Ear candles | Avoid completely | Risk of burns and no proof of benefit |
| Hearing aids/ear molds | Wipe shells daily; clinic cleans canals | Devices can collect wax |
Why Earwax Matters In Babies
Earwax—also called cerumen—is a mix of skin flakes and oil from tiny glands. In babies, canals are narrow, so even a small plug can muffle sound. Most wax isn’t a problem and shouldn’t be removed. When the jaw moves during feeding or babbling, wax slowly works outward. You’ll see soft flakes near the opening. That is the part you can wipe.
Safe Cleaning Steps
Daily Or Bath-Day Routine
- Wash your hands. Sit with good light and keep your baby steady on a secure surface.
- Moisten a cotton pad or soft washcloth with warm water. It should be damp, not dripping.
- Wipe the outer ear and the skin behind the ear. Gently lift folds and dry them.
- Look at the canal opening. If a bit of wax sits at the edge, sweep it away with the cloth edge.
- Stop there. Don’t insert swabs, fingers, or “ear scoops.”
When There’s Visible Buildup
If wax is pooling at the opening and your child seems fine, plain mineral oil or a wax-softening drop may help loosen it. Place your baby on the side, add 2–3 drops at the opening, and keep that side up for a minute. Wipe away loosened wax at the edge later the same day. Don’t use drops if there is ear pain, drainage, or a known eardrum hole.
Signs You Should See A Pediatrician
- Ongoing ear pain, fever, or ear drainage
- Hearing seems muffled or your child starts turning one ear toward sounds
- Lots of tugging plus fussiness and sleep trouble
- Wax completely blocks the opening
- A health visit flagged fluid behind the eardrum or a past eardrum hole
Doctors can examine the canal, check the eardrum, and remove wax safely with water irrigation, curettes, or suction when needed.
Cleaning Baby Ears The Right Way: Step-By-Step Extras
Drying After Baths And Swims
Water trapped in the canal can feel annoying and set the stage for swimmer’s ear. After a bath or pool day, tilt the head each way and pat around the opening. Skip hair-dryer heat on babies; gentle towel work is enough.
Using Wax-Softening Drops
Over-the-counter carbamide peroxide or plain mineral oil can soften stubborn wax in older babies if a clinician agrees. Place the child on a flat surface, pull the outer ear slightly back, and instill the drops at the opening—never force a nozzle deep. Keep the child still for a minute, then let them sit up. You may see softened wax near the edge later. Wipe those; leave the rest.
What Not To Do
- No cotton swabs inside the canal. They push wax deeper and can tear thin skin.
- No ear cameras, metal scoops, or “vacuum” gadgets in babies.
- No ear candles. They don’t remove wax and can cause burns.
- No drops if you suspect an ear infection or there was a recent eardrum injury.
How Often To Clean Baby Ears
You don’t need a daily ritual beyond wiping the outer ear during baths. Many weeks will pass with no wax at the edge at all. If your baby drools a lot or has milk dribbles after feeds, clean the skin behind the ear more often to keep it dry.
Authoritative groups echo this light-touch plan. See the NHS guidance on earwax build-up and the AAO-HNS earwax guideline for the “no objects in the canal” rule and when drops or clinic removal make sense.
Are You Supposed To Clean Baby Ears? Common Scenarios
Here are everyday moments that raise questions and what parents can do right away.
| Situation | What It Likely Means | What You Can Do |
|---|---|---|
| Yellow flakes at the edge | Normal wax moving outward | Wipe the edge only |
| Hard plug filling the opening | Impaction | Call your pediatrician for removal options |
| Fever plus ear pulling | Possible ear infection | Seek care; don’t start drops |
| Bad smell and drainage | Infection or foreign body | See a clinician promptly |
| Frequent swimmer | Water lingering in canals | Tilt and dry the outer ear after swims |
| Hearing aids or ear molds | Wax sticking to devices | Wipe devices daily; schedule clinic cleanings |
| Known eardrum hole | Higher risk with liquids | Skip drops unless prescribed |
How Clinicians Remove Wax
In-office removal is quick once a child is positioned well. Methods include warm-water irrigation, tiny curettes, and gentle suction under a lighted scope. The clinician checks the eardrum at the end to be sure the canal is clear. If your child has narrow canals, eczema, or lots of wax from hearing aids, your doctor may set a periodic cleaning plan.
Myths That Cause Trouble
“Wax Means Dirty Ears”
Wax is protective. Clean skin outside; let the canal handle the rest.
“Swabs Keep Ears Healthy”
Swabs pack wax inward and raise the odds of injury. The eardrum is paper-thin; a quick poke can perforate it.
“Candles Pull Out Wax”
Candling doesn’t create suction in the canal and can start fires or leave burns. Skip it for all ages.
When Ear Care Connects To Hearing And Speech
Even short-term hearing loss can affect how babies respond to voices. If you notice fewer smiles at sound, lagging babble, or speech delays, ask for a hearing check. Sometimes the fix is as simple as removing a plug. In other cases a middle ear problem needs treatment.
Quick Checklist You Can Screenshot
- Wipe only what you can see.
- Skip swabs, scoops, cameras, and candles.
- Use drops only with a clinician’s okay.
- Seek care for pain, fever, drainage, or full blockage.
- Ask for hearing checks if responses change.
Putting It All Together
Are you supposed to clean baby ears? Yes—but keep it simple. Clean the outer ear and the skin behind it. Leave the canal alone. Watch for symptoms that point to a plug or infection and let a professional handle deeper wax. With that approach, your baby stays comfortable, you avoid injuries, and ear care fits neatly into bath-time.