"Ear infection." Among parents that have lived to tell the tale, these are dirty words. They're the most common ailments that kids between the ages of 6 months and two years suffer from, and they can easily make a kid very miserable. This can mean sleepless nights, cranky days and general melancholy around the house -- no fun.

According to numerous sources, ear infections are problems for two out of every three kids, and they can be severe issues for one of those two. The most common ear infection is acute otitis media, which is an infection of the middle ear. They are typically caused as a result of upper respiratory infections, but there are many factors that can contribute to their creation.

It is possible to take steps to prevent ear infections. There are several factors in your child's life that cause them, and you can easily control them and drastically reduce your kid's chance of picking up another ear infection.

1. Upper respiratory infection - This is one of the most common causes of middle ear infections. Your best bet at preventing this illness is limiting your child's exposure. Avoid taking your baby to places where large crowds gather. While it may seem rude, you should also avoid letting your baby come in contact with people who could be sick.

2. Smoking - Living with secondhand smoke can increase risk for ear infection by up to 50 percent in most children. Most researchers agree that particles in tobacco smoke congest the tube in the inner ear and prevent it from being able to drain. This backup of fluid is a breeding ground for bacteria, leading to ear infection.

3. Bottle feeding - The longer your wife breast feeds, the less likely it will be for your child to develop ear infections. Breastfeeding passes along vital antibodies and immunities that can help prevent the outbreak of infection in children. Also, babies who bottle feed while lying down are more at risk, because the tubes of the inner ear open up when your child is in a horizontal position. This allows fluids to gather, increasing the chance of infection.

4. Family history - Much like asthma or diabetes, chronic ear infections can be genetic ailments. If babies in your family have a history of ear infections, it's possible that you've passed that onto your child as well. If problems persist for extended periods (longer than 48 hours), talk to your pediatrician about antibiotics. If several rounds of antibiotics don't help, you may consider ear tubes. Although this method is controversial, it may be best for a child with chronic problems.

Ear infections can be a nightmare, but they don't have to continue forever. By taking control of just a few factors in your child's life, you can help lessen the odds that he'll come down with another one. Hopefully by following these tips, your whole house can get a good night's sleep again.

For more information on ear infections and how to treat them, consider these links here and here.