Fever can be caused by a variety of things – a virus, a bacterial infection, or even the common cold – and make a baby feel uncomfortable. Fever is the body's natural reaction to fight infection or disease. Fever is characterized by a temporary increase in body temperature, which may be cause for concern if the temperature is 39.4°C or more. For babies, sometimes a fever can be a sign of a more serious illness, so make sure that the baby is taken very well. As a parent or caregiver, you must take some mandatory steps to relieve the discomfort your baby feels when they have a fever.
Step
Part 1 of 3: Cure Fever at Home
Step 1. Meet the needs of the baby's body fluids
Provide enough fluids to meet the needs of the baby so that he does not become dehydrated. Fever can be caused by excessive sweating, which causes more fluid to be lost than gained, leading to dehydration. Ask your doctor about giving an electrolyte solution such as Pedialyte as a supplement to formula.
- Don't give your baby fruit juice or apple juice, or at least dilute the juice first to fifty percent water.
- Ice cream sticks or gelatin can also be an option.
- Avoid caffeinated drinks because they can trigger urination and cause loss of body fluids.
- Allow the baby to eat the food in the usual pattern, but be aware that the baby may not have the usual appetite when he has a fever. Try to give plain foods such as white bread, crusty bread, pasta, and oatmeal.
- Babies who are still consuming breast milk are advised to only consume breast milk. Meet the needs of the baby's body fluids by giving breast milk in large quantities.
- Don't force your baby to eat foods that he refuses to eat.
Step 2. Let the baby rest in a comfortable space
Do not allow the baby to move excessively or his body temperature will increase. It would be better if you let the baby rest in a room with a temperature of 21°C to 23°C.
- Do not keep the heating machine running so that the baby does not overheat.
- Likewise for air conditioning. Turn on the air conditioner sufficiently so that the baby does not get cold and makes his body temperature rise.
Step 3. Put light clothes on the baby
Thick clothes can increase the baby's body temperature. Clothes that are too thick trap heat, and that makes the baby suffer more from the fever he has.
Wear comfortable clothes on the baby, then cover the body with a light blanket if the room temperature is too cold or the baby looks cold. Adjust the room temperature as necessary to keep the baby comfortable
Step 4. Bathe baby with lukewarm water
Water that is not too hot and not too cold can relieve fever in babies.
- If you are planning to bathe your baby in lukewarm water, allow your baby to take the medicine before doing so so that the body temperature does not rise after the bath.
- Do not bathe him with cold water, ice water, and also do not rub his body with alcohol. These things can make the baby cold and make the situation worse.
Step 5. Give medicine to baby
Be careful when you give medications such as Tylenol, Advil, or Motrin to your baby. Read the label on the medicine package carefully to make sure that the dose given is really appropriate for the baby's age. It would be better if you consult first with a health professional before giving medicine to the baby.
- Paracetamol (Tylenol) and ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) are usually recommended by doctors or nurses for babies who have a fever.
- If the baby is under three months of age, contact the doctor before giving the medicine.
- Do not give the drug more than the recommended dose because there is a possibility that the drug can injure the liver or kidneys, or even have other fatal effects.
- Paracetamol can be taken every four to six hours, and ibuprofen can be taken every six to eight hours as long as the baby is over six months old.
- Make sure that you always monitor the type of medicine, the amount given, and when the medicine is given to ensure that the dose given to the baby is not excessive.
- If the child's temperature is below 38.9°C, try not to give the baby any medicine, unless the doctor or nurse recommends it.
- Never give aspirin to babies because it has the potential to trigger a rare, but fatal, disorder called Reye's syndrome.
Part 2 of 3: Getting Medical Attention
Step 1. Check if there is an increase in body temperature in the baby
Even a low-grade fever can signal a serious infection in the baby. Therefore, depending on the age of the baby, a significant increase in temperature is a sign that you should take the baby to be examined by a doctor.
- For newborns up to three months old with a body temperature of 38°C and above, you should seek advice from a doctor.
- If the baby is more than three months old with a body temperature of 38.9°C, and the fever has been present for longer than a day, call the doctor.
- If in doubt, call your doctor just in case.
Step 2. Call the doctor
If your baby has a fever, but can play and eat normally, there is nothing to worry about. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends calling a doctor if a baby is under three months old and has a temperature of 38°C and above. If your baby is older than three months and has a fever for more than 24 hours, followed by other symptoms, such as cough, earache, loss of appetite, vomiting, or diarrhea, call your doctor or visit an emergency care clinic.
- If your baby doesn't seem comfortable when the fever subsides, seems irritable, has neck stiffness, or doesn't cry when he cries, call the doctor as soon as possible.
- If your baby has other specific health problems, such as heart, immune, or sickle cell disease, make sure you call your doctor when your baby has a fever.
- Call the doctor if the baby has a fever for more than 48 hours and the baby's bowel movements are reduced, or if the baby has excessive diarrhea or nausea. These things may indicate that the disease suffered by the baby needs to be checked.
- Call the doctor if the baby's temperature is 40.5°C or higher, or the fever has persisted for more than three days.
- Call 119 if baby has a fever and looks dizzy, can't walk, has trouble breathing, or if baby's lips, tongue, or fingernails turn blue.
Step 3. Prepare all the necessary things before visiting the doctor
If the baby requires medical attention, make sure that you carry all the necessary information to ensure that the baby is properly cared for. You should also be prepared to receive any news that the doctor may give you later.
- Record all the information related to the baby's fever: when the fever started, when was the last time you checked the baby's temperature, and also tell the doctor about other symptoms that the baby has.
- Write down a list of medications, vitamins, and supplements the baby is taking, as well as the things that cause allergies in the baby (if any).
- Think of things to ask your doctor about, such as the cause of the fever; the type of inspection that needs to be carried out; what kind of best approach is needed to care for the baby; does the baby need to take medicine?
- Be prepared to answer all the doctor's questions: when did the symptoms start, did the baby take medication, and if so, when and what did you do to try to relieve the fever in the baby.
- Be prepared to accept the fact that the baby may need to be hospitalized for further observation and examination if the fever is severe or the baby is under three months old.
Part 3 of 3: Preventing Fever
Step 1. Wash your hands
In any situation, try to keep your hands clean because hands are the part of the body that comes into direct contact with germs and transfers them to other parts of the body.
- Wash your hands especially before eating, after using the toilet, wiping or playing with animals, using public transport, or visiting sick people.
- Make sure that you wash your hands thoroughly - the palms and backs of your hands, between your fingers, under your nails, and do so for at least twenty seconds with warm water and soap.
- Make sure that you always carry hand sanitizer with you when traveling or when you cannot wash your hands with soap and water.
Step 2. Don't touch the "T" zone
The T zone consists of the forehead, nose, and chin, which form the letter "T" on the front of the face. The nose, mouth, and eyes contained in the T section are the main points for viruses and bacteria to enter the body and cause infection.
Prevent discharge from the "T" zone: cover your mouth when you cough, cover your mouth and nose when you sneeze, then wipe your nose when you have a runny nose (then wash your hands!)
Step 3. Don't share used items
Try not to share cups, water bottles, or eating utensils with babies because germs can be transferred easily through these things, especially from parents to babies, who haven't developed a strong enough immune system.
Don't suck on the pacifier to clean it, then put it back in the baby's mouth. Germs from adults are strong for babies, and can cause illness easily
Step 4. Do not take the baby out of the house when he is sick
Keep the baby at home and do not take him to the nursery when he is sick or has a fever to prevent spreading the disease to other children. If you learn that a friend or family member is sick, keep the baby away from these people until they recover.
Step 5. Make sure that the baby gets the immunizations as scheduled
By following your child's immunization schedule-including the annual flu shot-you can reduce your baby's tendency to get sick.
