{"id":"8d71e2e12c6d97e67abc8b403a514514","slug":"why-does-my-4-month-old-baby-pull-at-their-ears-and-cry-after-feeding","question":"Why does my 4 month old baby pull at their ears and cry after feeding?","answer":"Ear pulling and crying after feeding in a 4-month-old can have several causes, but the sources provided don't directly address this specific symptom pattern. The research I have focuses on colic and milk allergy in the first 3 months, which is slightly outside your baby's age.\n\nThat said, if your baby has a milk allergy, it can cause discomfort after feeding. If you're breastfeeding, you could try eliminating all dairy for 2–4 weeks to see if the fussiness improves. If you're formula feeding, ask your doctor about hydrolyzed formulas. Ear pulling itself can also be a self-soothing habit or a sign of teething, though teething typically starts closer to 6 months.\n\nSince your baby is 4 months old and the symptoms are linked to feeding, it's worth a conversation with your pediatrician to rule out ear infection, reflux, or other discomfort—they can examine your baby directly and give you a clear picture of what's happening.","sources":"[{\"pmid\":\"41305650\",\"title\":\"Infantile Colic: When to Suspect Cow's Milk Allergy.\",\"journal\":\"Nutrients\",\"year\":\"2025\",\"url\":\"https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41305650/\",\"score\":0.77}]","thread_json":null,"topic":"pain-relief-baby","view_count":4,"created_at":"2026-08-26T00:46:58.900Z"}