So my little guy has a fever and we are treating it with Tylenor and Motrin. We are pushing liquids and doing cool baths.
Anyone have any other ideas to help get it down? He's not terrible, just won't sleep well since he's congested. But, my question is that I have seen several people say on here that we shouldn't try to keep their fevers down because the body is doing it for a reason, but I don't really understand why. Could some of you more "natural" mom's explain it to me?
Thanks so much! I just want to do what is best for him.
Thanks for the info! He is doing much better now. He is still sick with the sniffles. I was in bed with this 2 days, so I know it doesn't feel good.
Just for more info: his normal temp runs under 97 so when he got to 100.8 I was concerned. I do the same thing, so when I hit 99 I am aching from the low grade fever that most don't even feel. He also has a Scoliosis brace, which he couldn't wear since it would raise his temp even more, and he doesn't feel pain like a normal kid, but the neurologist said that since he does feel it she isn't worried. But, he is almost 2 and nonverbal, so I really dont' know how he was feeling exactly, its not like he can tell me.
Edited to Add: He is doing much better today, his fever is all gone and he slept through the night pretty good. Today he is quieter than normal, but nothing concerning. His cough and sniffles are pretty low grade too, so yippee! I am hoping we are over the hump of this sickness. I want to be cavlier and say bring on the next one, but really, please don't!
Put a vaporizer with liquid Vicks in he room. That will help the congestion and help him sleep. Before doing anything, ask your ped.
Agree with Dawn.
For my own kids, I do not medicate for anything under 101.2. It is good for the body to fight whatever they are fighting via fever.
Now if it goes above that they take medication.
If it lasts longer then 3 days I call the doctor.
You want to play it by how he is acting. A fever is going to make them not want to be up to the normal activities. But, you will know your son.
Make sure you push fluids in any form he will take them in. Popsicle, water, gatorade....that sort of thing:)
Why don't you talk to your pediatrician about this?
I personally was told by our doctor that it is better to not immediately treat a low grade fever. The fever reaction increases the body's natural immune function and will help kids get over an infection sooner.
We have three criteria for when to treat:
- how high is the temperature. During the day I don't usually treat a temp under 102 if my DD feels otherwise fine (see below). Towards the evening I will give medication so it does not get out of hand overnight (if the temp is over 101 F, under 101 F I will watch and wait).
- is there pain? If so we treat the pain with tylenol/motrin (headache, ear ache...)
- how is kiddo feeling? If she is happily playing and bouncing around I will not treat a fever under 102. If she is sickly, tired, feeling awful - I will give her medication even for a low grade fever (under 101F).
That's what we were told by our ped and we agree with that approach. Not all children are the same, some kids have pre-existing conditions or are prone to seizures in which case a more aggressive treatment is required.
I would suggest that you talk to your pediatrician, who knows your child and his health history and possibly other health factors he may have and listen to his recommendation.
Good luck.
Rather than listen to people on the internet who don't know your child, haven't examined your child, and can't possibly diagnose your child, instead, take him to the doctor. Yes, the body fights infection and viruses by using fever, but fever also stresses the body a lot. Listen to your doctor's advice about your own child.
If you go by "natural" mom's advice and something bad happened to your son, you would never forgive yourself.
Dawn
My daughter was sick a few months back and the doctor did not want to give her medicine so her body could learn to fight off the cold herself. The doctor said this method is better for when she's older. I know it is hard but if your baby isn't better by monday I would get her to the doctors again.
A fever is the body's way of slowing the growth of invading organisms thus making it easier for the immune sytem to fight the invaders. By treating the fever you are allowing the bacteria to take hold. Even the drug manufacturers (Tylenol, Motrin) say to only treat the fever if it is making the child uncomfortable. As long as the child is able to sleep, and is not uncomfortable when awake, let the fever do its job and give the child lots of liquids.
A high fever, that is over 103 is reason to see the doctor and to take a bit of motrin or tylenol. Anything under that is not dangerous and there is no need to take anything expect maybe at night to help your child sleep. Keep them hydrated with water, coconut water, or diluted juice and tea. No sports drinks, they are junk. The cool mist humidifier is a must, we use it everynight to keep them membranes lubricated. Helps to treat as well as prevent colds. As for baths, just a lukewarm bath is good, not cool and definetely not cold. Also, light blankets and lots of cuddles.
I treat fevers that are over 100.5* but not under. My husband's entire side of his paternal family has a very, very high incidence of febrile seizures and his younger brother had them so terribly bad it caused severe brain damage that got progressively worse starting when he was a year old. My husband had a febrile seizure as a baby as well, but no brain damage and no seizures after the single incident.
My middle daughter has had uncontrollable fevers since she was 2 weeks old, and she does have Seizure Disorder (co-morbid with her Autism) so we take fevers very seriously here.
I may get some flack for this, but oh well. I have done tons of research on this. Fevers are good because it's the immune systems natural function to fighting off infection. If you suppress it, you make the illness stick around longer. As long as your child will drink, they'll be fine. My son use to have febrile seizures when his fevers would spike too fast. Personally, my research has lead me to believe that vaccine injured kids are the ones who have these types of seizures. My two youngest have had no vaccines and never have any of these problems that my oldest had. My daughter has had up to a 105 degree fever twice in her life and the first time it lasted for 4 days, and the second time it lasted for 3 days. A naturopath will tell you that 105 is ok as long as they take fluids and a pediatrician will tell you not to let it get above 102. 102 to me is a low grade. My daughter was fine and I watched her closely. I only gave tylenol at night if she couldn't sleep. Hope this helps.
For the reasons stated by the PPer and because it keeps them feeling a little sick so it encourages them to rest. If they get some Tylenol or Motrin they feel a little better so they start running around and playing. I would rather they rest and let their bodies fight the sickness.
You didn't mention how high the fever was...
I agree with the others. I don't usually give medicine unless the fever is close to 101. I also only rotate Tylenol and Motrin if the fever isn't being kept down by the current dose (i.e. goes back above 101 after 3 - 4 hours)
When you do the cool baths, I do tempid baths. If the water is too cold, it is not helpful (unless the fever is up to like 104)
Don't forget to add lots of hugs and snuggle time as part of the treatment :)
My dear sweet mom, Yes being it's true to a point the fever does help if not real warm (mild not over 104 for safety caution lets say) first thing never leave him down to t-shirt and diaper as the body temp can go both ways with out warning, One thing you may try is also rub his teeth gums with baby ambesol or orajel, maybe he has teeth cutting in back starting your not aware of happened to me for my son twice between 2mo. and 4mo. of age, or a you can rub small amount of red wine on teeth. It all will help relax him to help the fever and no it will not hurt him done my baby with his pediatrician advice. Being he's congested bath him in the baby bath soap for soothing and calming him not sure of the name I believe its made by Vick's in the baby bath isle, to calms &relaxes him after so when dressed a little Vick's baby rub to the chest and upper back shoulders. Hope this works and you get rest mine are now 33yrs -23- & 16 yrs been there experienced it all. YOUR ONE NATURAL MOM S.,
at his age, you need to treat his fever. he could easily get dehydrated natural or non-natural approach moms should say the same thing.
