If your baby under 1 year old has a fever, here’s what to do
Babies less than 1 year old if they have a fever, is it dangerous? What should you do to improve it?
When children have a fever, they are usually given medication to lower their temperature, but when children are less than 1 year old, taking medication is left as a last resort . It is not bad for babies to catch a cold, in fact, it is the most common and more so if they have older siblings or if they go to nursery school since they are very young.
The common cold is an infection of the upper respiratory tract. It causes symptoms, such as congestion, runny nose, and fever. If your baby has a fever of more than 38.5ºC, consult your pediatrician as soon as possible because you may need to administer medication to prevent it from continuing to rise, but the underlying cause should also be assessed to treat it if necessary. Either way, the pediatrician will be in charge of telling you what kind of medicine you should give your little one and what dose you should follow.
There are also remedies, such as saline drops and nose suction that provide relief for children from colds and can also help reduce fever.
Index
SNOT SUCTION
A 1-year-old baby still can’t blow her nose. Suction will help clear your nostrils, making it more comfortable to breathe. Place the end of the nasal aspirator in your child’s nose and suction gently so that the mucus in his nose comes out and is trapped inside the suction device. Then empty the device with warm soapy water when you have finished suctioning both of your baby’s nostrils.
SALINE DROPS
Talk to your doctor about using saline drops on your baby. These drops are basically water and salt. They water your baby’s mucus . Saline drops are available in most drug stores, you can also add serum. Follow the manufacturer’s directions for using the drops. This usually involves putting a couple of drops of the solution in each of your baby’s nostrils before breathing in the mucus.
FLUIDS
During fever and cold , your baby needs fluids to prevent dehydration. Fever puts your child at higher risk for this problem. Talk to your child’s doctor about administering an electrolyte replacement solution. Continue feeding your child on your normal schedule. If she breastfeeds, encourage her to continue. This could provide protection against future illnesses.
WARM BATH
Relieve your baby’s fever by giving him a warm bath. The water should not be too hot or too cold. Allow him to sit in the bath for 10 minutes. Take care of your baby closely and never leave him alone. If you notice that he is shaking, finish the bath quickly and take him out to wrap him in a warm, soft towel. If you tremble, the muscles move and these can cause more fever.
Dress your baby in light clothing. If you use a blanket to sleep on, use one that is a lightweight blanket. Avoid using heavy duvets, which make fever worse by increasing body heat.
WHEN TO GO TO THE DOCTOR?
As we have mentioned above, if your baby goes above 38 or 38.5ºC, go to your doctor to assess the health of your baby. Although if you have a lower temperature but you think something is wrong, do not hesitate to see your doctor as soon as possible to see if something underlying occurs that is causing that discomfort. Also, if your baby is less than three months old and has a cold , go to the doctor as soon as possible since in such young babies there can be certain complications from a simple cold.
Dr. Tabriella Perivolaris, Sara's mother and fan of fashion, beauty, motherhood, among others, about the female universe. Since 2018 she has been working as a copywriter, always bringing to her articles a little of her experience and experience as a mother and woman.