Newbie Question: Fever

Big J · January 2011

Eliana's never had a fever until today. She's slept for the most part of the day and woke up this afternoon really weepy and cranky. Her temp was 100.5, which I believe is considered a low grade fever.

I gave her some Motrin and she took a nap. When she woke up her temp was 99.5. She was still weepy, clingy, and rubbing her eyes so I put her down for the night.

She has 4 teeth ready to pop on top, so that might be the cause.

But my question is, I'm fine to let her sleep, right? Or should I continue to take her temp and give Motrin?

ablou · January 2011

Let her sleep, and take her temp & remedicate when she wakes up (if needed). Just make sure that you're spacing the doses 6-8 hrs. You can piggyback Tylenol, if you think she needs it.

ChristinaD09 · January 2011

We just had our first serious fever a few weeks ago. He had some random virus or something--they could never find an infection.

So here is what we found out from the Drs. at the ER/our pedi (we went twice within about 3 days, plus an ER trip).

1. You can give them tylonel AND motrin. Space it out 4 hours apart. Tylonel. Then 4 hours later, give motrin. Then four hours later, give tylonel. Repeat. If the fever gets serious, you probably will need to wake them up to give them meds. Our little guy was at 104.3 at one point. And was between 102-103.8 for 3 days, even with all the meds. It was horrible.

2. The fever is not the problem. The problem is the underlying cause of the fever (like an infection, or maybe here new teeth). I was always told they'd get brain damage at some point. Not true, apparently. The dr's all said the fever will cap out on its own at 105ish (but at that point, I would definitely take the baby to the ER, even the pedi said he takes his kids at 105, to have someone else look at them).

3. If they start puking, give them tylonel suppositories if you don't want to stress about whether she puked out all the meds. It SUCKS. He bawled. Every time. But we had to do it.

4. Past 6 months, its normal for a fever to go up to 104-105 or so.

5. You can give them alot more of the tylonel/motrin than it says on the bottle. Our pedi had us giving him alot more, and it was only then that he finally got relief from the fever.

6. Watch for dehydration if puking. Force them to take fluids.

7. Do not wrap them in blankets. Keep the baby in as little clothes as possible. They're bodies cannot regulate the heat yet, so it'll make their temperature go wayy up. The ER Drs. told us to keep him in a diaper if at all possible, or just a plain onesie if the house was really cold.

That's probably alot more than you need, but I know I was petrified the first time I saw the themometer go up to 104.

sleepingbeauty825 · January 2011

ChristinaD09:
We just had our first serious fever a few weeks ago. He had some random virus or something--they could never find an infection.

So here is what we found out from the Drs. at the ER/our pedi (we went twice within about 3 days, plus an ER trip).

1. You can give them tylonel AND motrin. Space it out 4 hours apart. Tylonel. Then 4 hours later, give motrin. Then four hours later, give tylonel. Repeat. If the fever gets serious, you probably will need to wake them up to give them meds. Our little guy was at 104.3 at one point. And was between 102-103.8 for 3 days, even with all the meds. It was horrible.

2. The fever is not the problem. The problem is the underlying cause of the fever (like an infection, or maybe here new teeth). I was always told they'd get brain damage at some point. Not true, apparently. The dr's all said the fever will cap out on its own at 105ish (but at that point, I would definitely take the baby to the ER, even the pedi said he takes his kids at 105, to have someone else look at them).

3. If they start puking, give them tylonel suppositories if you don't want to stress about whether she puked out all the meds. It SUCKS. He bawled. Every time. But we had to do it.

4. Past 6 months, its normal for a fever to go up to 104-105 or so.

5. You can give them alot more of the tylonel/motrin than it says on the bottle. Our pedi had us giving him alot more, and it was only then that he finally got relief from the fever.

6. Watch for dehydration if puking. Force them to take fluids.

7. Do not wrap them in blankets. Keep the baby in as little clothes as possible. They're bodies cannot regulate the heat yet, so it'll make their temperature go wayy up. The ER Drs. told us to keep him in a diaper if at all possible, or just a plain onesie if the house was really cold.

That's probably alot more than you need, but I know I was petrified the first time I saw the themometer go up to 104.

No kidding! I would freak out too!

Poor E! Sounds like it's probably from teething. Simon is working on some top teeth too, I hope. I will cross my fingers for all of us that these kiddos get some relief soon.

Melly Mel · January 2011

Let her sleep.

By the way, how did the drs. appt. go last week?

Big J · January 2011

Super helpful responses, ladies! Thank you!

Mel - it went well. Pedi sent us to the hospital to have her urine re-checked after completing all the anti-biotics. She peed like champ so that was a breeze. Everything came back clean, so we're hoping this was a one time deal. Thanks for checking in You are the UTI Queen. Big Smile

finsternis · January 2011

our pedi wants a call if medication brings the fever down but her behavior doesn`t go back to normal. so if i were in your exact situation, i`d put a call in. just my $0.02

good luck, hope she improves soon.

DaisyFull · January 2011

I say let her sleep. 4 teeth, huh?? Good luck to you!

I think we have top teeth about to pop, but just 2.

Big J · January 2011

DaisyFull:

I say let her sleep. 4 teeth, huh?? Good luck to you!

I think we have top teeth about to pop, but just 2.

Holy crap! Love your new siggy pic!

RedHeadedLeo85 · January 2011

I would let her sleep and just use the inside of your wrist to "check" her temp. If it burns, wake her.

The one thing that pedis (I have been through 2) have always told me is don't treat the fever, treat the discomfort. If baby is comfortable, then leave the fever alone and just keep an eye on it. The body's temp is raising to kill off what ever virus or bacteria is bothering them. It's a signal that something is going on.

We just went through a temp of 101.8 and it was an ear infection. She was whiny, tired, and cuddly. I asked the pedi if I should give her tylenol (she had an appt in 2 hours) They told me not if she's 'comfortable'. If she's upset and clearly showing discomfort and pain, then go ahead.

With 4 teeth coming in, I can guarantee that she will wake in the night. I would take some oragel and pain reliever to bed with you and expect a rough night.

Best of luck to you and here's to hoping that it's just teeth and nothing worse.

Want a personalized experience?

Newbie Question: Fever

Re: Newbie Question: Fever

Choose Another Board

Search Boards