I'm interested in hearing other people's experiences with tubes for their children's ears.

DD has had ear infections since she was very young. We first did Tubes when she was approx 24 mos. We noticed she could hear better right away and she was less moody as a result. But the tubes fell out after a few months.

At 3 we did tubes again and had her Adenoids removed. We noticed improvement again, but she still got ear infections, they just cleared up faster. And again, the tubes fell out about 6 months later.

Now she is 4.5 yo. We've managed to decrease her ear infections by taking her off of dairy. However, I'm the only person in her life that enforces this diet. Meaning, grandma, grandpa, DH, etc., will all let her have dairy--they think I'm being mean.

DD's ear doctor is once again recommending tubes. This time, however, we have HMO and we'd have to pay the $3,000+ out of pocket.

Now, DD's health is well-worth $3,000. Don't get me wrong here. I just don't know that tubes, again, is the right solution.

I just don't know what to do . . .