Home Remedies For Your Baby’s Fever & When To See A Doctor

Fever in babies can be quite frightening for parents and other caregivers, especially when it is higher than 40 degrees Celsius. It is often a sign your baby is fighting off an illness or infection. Your baby may also be reacting to a recent vaccination or hot weather.

Symptoms can be treated at home, provided your baby is above 3 months. Fevers in babies below this age should be immediately referred to a doctor.

Find a few home remedies to apply and when you should take your baby to the doctor.

*Check for signs of dehydration such as no tears while crying, fewer wet diapers and a dry mouth. If you notice these, give baby more breast milk to get him rehydrated. If baby is over 6 months, you may also give water.

*Give baby a lukewarm bath, paying particular attention to baby’s forehead and underarms. Make sure the water is safe for baby’s skin by checking its temperature on your wrist first. Dress baby in light clothing afterwards and make sure baby’s room is not too cool or hot.

READ ALSO: 7 Things You May Not Know About Fever in Babies

*You may also give baby a prescribed medication to reduce the fever. Note that appropriateness of fever-reducing medications depends on your baby’s age and dosage depends on baby’s weight. You should therefore avoid arbitrary purchases and administering of drugs.

Doctors usually recommend acetaminophen instead of ibuprofen for babies below 6 months. Medications containing ibuprofen such as Advil are said to be safe for babies from 6 months. Avoid giving baby aspirin to treat fever as it may cause a rare but fatal condition called Reye’s Syndrome.

*Avoid giving baby cold baths and applying ice or alcohol rubs as these may make baby start shivering.

READ ALSO: 15 Warning Signs You Should Never Ignore

Your baby should see a doctor if:

*He is below 3 months. Fevers in babies between 1 – 2 months is usually treated as an emergency, so, seek immediate help.

*Your baby’s fever persists for over 12 hours or keeps rising, he gets more cranky, fussy or uncomfortable despite doing the above.

*Shows signs of weakness, has difficulty breathing or refuses to eat.

*Has a seizure.

*Fever is accompanied by a rash.

*Has fewer wet diapers or sunken soft spot on his head. He may be severely dehydrated.

Your doctor will carry out tests to ascertain the underlying cause which may be a cold, malaria, heat stroke, urinary tract infection or pneumonia, and set a course of action to promptly ease your baby’s discomfort. Remember, safe prescription may be fatal.