Rod Moser, in his book Ears, an Owner's Manual, lists who is most likely to get ear infections:

• Boys more than girls
• Bottle-fed infants more than breast fed
• Children in large families or who are in day care centers
• Infants whose mother smokes during pregnancy or who are subjected to second-hand smoke
• Children with allergies or who have numerous colds

You may have no choice but to place your child in a day care center, but there are some preventative measures you can take at home.

Breast feed your baby if possible, or if you do use a bottle, elevate your baby head to help keep the Eustachian tube clear by elevating the head end of the mattress. The Eustachian tube connects the middle ear with the respiratory system, and because bacteria can work their way up the tube into the middle ear, it is a route for infections. Putting your baby flat on its back with a propped-up bottle invites ear infections. Additionally, an English study reports more ear infections in infants who sleep face down than in those who sleep face up. (J. O. Klein, Boston City Hospital in APUA Newsletter, Summer 1996, Vol. 14, #2.)

Since most ear infections follow colds, and colds affect the Eustachian tube, try to make your home more ''cold proof''. Allergies, dust, cigarette smoke, and exposure to others with colds, all can be minimized by home cleanliness and the frequent washing of hands. Here are some tips from the Centers for Disease Control on ways to prevent the upper respiratory infections which may lead to middle ear infection (otitis media):

When you suspect that a child has an upper respiratory infection:

• Teach children (if old enough) to cover their mouths with a disposable tissue when they cough and blow their noses with disposable tissues.
• Only use a tissue once and then immediately throw it away.
• Try to prevent children from sharing toys that they put in their mouths.
• If at all practical, wash and disinfect these toys before allowing children to play with them again.
• If your child shows allergic reactions to certain foods (milk products are often listed), find alternatives.
• Above all, make sure children and adults use good hand washing practices.

There is a debate going on within medical circles about the best way to treat middle ear infections called ''otitis media''. Many parents have pleaded with medical providers to give antibiotics after one trip to the clinic. But in recent years, kids' ear infections have shown dramatic increases and developed resistant bacteria, suggesting that this practice has serious drawbacks. Your medical provider probably knows this and may suggest that you wait and watch. Heed this advice.

Rod Moser states: ''Ear infections are one of the most frequently diagnosed, misdiagnosed, and over treated of childhood illnesses. In my view, ear infections are not emergencies and thus have no real reason to be in the hospital emergency room. Treat the pain and wait until morning.''

Current research supports his statements.