Tonight DD started complaining that her ear hurt. She gets very tired on Fridays and generally when she's tired she complains all sorts of things hurt... When she had a chest infection a few weeks ago I think she learned the power of telling mummy that something hurts or she feels sick.

Eg she ran around for 2.5hrs at a play centre this morning then when we left told me that she felt sick all of a sudden

Anyway, tonight she decided she wanted to go to bed on her own, before the Barbie movie had finished, telling me her head and her ear really hurt. I didn't think too much of it, put her down and she went off to sleep.

But 20 mins later she was awake crying that her ear hurt. This went on for 30mins or so - she'd wake and cry, tell me her ear hurt, I'd soothe her to sleep, repeat 5-10mins later.

Ended up giving her some panadol, eventually she has stopped crying.

She's never had an ear infection but I used to get them, so she might be headed down the same genetic path

Is there any way I can get some idea without taking her to the GP? Of course I will if I need to, but what signs should I look out for?

She doesn't seem feverish. The ear pain thing is the only thing, coupled with the crying tonight. Normally on Friday nights she craaaashes and doesn't stir.

I will of course keep an eye on her tomorrow but I'm concerned about swimming - lesson first thing. Hmm.