
Written by Editorial Team
Fever in babies is often scary for parents. Usually, most fevers are harmless, are caused by mild infections and will not hurt your baby. Some babies get a fever after having their vaccinations. In any case, the onset of fever can be trying for mothers, and they may be worried about how to bring down a fever in babies.
Babies that are younger than six months should see a doctor when they have an illness. Many new mothers may wonder how to deal with fever in babies. For any fever in a newborn that is higher than 100.4° F, you should report to the child’s health care provider as older children can be treated at home.
In This Article
If you think your baby has a fever, it is best to check their temperature with a thermometer. To get a fast and accurate reading, you may use a digital thermometer. This will help you work out whether you need to get medical advice.
So what exactly is fever in babies? Depending on how you measure the temperature, here is what is considered a fever-
Fever in babies generally indicates that the body is fighting an illness, and the immune system is functioning. Causes of fever in babies may include:
However, the baby’s body temperature can increase for many reasons other than underlying health issues. For example, nonstop crying for quite some time, sitting in the hot sun for some time, etc. can increase your baby’s body temperature. However, none of these things ends up in a fever. Fever is considered as a good sign because a child’s immune system is working, and the body is trying to heal itself.
Symptoms of fever in the baby may include:
These signs can provide important clues as to the cause of the fever. Some children may feel fine when they have a fever.
In newborn babies and babies less than 2 months, old you will need to see the doctor as soon as you notice a high fever.
For babies older than 6 months, you must see a doctor if your baby is running high temperatures that don’t seem to resolve even after two days.
You should get in touch with the doctor when your baby experiences the following situations.
Above all, a mother’s gut instincts are the greatest indicator that something is wrong. If you don’t feel right or comfortable about your baby’s fever, don’t hesitate to see the doctor immediately.
Here are a few situations where you should immediately rush your baby to the emergency.
There are different methods of bringing down fever in a baby depending on the cause of the fever and how severe the temperature is. No matter what age your baby is, it is always recommended to see the pediatrician first before you start your baby on any medications for fever. The doctor will examine the baby, understand the baby’s condition and prescribe the dosage of medication accordingly. The doctor may also prescribe blood, urine, or stool tests to confirm the source of infection.
Here are a few ways to bring down a fever in babies.
A Febrile convulsion is a convulsion that occurs when a child has a fever. It would occur during the first day of the fever. Children between the age of 6 months to 5 years might experience febrile seizures. Most seizures stop on their own. You should take your baby or child to the doctor as soon as possible after the seizure. It is important to determine the cause of the fever.
When a baby or a child has a febrile convulsion, they become unconscious, their eyes may roll back, and part of their body may jerk. If your baby is undergoing a febrile convulsion, do not put anything inside their mouth. Lie your baby on their side with their head in a neutral position. Stay with your baby during the convulsion. If the seizure does not stop within five minutes, call an ambulance.
Babies may refuse to eat or drink when they have a fever. This is a normal body response and as a parent you should not panic if this happens. Here are a few tips on what you can give your baby when they have a fever.
It may not be possible to prevent fever in babies since babies have an immature immune system and can catch fevers easily. In fact, some doctors believe that a baby or child’s immune system develops only when they are exposed to viruses and catch fevers. Fever is a sign that your baby’s body is fighting infections, which, in turn, will help develop their immune system.
Here are a few ways to prevent fever in babies.
Fevers are a routine occurrence in babies. In most cases, fevers are not very high and your baby should recover quickly under medical supervision. There are some cases, though, where you may need to rush your baby to the hospital on a priority basis. Do not neglect fevers that reach 104 F as such high fevers can often result in fits or febrile convulsions. You can also talk to the doctor and have syrups handy for emergencies where your baby may suddenly develop a fever and you may not be able to visit a hospital.
Yes, it is ok to use a fan in fever for babies, especially when the room is hot and sweaty. It is important to keep the baby in a comfortable temperature that is neither too hot nor too cold. Also, it is important to maintain proper air circulation in the room when the baby has a fever.
If your baby is younger than 3 months of age, it would be ideal to check the temperature once every two hours. For older babies, you can check the temperature once every 4 to 6 hours, especially if your baby is running high fever.
Though the exact reasons for a fever spiking at night are not understood, one theory suggests that the human body naturally suppresses cortisol and adrenalin at night. Due to this the body temperature is higher at night than during the day. The minimal levels of cortisol and adrenalin cause the natural immune cells to work harder to fight the infection. The inflammatory responses due to this process cause the body temperature to get higher resulting in fevers spiking at nights.
With a rich experience in pregnancy and parenting, our team of experts create insightful, well-curated, and easy-to-read content for our to-be-parents and parents at all stages of parenting.Read more.
Date Syrup for Babies – When to Introduce and Top Benefits
Symmetric Tonic Neck Reflex in Babies – What is it and Steps to Test it
Positive Coombs Test in Newborns – What it is, When it is Done and How to Take Care
Top 7 Tips to Bond With Your IVF Baby
Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia in Babies – What is it, Types, and Complications
Port Wine Stain Birthmarks in Babies – Causes, Symptoms & Treatment
Get regular updates, great recommendations and other right stuff at the right time.