If your baby keeps pulling, rubbing, tugging or grabbing at their ear, you’re probably running through the same question every parent does: is it teething, an ear infection, or just a curious baby discovering a new body part? Babies communicate discomfort (and plenty of harmless habits) through their hands long before they can use words, and the ear is one of the first places they reach for.

In this guide, we’ll cover why babies pull, rub or tug their ears at different ages, how to tell teething and ear infection apart, what actually helps, and when it’s time to call the doctor.

At What Age Do Babies Start Pulling or Playing With Their Ears?

Ear pulling and tugging can show up anywhere from the newborn stage through toddlerhood, but it becomes most common between around 3 months and 3 years old. In the early months (think 3, 4, 5 and 6 month olds), it’s usually simple exploration, babies are discovering their hands and their body at the same time. From around 6 months onward, teething and a higher risk of ear infections both enter the picture, so the same gesture can mean something different depending on the age and the other symptoms alongside it. For a broader sense of what’s typical at each stage, our baby milestones guide is a good place to check what else to expect around the same age.

Why Do Babies Pull, Rub, Tug or Grab Their Ears?

There are several reasons behind this behaviour, and more than one can be happening at once. Here are the most common ones:

• Teething: When new teeth push through the gums, the pain can radiate up towards the ear, which is why so many teething babies end up rubbing, tugging or grabbing at their ear. Our guide on early teething signs in babies covers the full picture of what tends to show up first.
• Ear infections: Babies and toddlers between 3 months and 3 years are more prone to ear infections, because their ear tubes are more horizontal, making it harder for fluid to drain. The build-up of fluid causes pressure and pain, which often shows up as pulling, scratching or holding the ear.
• Exploration: As fine motor skills improve, babies become more aware of their own body. Touching, tugging or playing with their ears is often just them discovering something new — usually with no crying or distress attached.
• Blocked ears or wax build-up: A build-up of wax can create a feeling of fullness or blockage, leading to irritation and scratching.
• Allergies or a cold: Congestion from a cold or allergies can create pressure in the ears, making babies rub or tug at them for relief.
• Tiredness or self-soothing: Many babies pull, hold or play with their ear when they’re sleepy or overtired, in the same way some suck their thumb or stroke a comforter.
• Dry or itchy skin: Dry skin around the ear, often from heating, air-conditioning, soaps or laundry detergent, can cause simple itching and scratching.

Baby Pulling or Holding Their Ear While Feeding, Nursing or Sleeping

It’s very common for babies to tug, hold or rub their ear specifically while feeding, nursing or drifting off to sleep. During feeding, the sucking and swallowing motion changes the pressure in the middle ear, which some babies notice and respond to by touching their ear, this is usually harmless, but if it’s a new habit alongside fussiness at the breast or bottle, it’s worth keeping an eye on for early infection signs. While sleeping, ear holding is more often just a self-soothing habit, similar to the way a baby might stroke their own hair or ear as they settle. If night feeds and unsettled sleep are a regular struggle at your house generally (not just around ear-touching), our tips on setting up a proper night feed station with a nursing chair can make those night wakings easier to manage either way.

How to Tell If It’s Teething or an Ear Infection

It can be tricky to tell whether ear pulling is down to teething or an infection. Here’s how the signs usually differ:

Signs of Teething

• Increased drooling
• Red or swollen gums
• Gnawing and chewing on things
• Mild irritability
• Mild temperature of less than 38°C
• Flushed cheeks
• Rash on the face
• Not sleeping well

If you want a fuller breakdown of what to expect and how long it typically lasts, see our guides on early teething signs in babies and how long teething lasts. Teething can also disrupt naps and night sleep on its own, our piece on whether teething affects baby sleep explains what’s normal.

Signs of Ear Infection

• Fussiness and crying
• Fever
• Fluid drainage from the ear
• Difficulty sleeping
• Trouble hearing or responding to sound
• Trouble with balance or dizziness
• Loss of appetite

One thing worth knowing: a mild fever alone doesn’t automatically mean infection, teething can cause a mild fever too. It’s the combination of symptoms, not any single one, that points you in the right direction.

What Can Parents Do?

If It’s Teething

• Offer a teething toy to help soothe gum discomfort
• Use a clean, cold washcloth for the baby to chew on
• Give them a teething ring for safe chewing and pressure relief
• Gently massage their gums with a clean finger
• If needed, use a doctor-approved pain reliever like paracetamol or ibuprofen
• According to the NHS, babies aged 6 months or older can also be given something healthy and safe to chew on, such as raw fruit or vegetables

For more remedies specific to gum pain, take a look at our guide to soothing teething pain and our roundup of natural teething remedies.

If It’s an Ear Infection

• Consult a paediatrician for an evaluation
• Follow the doctor’s guidance on painkillers or antibiotics (if bacterial)
• Keep your baby hydrated

When to See a Doctor

It’s important to consult a doctor if your child:

• Shows signs of infection like fever, difficulty hearing, or discharge from the ear
• Is inconsolably fussy or in pain
• Has symptoms that persist for more than a few days
• Has an unexplained fever and seems generally unwell
• May have inserted a foreign object in their ear

Ear pulling with no fever and no other symptoms is very often nothing to worry about, but always trust your instincts. If something feels off, it’s worth a check-up regardless of what the “textbook” signs say.

Final Thoughts

Ear pulling, rubbing and tugging in babies can come from many places, teething, infection, tiredness, or simply a baby discovering their own ears. Watching for accompanying symptoms is the best way to tell them apart, and when in doubt, a quick check with your doctor will always put your mind at ease.

Frequently Asked Questions