For years physicians were guided to take a "watch and see" approach to treating children's ear infections. But a new study found that children under two felt better and recovered faster when treated with antibiotics. Previous recommendations guided pediatricians to wait a few days to see of the illness went away on its own. Paul Lyons of Temple's School of Medicine said that diagnosing a true ear infection in a child is challenging. "In a lot of busy practices that may or may not be a practical recommendation when you add ear wax and the significant distress it potentially causes," he said.