Dealing
With Infant Fevers And Colds
by Sarah Veda
When your baby has a fever or cold, your first urge is to run
right to the pediatrician. But, mild colds and fevers are
common, and often don’t require a visit to the doctor,
just
some at home management. Here are some techniques to help
manage colds and fever at home, and some information to help
you know when to call the doctor.
First,
most doctors don’t consider a fever under 100°F
a fever
at all, unless your baby is under two months old, in which case
you should seek medical treatment with any fever. Otherwise,
as
long as the fever doesn’t go above 102°F, you need
not treat it
unless it is making your baby uncomfortable or unable to sleep. However,
any fever which reaches 105° rectally, or a fever
accompanied by signs of dehydration (infrequent urination,
sunken fontanel, dry lips), or a feverish baby who has a stiff
neck, is limp or has purple spots on the skin, should be
treated by a professional immediately.
To
treat a mild fever, try keeping your baby cool, using
compresses or a tepid bath. Dress her loosely – that old wives
tale about keeping them bundled up is just that- an old wives
tale. Feed her lots of fluids, and keep a watch on her. But,
try to avoid the use of over the counter medications, unless
your baby is unable to sleep. Fever is the body’s way of
fighting infection, so, when possible, it’s best to let it do
its job.
For
minor colds, the best treatment is rest. However, your
child may be unable to rest comfortably unless you treat the
cold symptoms. A vaporizer can do wonders to relieve
congestion, as can vapor treatments in the bath. But, if your
child is really uncomfortable, using an over the counter cold
medicine is fine. For dosage guidelines, follow your doctor’s
recommendations, or those on the bottle, but go by weight, not
age.
Colds
should resolve themselves in a week or so, but if they do
not, look for signs of an ear infection. These can include
unexplained crying, especially when lying down, tugging the
ears, or tossing and turning while trying to sleep. If you
notice these symptoms, take your child to the doctor. Ear
infections can be very painful, and are often hard to recognize
in young children.
Talk
to your pediatrician regarding his recommendations for
treating colds and fevers, and when he believes you should call
or come in. But, trust your instincts, and don’t hesitate to
call anytime you believe there is a real problem.
Sarah
is a 41 year old wife and mother of two boys and one girl.
She spent many years as a manager in the
corporate world, and gave it up to be a stay at home mom. Go to
http://www.infantresources.com now and get her incredible baby
minicourse – absolutely free.