When administering ear medication to a child under 3 years old, which direction should the earlobe be pulled?

When administering ear medication to a child under 3 years old, the correct direction to pull the earlobe is down and back. This technique aligns the ear canal properly for optimal medication delivery. Children in this age group have different anatomical ear structures compared to older children and adults. Their ear canals are shorter and more horizontal, making it important to angle the ear correctly to ensure that the medication reaches the affected area effectively.

Pulling the earlobe down and back opens the ear canal and can help prevent any discomfort during the process. In contrast, pulling it up and back, which is appropriate for older children and adults, would not facilitate the proper delivery of medication in younger children. Sideways or down alone would not adequately align the ear canal for the medication to reach its intended site. Thus, down and back is the most effective technique for administering ear drops in this age group.