Home Remedies to Reduce an Infant's Fever
Many doctors consider an oral temperature above 99.5°F or a rectal temperature higher than 100.4°F a fever. If an infant younger than three months has a temperature higher than 100.4°F or if a baby between three and six months has a fever higher than 101°F, call your doctor. If a child older than six months has a 102°F fever that rises or lasts longer than two days, call the doctor if her fever rises above 103°F.
Acetaminophen
According to Familydoctor.org, acetaminophen helps reduce fever. Do not give medications to infants under two months old without consulting their pediatrician. Read the dosing instructions on the package; the dosage will be based on the child’s weight and age. Your pediatrician may also advise you on proper dosing amounts for your baby. Be sure to use the measuring device that comes with the fever reducer; a kitchen spoon will not measure the medicine correctly. You can also obtain a dropper or infant spoon from your local pharmacy.
- According to Familydoctor.org, acetaminophen helps reduce fever.
- Be sure to use the measuring device that comes with the fever reducer; a kitchen spoon will not measure the medicine correctly.
Sponging
Fever at Night in Infants & Toddlers
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Another home remedy to reduce your infant's fever is sponging. Place him in a bathtub with 1 to 2 inches of warm water, approximately 85ºF to 90ºF, advises Healthychildren.org. Use a clean washcloth to spread a layer of water over his arms, legs and trunk. If your child is uncomfortable or shivers, take him out of the tub. Shivering can worsen the fever 1.
Do not put alcohol in the tub. It can cause your child to go into a coma 1.
- Another home remedy to reduce your infant's fever is sponging.
- Use a clean washcloth to spread a layer of water over his arms, legs and trunk.
Fluids
California Pacific Medical Center reminds parents to keep kids with fevers well hydrated. Iced drinks and popsicles are good ways to keep children cool and comfortable. Children can lose body fluids when they have a fever because they sweat. Commercially prepared electrolyte replacement drinks will hydrate sick infants and help them feel better. The drinks can be found in the baby food section of your local grocery store. Follow the directions on the bottle.
- California Pacific Medical Center reminds parents to keep kids with fevers well hydrated.
Room Temperature
How to Treat the Fever for an 8-Month-Old Baby
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Keeping your infant comfortable is your number-one priority when she has a fever. She should rest in a cool room. Familydoctor.org recommends keeping the house or the infant’s bedroom between 70ºF and 74ºF. A fan can help circulate the air. It is also wise to dress your baby in light, cotton clothing as a home remedy to lowering her fever.
- Keeping your infant comfortable is your number-one priority when she has a fever.
Related Articles
References
- CPMC: Caring for Your Child's Fever
- Family Doctor: Fever in Infants and Children
- Healthy Children: Treating a Fever Without Medicine
- Gunduz S, Usak E, Koksal T, Canbal M. Why Fever Phobia Is Still Common? Iran Red Crescent Med J. 2016;18(8):e23827. doi:10.5812/ircmj.23827
- American Academy of Pediatrics. Fever and Your Baby. Updated August 3, 2016.
- Torreggiani S, Filocamo G, Esposito S. Recurrent Fever in Children. Int J Mol Sci. 2016;17(4):448. doi:10.3390/ijms17040448
- InformedHealth.org. Fever in Children: Overview. Cologne, Germany: Institute for Quality and Efficiency in Health Care (IQWiG); 2013.
- InformedHealth.org. Fever in children: When to see a doctor. Cologne, Germany: Institute for Quality and Efficiency in Health Care (IQWiG); 2009.
- MedlinePlus. When your baby or infant has a fever. Updated February 13, 2020.
- Lim T. Cleveland Clinic. Kids’ Fevers: When to Worry, When to Relax. Published May 12, 2015.
- Murren-Boezem J. The Nemours Foundation. Fevers. Updated September 2018.
Writer Bio
Amy Kaminsky worked as a television producer, producing programming for networks including Home and Garden Television and The Animal Planet. Kaminsky also produced pharmaceutical training videos for a national retail drug chain to update pharmacists on topics including vitamins, supplements and pharmacist-patient relations. She holds a Bachelor of Science degree in mass communications and is working toward her Master of Arts degree in communication studies.