A fever actually has a purpose!
A fever is actually the body’s natural response to a virus or infection. A fever doesn’t always mean something is seriously wrong, just that their body is fighting something.
The goal is not to eliminate the fever, but to control it so it doesn’t get too high.
Fevers for age groups
Newborns (6 weeks of age or younger):
Anything above 100.4 degrees is considered an emergency. Do not give medication to drop the fever until you speak with your doctor. If it’s after normal business hours you should go to Urgent Care or the Emergency Room.
Babies (age 7 weeks to 6 months):
Anything above 101 requires a call to the doctor. If it’s after business hours Tylenol can be given to control it and try to keep it around 101-102. If it’s not possible to keep the fever under 102 then a trip to Urgent Care of the emergency room is a good idea if your doctor’s office doesn’t open in a couple hours.
Babies and kid’s older than 6 months:
Anything over 104 requires a call to the doctor. If you’re unable to get the fever to 104 or lower you will need to go to Urgent Care or the Emergency room if it’s not within business hours. 104 sounds high but what’s more important is how they are behaving. Are they drinking ok? Peeing ok? Are they active? If they seem lethargic it doesn’t matter if their fever is only 100 the doctor should be called immediately.
How do I take my baby's temperature?
We recommend taking it under the arm. You no longer need to add a degree to it.
TIP: Do not take your baby’s temperature while they are asleep. Also wait for about 30 minutes after they wake up before taking their temp. When we sleep our body temp raises naturally.
Just make sure you tell your doctor how you took it so they know. I know there is other ways out there but we do not recommend them because it’s hard to get a good oral temp reading with a baby or child and a rectal temp can actually hurt a baby and cause tears in the anus.
How to control a fever:
1. You never wants to freeze out or sweat out a fever.
We sometimes see advice along the lines of wrap them up and make them sweat. This is actually dangerous and can make a fever much worse. Plus if they sweat a lot they can become dehydrated really fast.
We also see advice along the lines of strip them down so they cool off. This is actually the worst thing you can do for a fever. When a body gets cold the response is to kick the internal temp up which can send a common fever into high fever territory with just a couple shivers.
TIP: Keep baby in light, breathable clothing. Don’t cover them up in flannel pajamas. A onesie/T-shirt and a light blanket will be perfect in most cases! Keep the house a comfortable temp for the entire family.
2. Luke warm baths help regulate body temp.
Do not make the water hot. You want it to be cool to the touch but not freeze your child or make them shiver. The goal is to make them comfortable. If you notice they are sweating or shivering remove them from the water and make sure the temp is right.
3. OTC Medications.
Medications such as Tylenol and Motrin are great at dropping a fever. Sometimes you will only see a .5 drop and other times you might see a bigger one.
Too often we see babies over or underdosed because the age is used to determine the dose.
Giving a half dose to be ‘safe’ is actually a bad idea because it can cause their body to learn to ignore the medication and when it’s really needed it will no longer work.
How do I make a kiddo more comfortable?
One of the most common things we get asked about illness is how to help with congestion of the nose. No one likes a stuffy nose! It makes eating and drinking hard. It makes getting comfortable hard. So of course a Momma will want to soothe their kid! Here are some ways to help:
Humidifier
Probably the greatest invention when it comes to colds. Adding moisture into the air is a great way to help their little noses breathe a little easier. There isn’t a difference really between a cool mist or a hot mist humidifier. I prefer cool mist because it’s safer around a child. No risk of burns.
Hot steamy shower
Turn your shower on hot and close the doors. You want the bathroom to get really steamy. In my house this is what we do in the middle of the night because it also tends to make my kids a little bit sleepier and relaxed.
Saline nose spray (Or breastmilk!)
Spray in each nostril or add a couple drops to each nostril. This moistens up the inside of their sinuses and can help them breathe better. It can also make it much easier to get out any snot or boogers that have dried inside. So wait about 5-10 minutes and get the nose sucker out.
