For a new parent, an infant’s first fever can be a worry as they don’t know how to get rid of it. You might not like the medication as an option to reduce the fever in the newborn because of its side effects. Fever can result in serious health condition if it becomes intense, consequently, you may need quick medication in such a situation. Mild or moderate fever, however, can be reduced at home.
If your baby appears to be uncomfortable or he acts differently, then immediately Using a thermometer to test your baby’s temperature, If the temperature is above the normal range, If the baby’s temperature is above the normal range, 36-38°C or 97-100.4°F, it indicates that he has a fever. There are various methods to break the fever which is listed below:
- Give your baby a spongy bath
A spongy bath can reduce baby’s fever, but remember not to use the cold water, instead use lukewarm water. A lukewarm bath will result in water evaporation from his skin, which will bring his temperature down and make his body cool. Cold water can result in the risein temperature as it shrives the body of your newborn. Moreover, avoid using rubbing alcohol and ice baths because it has a risk of alcohol poisoning and may cause temperature spikes.
Alternatively, you may place a cool and wet wash cloth on his forehead, it will release heat from his skin and reduce fever.
- Remove layers of clothes
Make sure that your baby is dressed in light clothes, remove layers of clothes so that heat may drop through his skin more easily and quickly. Heavy layers of clothes will trap the excess heat produced by fever, affecting your baby’s skin to stay warmer, resulting in the risein temperature. Make sure to dress him in one lightweight layer, perhaps, you may remove his clothes if he becomes soaked with sweat because it can complicate newborn’s health condition.
- Give your newborn extra fluid
To reduce fever in a newborn, you have to prevent him from the dehydration. It is advised to give only breast milk or formula milk to infants under the age of 6 months, instead, you may supplement it with water, gelatin or natural fruit juice. Beside this, yogurt and ice pops may also help your baby’s body to remain cool from the inside out and keep him hydrated.
Remember not to give your baby too much fluid as fruit juice, instead, dilute it by mixing in water; half water and half juice. If your baby is vomiting as well, then gelatin is a good choice as it will prevent vomit.
- Use lightweight blanket
Shivering is an alert that the baby needs extra attention to stay warm. In such a situation, a lightweight blanket may help you to keep your baby warm because the blanket is easy to adjust and remove than clothing an unclothing him again and again. Make sure that blanket is not too heavy since it will result in an increase of temperature, instead, give him a light blanket, if he is shivering, until he becomes warm again.
- Use a fan
A fan can be an alternative option to keep your baby’s body temperature cool. Keep a fan at a low setting in a circular motion instead of directly blowing on the baby. If your baby shrives, because of a fan, put a lightweight blanket on him that prevents shriving. Alternatively, you may keep your baby indoor in a cool place, or under a shade, if you are outdoor.
- Consult your doctor
You may consult your doctor if the fever doesn’t reduce after giving home treatments. Avoid giving your newborn any medication such as acetaminophen without the instructions of a doctor, instead, consult a doctor before giving any medication to your infant. Only use the medication recommended by the doctor, nevertheless, avoid giving a heavy dose of medication because newborns are not yet prepared for it.
When to call a doctor
Besides trying home treatments, you may call your child provider immediately if your child acts un-alert or uncomfortable after the fever goes down or the fever symptoms appear again after an interval. Moreover, if your child doesn’t make tears while weeping or he is not urinated for last 8hours then call a doctor.
Take your child to the emergency, if he is under the age of three months, and has a fever of 100.4°F, or if he is -12 months old and has a temperature of 102.2°F or higher. If fever comes and goes frequently for a week or even more and the other symptoms appear along with fever such as a sore throat, diarrhea or a cough then also consult child provider immediately.
Never compromise on a child’s health, take care of him to keep him safe from fever and illness.