Redbook Magazine by Phil Galewitz

Are You Making Your Kid's Ear Infections Worse? 
"If you've got kids, you're no stranger to ear infections: They're one of the most frequent childhood illnesses, right up there with the common cold, and account for more than 30 million visits to the doctor's office each year...You want to do right by your child - so try to avoid these common mistakes...

Don't Ban Gum Chewing
     No gum may mean more ear infections in your house. Gum seem to help in two ways: First, chewing gum helps open and close the eustachian tubes so fluid does not accumulate. Second, a sweetener found in certain gums - xylitol - inhibits the growth of bacteria that cause ear infections. (Xylitol is found in many sugarless gums, but it may not be concentrated enough in these gums to be effective. Look in health-food stores for gums with 100 percent xylitol as well as mints or granules for making a syrup...)

     For kids too young to chew gum, xylitol can be taken as a syrup..."