1) If your baby is 3 months or younger, they are considered to have a fever at 100.4 degrees. If they get a fever of 100.4, call your doctor immediately. A fever this high in a baby that small can be very dangerous. Be aware that it is likely they will want you to go to the ER with your baby. They need to make sure everything is okay and that they don't have an infection. DO NOT give a baby under 3 months Tylenol without talking to your pediatrician first. This can alter their fever and give false indication of what the real problem is.
2) If your baby is 3 months or older, they are considered to have a fever at 101 degrees. The concern is more about how your baby is acting. If they are acting sick, most definitely take them in. If they are not acting sick but have a fever, use your judgement. There have been several times that Brody has had a 103 fever and we did not take him in. He was acting like he didn't feel good, but we felt like we could at least regulate the fever with Tylenol and Ibuprofen (after 6 months of age) for a night and see if he got any better. Sometimes he was better the next day and sometimes we were headed to the doctor. You do not need to wake your baby in the middle of the night just to give them medicine. I would go in and check on Brody to make sure he was not on fire with fever, but did not wake him up if he was not any hotter than when he went to bed. If they wake up and you want to give them more, you can if it has been long enough. If your child over 3 months and gives any signs of stiff neck, bad headache, seizure, sore throat, ear pain, foul smelling urine, burning with urination, is lethargic, or you just feel something is not right, call your pediatrician.
3) If your child is 3-6 months old, use only Tylenol (Acetaminophen). If they are older than 6 months, you can use Ibuprofen. Always talk to your doctor before the first time you use either. If your child has a fever that is above 102 and you cannot get it down and maintained at 102 or lower for at least 3 hours, I would call your doctor or go to the ER if it is after hours. To maintain the fever, give your baby Tylenol every 4 hours or Ibuprofen every 6. If your child is of age (at least 6 months), Ibuprofen is the best to use. It is a better fever reducer and pain reliever. It can only be given every 6 hours. If your child cannot wait until the next dosage, you can give them Tylenol as well. They can be given at the same time. If you do this, make sure you write the times down so that you give the second dose of both medicines at the right time. Be aware that Ibuprofen can cause some stomach aches and diarrhea so just be mindful of that and the amount of dosages you are giving your baby. NEVER use ASPIRIN to treat a child's fever. If your child cannot keep down the Tylenol, Feverall is a rectal acetaminophen that can be given.
4) The most accurate reading of temperature, especially in infants younger than 3 months, is rectally. They have thermometers that take the temperature in less than 5 seconds. Armpits, mouths, and foreheads are ways to take temperature as well, but they not as accurate. If you can, take it rectally. It won't hurt them. If you take it rectally, obviously make sure that thermometer is only used rectally.
5) Here's how you take a temperature rectally.
Step 1: Lubricate the end of the thermometer with a water-soluable lubrication.
Step 2: Lay the baby face down across your lap. Make sure to support their head. You make also lay them flat on a changing table.
Step 3: Press your palm of one hand firmly on your baby's lower back and hold them still.
Step 4: Use your other hand and insert the lubricated thermometer through their anal opening (about 1/2 inch to 1 inch - the thermometer usually has a ring around it that shows you how far to insert the thermometer). If you feel any resistance at all, do not push the thermometer in any farther.
Step 5: Steady the thermometer with on hand and cup your baby's bottom with the other.
Step 6: Wait until it beeps and remove slowly. Make sure you write down the time and temperature.
6) Comfort: A way to try and comfort your child is by giving them a lukewarm sponge bath for 10-20 minutes. Do this every 2 hours as you need to. Evidence shows it doesn't reduce fever but may help comfort your baby.
7) Giving your baby the right dosage of medicine is essential!!! Make sure you do Tylenol every 4 hours and Ibuprofen every 6 hours. I have listed the dosage amounts below.
Tylenol: 15 mg per kg per dose or 7mg per pound per dose (2.2 lbs = 1 kg)
Infant's Acetaminophen Concentrated drops: 80mg/0.8mL (found on box)
12-17 pounds (6-11 months): Give 1 dropperful or about 0.8mL
18-23 pounds (12-23 months): 1.5 dropperful (1.2 mL)
24-35 pounds (2-3 years): 2 dropperfuls (1.6 mL)
36-47 pounds (4-5 years): 3 dropperfuls (2.4 mL)
Children's AcetaminophenSuspension Liquid: 160mg/5mL (found on box)
12-17 pounds (6-11 months): .5 teaspoon
18-23 pounds (12-23 months): 0.75 teaspoon
24-35 pounds (2-3 years): 1 teaspoon
36-47 pounds (4-5 years): 1.5 teaspoons
Ibuprofen: 10mg per kg dose or 4.5 mg per pound per dose.
Infant's Ibuprofen Concentrated drops: 50mg/1.25mL (found on box)
12-17 pounds (6-11 months): 1 dropperful (1.25mL)
18-23 pounds (12-23 months): 1.5 dropperful (1.875 mL)
24-35 pounds (2-3 years): 2 dropperfuls (2.5 mL)
36-47 pounds (4-5 years): 3 dropperfuls (3.75 mL)
Children's Ibuprofen Suspension drops: 100mg/5mL
12-17 pounds (6-11 months): 0.5 teaspoon
18-23 pounds (12-23 months): 0.75 teaspoon
24-35 pounds (2-3 years): 1 teaspoon
36-47 pounds (4-5 years): 1.5 teaspoons
Here is a picture of an Infant's Ibuprofen box to show you were the dosage is listed. Below the words Ibuprofen Oral Suspension you will see 50mg per 1.25 mL. Those are the numbers you are looking for on a box to know your dosage.
*Do not take Acetaminophen (Tylenol) more than 5 times in 24 hours.
*Do not take Ibuprofen more than 4 times in 24 hours.
*Always check your medicine box and with your doctor before administering medication to your child.
Hope this helps and you can get that yucky fever down! Good luck!
Until next time!
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