5 Steps to Take When Baby has a Fever | Rachael Burgess

5 Things to do when your Baby has a Fever

I remember when Zoey was a baby and she got her first ear infection. She felt really hot and spent the day cuddling me or lying on the floor, the couch or her bed. Wherever she was, she just wanted to sleep. She refused to eat anything and I was obviously concerned. There is nothing quite as scary as your baby being sick and having a fever.

When I brought her to the doctor my heart broke as she just laid there while they took her temperature and listened to her heart. Then she fell asleep in my arms. She usually was terrified of doctors and screamed/kicked/fought the whole visit – anything to avoid the doctor looking at her. To not even react meant she was feeling really unwell.

5 Steps to Take When Baby has a Fever | Rachael Burgess

The first thing the doctor asked me, when she saw Zoey had a fever, was if I had been giving her acetaminophen. I didn’t know how to give that to a baby so little. Plus she was refusing to eat anything so it would have been difficult to give her oral medication. She gave me instructions on how to take care of Zoey’s ear infection and I went home. After just one dose of acetaminophen her temperature was down, and despite still feeling sick she was in a much better mood and was able to eat again.

5 Steps to Take When Baby has a Fever | Rachael Burgess

Recently when Zander had a fever, while we are on vacation in Florida (wrote about that scary experience here), I was much better prepared. I still worried, as I always do when my babies are sick. But Kris and I were able to calmly and effectively take care of him. Below are five steps you can take next time your baby has a fever.

5 Steps to Take When Baby has a Fever | Rachael Burgess

5 Things to do when your Baby has a Fever

1. Be Prepared

It is smart to have everything you need for a fever on hand before the fever hits. Especially now that it is traditional cold and flu season, there are some things that you should just always have on hand so you don’t end up needing to run to a 24 hour pharmacy in the middle of the night. A rectal thermometer and acetaminophen are the essentials. Since Zander was born I always have had FeverAll® Acetaminophen Suppositories on hand. It is the only acetaminophen brand with dosing instructions for children as young as six months old.

5 Steps to Take When Baby has a Fever | Rachael Burgess

2. Treat the Fever

Acetaminophen is a very effective fever reducer. It is generally the first thing the doctor will recommend when your baby has a fever. If your child has difficulty with oral medicine, FeverAll® Acetaminophen Suppositories are a great option. They are for children 6 months to 2 years old and they’re simple to give, while always providing the correct dosage. They also have fewer inactive ingredients than other infants’ fever reducers.* That means no parabens, no high fructose corn syrup, no artificial flavors, and no preservatives. You can find FeverAll OTC at your local CVS, Walgreens or Walmart.

Learn more about them on the FeverAll YouTube page here. Also be sure to follow their Facebook, Instagram and Pinterest pages for updates and helpful tips for cold and flu season with kids.

*vs Infants’ Tylenol and Infants’ Motrin Oral Suspension

5 Steps to Take When Baby has a Fever | Rachael Burgess

3. Monitor the Fever

Make sure you check your baby’s temperature regularly. Check your baby’s temperature at least once every hour, or whenever your child starts showing new signs or symptoms that could mean they are more sick. This will help you know if your baby is getting better, or if you need professional medical help.

4. Keep your Baby Hydrated

With any fever, hydration is always a concern. Make sure you keep your baby hydrated with formula or an oral rehydration fluid. Don’t give an infant water to keep them hydrated while they are sick. They need something that will give them more substance and strength, since sick babies often don’t eat a lot.

5 Steps to Take When Baby has a Fever | Rachael Burgess

5. Know when to go to the Doctor

For a fever of 103°F or higher in children 6 months or older you should always seek immediate medical attention. If your child is younger than 6 months and has a fever it would be best to seek medical attention right away. Other signs that require medical help are lethargy, difficulty breathing, signs of dehydration, fever longer than 48 hours, fever with pain when urinating, fever with seizures or a fever after an international trip. If you are worried at all it is always best to seek professional advice and help. Better safe than sorry when it comes to your baby!

5 Steps to Take When Baby has a Fever | Rachael Burgess

Taking care of a sick child is something most every parent will have to do at some point. It is wise to be prepared so when you face that situation you are ready. I feel much better prepared the second time around with Zander, then I did with Zoey.

When was the last time your child was sick? What did you do?

5 Steps to Take When Baby has a Fever | Rachael Burgess

Use FeverAll® only as directed. If you have specific questions about fever, acetaminophen or using FeverAll, speak with your child’s pediatrician. FeverAll Acetaminophen Suppositories are available at major retailers and drugstores across the U.S, such as CVS, Rite Aid, Walgreens and Walmart. For more information and current offers, visit www.FeverAll.com.

This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of FeverAll® Acetaminophen Suppositories. The opinions and text are all mine.

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