This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of FeverAll. All opinions are 100% mine.
Inside: 5 ways to reduce fever in babies and toddlers that parents can do at home.
When your little one is sick, all you want to do as a parent is make them feel better. NOW.
Whenever possible, I try to handle things at home and stay out of the emergency room. However, when your baby or toddler has a fever, it can be pretty scary!
I’ll never forget when our youngest daughter was a baby and had a fever that suddenly spiked to 104°F. That was one instance where we trusted our gut and took her to the doctor’s office right away.
Turns out she had strep throat and an antibiotic was needed to start the healing process. In the meantime, our doctor suggested acetaminophen to keep the fever down.
Thing is, most fever medicines, even those marketed for children, do not include dosing information for babies or toddlers.
That’s why I was thrilled to find one that does: FeverAll® Infants’ Strength Suppositories. Keep reading to learn more!
When to Call the Doctor about a Baby’s Fever
When my baby has a fever, I usually call my friend Rosie first. She’s a pediatric ER physician, so I really trust her opinion. She’ll give it to me straight and let me know if this is something we can manage at home, or whether it’s time to bring the baby in to urgent care.
A fever is a body temperature that is higher than normal. It usually means that the body is fighting off an illness, so it can actually be a sign that the immune system is doing what it is supposed to do.
Usually a fever isn’t dangerous, though it can make your child uncomfortable. However, fever in young infants or a fever that is too high can be cause for concern.
These are the reasons you’ll want to call a doctor about fever:
- If your baby is 3 months old or younger
- For a fever of 101°F or higher (ages 3 months – 5 months)
- For a fever of 102°F or higher (ages 6 months and up)
- When fever is accompanied by other severe symptoms, such as trouble breathing or bluish skin/lips
- When a fever lasts more than a few days
On the other hand, for minor fevers, you can often manage the symptoms at home.
What is the Best Way to Take a Baby’s Temperature?
The most accurate way to take a baby’s temperature is by using a rectal thermometer. I promise, it’s not as unpleasant as it sounds, and it’s the best way to ensure that your reading is correct!
A touch-less forehead thermometer is another option — though slightly less accurate, it is an easy way to get a reading without disturbing a sleeping baby. It will still give you an idea of the severity of the fever.
No matter what type of thermometer you use, choose a digital device for best results. Also, be sure to avoid mercury thermometers.
How Do I Bring My Baby’s Fever Down?
The following are ways that you can help temporarily reduce a fever at home.
1. Use FeverAll® Infants’ Strength Suppositories
Acetaminophen is one of the most recommended non-prescription medications for temporary fever reduction in infants and children. In my personal experience, I find it to be most effective compared to other formulas.
When stocking our medicine cabinet for the baby/toddler years, FeverAll Infants’ Strength Suppositories is our top choice for acetaminophen because it is:
- The only acetaminophen labeled for infants as young as 6 months of age
- Pre-measured, for an accurate dosage and no spills
- Helpful for babies that can’t or won’t take oral medications
- Free of parabens, high fructose corn syrup, artificial colors and preservatives
- Available in three strengths
- Contains fewer inactive ingredients than other infants’ fever reducers*
*vs. Infant’s Tylenol and Infants’ Motrin Oral Suspension
Important: Use FeverAll Infants’ Strength Suppositories as directed per package instructions. It is intended for children ages 6 to 36 months of age. Speak to your child’s healthcare provider for any specific fever or dosage questions.
FeverAll is available at Walmart, Target, Walgreens, and CVS.
Click here to learn more about FeverAll products!
2. Give them a Cool Bath
This is our go-to for helping manage a fever at home and soothing a fussy baby. There’s something relaxing about water…it works every time to cheer up a sick kiddo!
The other benefit to baths for managing fever is there is no limit! Medications can only be given at certain intervals, but you can give a bath anytime you need a little help keeping your baby cool, or simply as a distraction from feeling bad.
Once we gave our daughter three baths in a day — it really made her feel better!
The ideal water temperature is lukewarm — not too hot (we don’t want to increase body temperature), and not too cold (shivering will also raise body temperature).
3. Keep them Hydrated
When your baby or toddler isn’t feeling well, it’s especially important to make sure they are staying hydrated. If you breastfeed, continue to do so.
For toddlers, water is the best choice for drinks. However, to encourage liquid intake, you may also try:
- Juice
- A popsicle
- Milk
- Herbal tea with a spoonful of honey (be sure it is 100% caffeine free and no honey for children under 1 year)
- Broth
4. Let them Rest
Sleep is when our bodies go to work! If your baby is sleeping, you can usually wait until they wake on their own to give them their next dose of medicine.
The exception here is if your baby has a high fever and appears lethargic or listless. This is different than true sleepiness and is cause to call the doctor.
5. Change their Clothing
A baby or toddler with a fever does not need extra clothing or blankets. These additional layers can keep a fever from going down or even raise body temperature.
If your child has a fever, keep them in one layer of clothing. Remove any extra items. If they’re sleeping, one lightweight blanket is plenty.
I Almost Forgot…Extra Snuggles!
When your baby isn’t feeling well, sometimes what they need most are extra snuggles from mom or dad. Love is a powerful medicine too!
This year, I’ll be Fever Ready — with FeverAll and hugs from mama!
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