Fever in children: remedies and advices

When a newborn baby has got fever, mother and father are very concerned and go into panic and it remains the most common concern for which parents bring their child to the emergency department. Fever is a natural reaction of the body caused by viral or bacterial infections. Fever has traditionally been defined as a rectal temperature of 38° C and the increase in the body temperature stops germs from growing and develop, increasing the efficiency of the immune system. Therefore, if a baby shows an increase in body temperature, there is no need of concern: his/her immune system is just trying to fight against possible infections and most of the time, after a couple of days, the fever goes away. Seeking medical advice is not necessary all the time, but only when the temperature is extremely high, for more than 3 days and it shows other symptoms such as respiratory difficulties, unconsciousness, dehydration, purple or red rash.

How should I take my child’s temperature?

On the market you can find many different kinds of thermometer. If you are using the classical glass thermometer make sure that it is reinforced to avoid it from braking. The digital thermometer is very different: it is safe and resistant in case of accidental falls. Anyway, they are both very precise, suitable for children and not so expensive. Ear, skin and infra-red thermometer are much more expensive.

In order to get the most accurate result, it is advisable to take the temperature rectally (especially if it is a young baby) or underneath the armpit (if the child is a bit older) but in both cases, it is important to buy a specific thermometer for children. Depending on how you take the temperature and the kind of thermometer you use, the result changes too: from the rectal and ear temperature, you have to subtract 0,5° C.

What to do to lower the temperature

If the baby’s temperature is above 38,5° C underneath the armpit or 39° C rectally, it is necessary to give anti-fever drugs. The most common drug used to lower the body temperature is paracetamol, available as a syrup or suppositories. The dosage and the way of consumption must be advised by the paediatrician. If the temperature does not go above 39°C and the baby does not show particular discomfort or worrying symptoms, usually there is no need of any pharmacological therapy and fever goes away spontaneously in a couple of days.

If you do not give any medicine to your baby, however there are some remedies to help your baby feel better and reduce body temperature. The main remedy is to make your baby drink plenty of water to avoid dehydration that usually appears with dry lips: a lack of urination and tears can also indicate dehydration. It is possible to fill the baby bottle with water, fruit juices or tea. Further more, do not cover your baby too much in order to let the body spreading heat. In such a case, it would be better to dress him/her with light clothing and cover him/her only if he/she starts to shiver.
Even though it is not strictly necessary that the baby remains in his/her cot, it is advisable to prevent him/her from doing any physical activities which might increase the body temperature and discomfort as well as the energy the body needs to fight against the infection.

With regard to the remedies to lower the body temperature, often bath sponges with lukewarm water are very useful. But not everybody knows that bath sponges with lukewarm water have to be done only after the consumption of fever reducers, otherwise the decrease of the body temperature is only temporary and after awhile, the temperature increases again. If you need to bath your child with sponges and lukewarm water, you only need to put some water inside a bucket, wet the sponge and gently sponge down your baby’s body.
Do not do any other physical treatment to lower the temperature as they may have only temporary effects and cause discomfort. Attention: never ever use bath sponges with alcohol! Unfortunately some people still believe that it may bring a positive effect but, in reality, it can only cause further problems if the baby inhales the fumes.