The best way to prevent ear infections is to avoid the upper respiratory infections that can lead to them. This means keeping your young children away from kids who are sick if you can help it. Also, keeping your child’s environment smoke-free and as free of pollution as possible can reduce the chances of an ear infection. Breast feeding your baby for the first six months of life provides antibodies that can help protect them against infections. If you feed your baby with a bottle, hold them in an upright position; ear infections are more common in babies who are fed while lying down.