Ear infection or teething?

Rachael • 30 y/o mama to Ryker and Zayden.

So my little guy has been tugging on his ears. Especially when he is nursing he seems very arrogated with them. He hasn’t been sleeping well at night, up about every 3 hours. His ears are red on and off but he has been pulling on them.

So I’m torn between thinking it’s an ear infection or just teething because he has some tooth buds, drooling, slight mouth rash, he is still taking his naps, kinda cranky but not inconsolable. No fever. I really don’t want to take him in unless it’s necessary and expose him to germs. I have already had COVID (I work in the hospital) and I was lucky enough to not infect him or my hubby so I just don’t want to fill myself with worry by having to take him in.