I want to share these ways to reduce fever in your baby because I know how scary it is to feel like you don’t know how to help. When our kids aren’t feeling well, we want to do everything we can to make them feel better.
We have four kids, and I think it is safe to say that one of them has a stuffy nose at all times, not to mention fevers, strep throat, ear infections or the flu! (Yes, we have had all of those this year).
When I feel that they may have a fever, I take their temperature. This is usually followed by a call to my mom, a nurse, to ask: “Do I need to call the pediatrician?” (LOL- the beauty of having a nurse in the family!)
Do I need to call a doctor about our baby’s fever?
If you meet the following criteria… YOU NEED TO CALL A DOCTOR:
- If your child is younger than three months.
- If your baby is 3 to 5 months old and has a temperature of 101 degrees or higher.
- If your baby is 6 months old and has a temperature of 102 or higher.
- If the fever is accompanied by other symptoms, like trouble breathing, discoloration of the skin (purple/blue), or has had a fever for several days in a row.
If I don’t fall into one of those categories, I usually try to handle it at home. As soon as I feel our kids starting to heat up, I grab my thermometer. I used to just take a guess, but my mom is a nurse and she always reminds me that the doctor will ask for the exact number… so I try to take their temperature as soon as I’m concerned.
How Do I Get an Accurate Reading?
If your baby or toddler is young, check their temperature using a rectal thermometer. I know – no one likes this, but your doctor will be grateful that you have the most accurate reading.
What can I do to reduce a baby’s fever?
When your child is too young to take oral liquid medication (or if they won’t take it), it is important to have some alternatives.
NOTE: I am certainly not a doctor, so be sure to check with your doctor if your child has a fever.
5 Ways to Reduce a Fever
1-Use FeverAll Suppository if your baby is over 6 months old
If your baby will not take oral medication (I’ve had my fair share of our babies spitting it right back out), a suppository will work. Acetaminophen is one of the most recommended nonprescription medications by healthcare professionals.
2- A luke-warm bath is helpful.
The water will evaporate from her skin and cool her don (bringing her temperature down). Do not use cold water, because you do not want them to get a chill or shiver (this causes their temperature to rise). Do not use hot water, either. Make it “just right”. As the lukewarm water begins to evaporate from your baby’s skin, it will cool her body & lower her temperature.
3. Offer frozen treats and extra fluids.
You are cooling the body from the inside out. Our kids love popsicles when they are sick. Ice cream is great, too. Even yogurt is a good solution if your baby will eat it. I like to give our kids these frozen greek yogurt pops that I make.
4. I know that your child will be cold, but don’t overdress them in warm clothing.
Keep them in normal clothes for that season. I would offer LOTS of snuggles to keep them warm.
You may also want to use a fan. Do not blow it directly onto your child, but keep it in the room to avoid the room getting stuffy or hot. You do not want your child to be hot or cold.
5. Give your child lots of hugs
Hug them, hold them, snuggle them. When our firstborn son was only an infant, I read that a mother’s touch has a similar effect as medication. So just rock your baby, sing to your baby, rub your baby’s head. Do all of the things that come so naturally to us. Babies don’t keep, so just try to be there for your baby while you can…
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Raylin Sutter says
My son (he’s four) has had a few high fevers that we’ve sought medical care for within the last six months. At first, whenever he’s sick we do all of these things. He loves it when I cuddle with him on our giant bean bag chair watching one of his favorite movies and eating popsicles.
Becky (Your Modern Family) says
Aww… 🙂
HealthDear says
I have to agree nothing is more important than physical touch for a sick child. Little care and loads of love is very much needed.
Kathryn says
Does skin to skin work to reduce toddler fever? Or girl is 2 never does anything the easy way her defers are 102 at the low end 104, 105 at the high end and her body is a timer for meds when ill. If her temp is 104 by three 8h mark for advil she will be right back at the high 104. It would be nice to reduce it a bit before it climbs back to the starting point.
We do Find the baths help.
Sam says
I have heard that putting the head of your child on your chest brings the fever down 1 degree every hour or so and it seems to work even now that my daughter is 5
Susan Geoge says
Thanks for sharing, measuring fever of my 6 month old baby was really difficult. Will surely try this
Mikey says
Great blog. Thanks for sharing. I agree about giving the baby physical touch than over overdressing them with warm clothing.
Becky says
hello I am Becky from Ghana and my sons temperature is a bit high when I checked it was 38.6 this morning can I say its a fever?
Becky (Your Modern Family) says
I would suggest contacting a doctor.
Racial says
Nothing scares me more than my babies being sick. Love the natural remedies. I’ve also read that when baby is sick you should try skin on skin, apparently moms temp can help to regulate and bring baby’s temp down. Not sure it works but I always do it.
Asgar Ali Hospital says
Thanks for sharing! it’s really works!
K says
My son is 9 months and temp was 103 last night and 101 now what do i need to do
Becky (Your Modern Family) says
I hope he’s feeling better! Sorry that I didn’t see this sooner.
Shruti says
I wish all concerned moms will read your post and take notes. Choosing the best for your child should be utmost important.
Bianca says
I would like to say a huge THANK YOU!!! . I came across across your bloh while i was looking for ways to break fever a fever online because i was desperate my lottle one was suffering with fever for almost 4 days now. Well i tried the technique skin to skin and it worked like a miracle! His fever has broken and he’s a little bit sweaty now but i know now he will be felling better today thanks to your helpful tip.
Thank you mom to mom love ❤❤❤
Bianca says
Sorry for the errors on my comment its 1:42 am and im exhausted thank you so much for your help.🙂