My Baby Has A Fever. What Can I Do?

You've probably heard that a fever is your baby's natural defense against infection, but it can still be scary when your baby's temperature goes up. As a parent, the best thing you can do is keep your baby comfortable and control your baby's temperature. These tips will help.

Keep Your Baby Cool

When your baby has a higher-than-normal temperature, one of the best ways that you can help your baby is to keep him or her cool. This will help prevent the fever from going up, and may even bring the temperature down slightly. These tips will help you keep your baby cool.

• Run ceiling fans. Run your ceiling fans, or portable fans, on the lowest setting to keep air circulating in the room. Don't allow the room where your baby is to get stuffy and hot. Open windows or run climate control if necessary. 
• Dress your baby in light clothes. Put your baby in a pair of cool, light pajamas to prevent your baby from getting hot. 
• Give your baby a lukewarm bath. Lukewarm water will cool your baby while preventing him or her from getting too cold. Don't allow the water to get too cold during the bath. 

Nurse Often

Nursing can be a comfort to your baby, even if your baby isn't hungry. Nursing also helps keep your baby hydrated, which is important when your baby is sick. Nurse your baby whenever he or she is hungry, and offer to nurse at frequent intervals while your baby is awake. 

Use Infant Medication

Many baby doctors will recommend acetaminophen to reduce a fever. For children younger than 3 months old, speak with your baby's pediatrician before administering any medicine at all. Follow the dosage chart and instructions on the back of the box that your baby's acetaminophen came in. Never give your baby more medicine than the doctor or medicine manufacturer recommends. 

Know When to Seek Help

Stay in close contact with your baby's doctor while your baby has a fever. If your baby's fever is low-grade (under 101 degrees), your baby's pediatrician may recommend that you keep your baby at home. Fevers over 105 degrees are considered dangerous and should be treated by a medical professional right away. For babies who are very young, lower fevers may still be dangerous. When you realize that your baby has a fever, contact a baby doctor at Mundelein Pediatrics or a similar organization.