Crying is communicating, and babies start to communicate straight from birth.  Language (especially English) is a very difficult concept to learn for developing children. That said, they have an immediate desire to connect both physically with their parents, but also socially using whatever form of communication they can. Babies are able to move their hands and limbs far before they are able to manage sounds required for speech. Introducing sign language to your  hearing baby is an excellent way to advance their spoken skills, and reduce their frustration and crying.
Teaching your baby sign language takes time, but it is worth it, and has been show to actually acelerate spoken language skills rather than delay them.  Babies first need to develop sufficient motor skills in order …

Middle ear infections (acute otits media or sometimes called “glue ear”) are very common with children between age 6 months to 3 years old. They are the 2nd most common childhood illness, and the leading cause of surgery (bilateral myringotomy) for young children in the US.  The root cause of infections are most typically a diet high in dairy or wheat, congestion from allergies or colds and exposure to second hand smoke. About 1 in 10 pre-school children experience middle ear infections at some time.
Ear tube surgery is typically recommended by doctors (but not by most naturopaths) after a period of 3 to 4 months of chronic ear infections or significant hearing loss.  Getting your child’s hearing professionally tested is always a good idea as …