Being responsible parents means ensuring your baby grows as strong and healthy as possible. Unfortunately, they’re more susceptible to fevers because of their underdeveloped immune systems.
It can be distressing to see your baby sick because they can’t vocalize their feelings yet. While calling your local kids’ urgent care center may be understandable, you must know that their temperatures fluctuate due to daily activities and factors and how to treat high fevers.
If you want to keep your baby healthy, this article will help you determine a fever and how to detect it. We’ll also teach you how to treat high fevers and when to seek urgent care for your kid.
When Can You Consider Your Child Has a Fever?
Your baby has a fever if their an ear, rectal, or temporal artery temperature of 110.4°F (38°C) or higher, a mouth temperature of 100°F (37.8°C) or higher, or an armpit temperature of 99°F (37.2°) or higher. If unsure about the results, you can always use another method to confirm them.
3 Thermometers to Help Determine Fever in Babies
Using a digital multi-use thermometer, you can accurately check if your child has a fever. This crucial device is affordable and user-friendly and provides the most reliable temperature readings. Here are three ways to use a digital thermometer to get your child’s temperature.
1. Rectal Thermometers
While rectal thermometers are the most accurate way to get a baby or toddler’s temperature, they’re usually unpleasant for the parent and baby.
2. Armpit Thermometers
While armpit thermometers are convenient for measuring someone’s temperature, the readings may not be as accurate as the other devices.
3. Ear or Forehead Thermometers
An ear or forehead thermometer is less reliable than other methods because the environment can affect the readings. Never use mercury thermometers because they’re hazardous when broken.
How to Treat Your Baby’s High-Temperature Fever
Here are six ways to help reduce your baby’s high-temperature fever.
1. Give the Prescribed Medications
You can give your baby ibuprofen and acetaminophen to help reduce their fever if they’re older than six months. Never use aspirin because it can cause Reye’s syndrome, a fatal side effect.
2. Keep Their Room Cool
Ensure the room temperature is between 70 to 74 degrees Fahrenheit by turning the air conditioning or fan set to a low setting. You should also stay in the shade to protect your child from the sun when you go outside.
3. Dress Them in Lightweight Clothes
Lightweight clothing can help your baby stay cool by allowing the body to regulate its temperature better. Remove any extra clothing and blankets because they can worsen the fever.
4. Give Them Plenty of Fluids
Hydration is essential to keep your baby healthy, especially if they have a fever. Options like water, clear soups, popsicles, yogurt, and breast milk are ideal for babies six months and younger. Experts also recommend breast milk because it can help babies stay hydrated and boost their immune systems.
5. Apply Cold Compress
You can help your child rest and reduce fevers by applying a wet, cool cloth to their head.
6. Give Them a Lukewarm Sponge Bath
You can help reduce your child’s fever by giving them a calming sponge bath with warm water. Never use cold water because it can make them shiver and increase their temperature.
When to Seek Urgent Care for Your Kid’s Condition
While high fevers are common in babies, you must rush your child to your kids’ urgent care center or your pediatrician if they also have a rash, aren’t eating or sleeping, or are cranky.
Conclusion
No parent should see their baby suffer from a high fever. You can help your little one grow healthy by using accurate thermometers, keeping them comfortable, and speaking with your kids’ urgent care provider or pediatrician.
If your little one needs treatment for high fevers, bring them to Your Kids Urgent Care! We provide quality kids’ urgent care in St. Petersburg, FL. Our clinic also covers the Tampa, Largo, Orlando, Vestavia Hills, and Oviedo areas. Schedule your appointment now!
