So this week I’m writing to you while taking care of three very sick kiddos. First my son had a fever for two days, then my two other girls caught it as well. I’m infested by sick kids and it’s hard! When kids have a fever is so important to quickly bring it down. I have 7 super effective ways to immediately treat and lower your child’s fever!
When I took my oldest daughter’s temperature, it read 103!! Yes, I was going to cry because I was so scared. I know that having a high fever in children is not good!. So, I went into protective and mama mode right away! I had to act fast and luckily I did, I brought her fever down from 103 to 100 in minutes!
When a child gets sick, as parents we worry and we want to make them feel so much better. It effects us even though we’re not the ones sick. That’s why I had to share with you these helpful ways to treat your child’s fever.
What temperature is considered a fever?
If your child has a temperature of 100 degrees Fahrenheit or more the your child has a fever.
Please be aware that a high fever in young children may cause febrile seizure
When to know if your child has a fever? What are the symptoms?
There are many ways to know if your child has a fever. You will notice these changes:
- Your child feels weak or tired
- Is not as active or talkative as she or he usually is
- Wants to sleep or lay down
- Severe headache
- Feels hot to the touch
- sore throat
- shivering
- diarrhea
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What are the causes of a fever?
There are many reasons as to why your child may develop a fever, here are some of the most common ones:
- Infection (ear, throat, etc)
- Cold virus
- Certain medication
- Bacterial infection
- viral infection
- teething in babies
Please note: It is important to know that children under the age of 2 cannot take over the counter medicine unless directed by his/her doctor. Please consult your child’s pediatrician first 🙂
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If you want to know the easy and most effective ways to lower your child’s fever or body temperature, you’re in the right place! Coming from a mom of three who has been there several of times!
7 ways to immediately treat and lower your child’s fever
1.Give your child medication
This is the first thing that you have to do if your child’s fever is more than 100 degrees Fahrenheit! You can give your child an anti-fever medication that contains acetaminophen or ibuprofen. for example, Children’s motrin or children’s tylenol. Do not give your child aspirin as it has been linked to fatal disease Reye Syndrome!(via. Stanfordschildrens)
Always follow the instructions on the medicine or what your child’s pediatrician has directed for you to do. Make sure you also read the age requirement and dosage.
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2. Bathe in Lukewarm water
Bathing your child in lukewarm water can significant decrease your child’s fever. Lukewarm water means that the water is neither cold or hot. It’s room temperature.
I actually did this with my oldest daughter ( my mom and aunt gave me this tip) and I saw her fever go down within minutes. Almost going back to her normal body temperature, I was so relieved!
3. Use cold washcloths
Placing cold washcloths on your child’s forehead, neck or armpit can also decrease your child’s fever. Is an easy and super effective way to reduce your child’s fever. Even though you’re going to be going back and forth, making sure the washcloths are cold. It’s so worth it!
My husband and I, always use this trick on all three of our children. It works! You can also use a fever reducer head patch, like this one!
4. Rub Vicks VapoRub
This may be an old wives’ tale, but according to my mom and aunts, applying Vicks VapoRub under the feet can help reduce the fever and cold virus symptoms. Hey! I go with the flow here and I have actually done this. Because when your kids are sick, you try about everything, am I right?
I love Vicks VapoRub and so I do it all of the time when my kids have a cold or a fever. You may have to try this one out and see if it works for you too!
5. Wear light clothes
Eliminate any excess clothing because it will just trap in the heat and can cause higher fevers. Wearing light clothes will make your child feel more comfortable. It also helps to “not trap” the body heat inside. If your child has extra layers of clothing, please remove them.
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6. Have your child stay Hydrated
When your child is sick with a fever, it can cause your child to have dehydration. Which is not good for the immune system. Make sure your child stays hydrated by drinking plenty of fluids (water, juice). This is going to help your child’s body cool down and also keeps your child hydrated and feeling more like herself again.
Having this Natural Pediatric Electrolyte Solution helps as well.
7. Monitor your child
When your child has a high fever and you’re trying out all of these tips, you have to still keep an eye out on your child. Fevers can quickly escalate if you’re not monitoring it and you do not want this. if it does happen, best thing to do is to drive to the emergency room.
You can check your child’s temperature with this thermometer (the one I use!) every 30 minutes until you see that the fever is gradually going down, yay! Then you can check every hour until the fever has completely gone down.
When should you call your doctor?
You should call your doctor if your baby is younger than 2 years old. This depends on how high is the fever. Also, since your child is younger than the recommended age of over the counter medication, your child’s pediatrician has to prescribe you the medication.
If your child shows signs of:
- Difficulty breathing
- Can’t stay awake
- Has patches on skin (purple)
- Is in pain
- vomiting
- stiff neck
- rash
- febrile seizures
This may be of concern and should immediately call 911 or visit your closes ER. Remember to always consult with your child’s pediatrician if you have any concerns.
Treating a fever in children, no matter the age can make any parent super nervous and scared. I know I always am! But, do not worry, if you know what to do to treat your child’s fever, you’ll be okay!
These tips has helped me lower my children’s fevers immediately and so I wanted to share them with you! I want you to know that even if you give your child fever reducer medication, you can still apply these tips. The faster you can reduce your child’s fever the better!
I hope you found these tips on how to treat fever in children helpful. Hopefully it can help your little one (or big kid) feel so much better and can soon be fever free!
