How to Handle a Child's Fever

Fevers are something that happens every day to anyone. More than almost any other common condition fever causes parents to worry. Especially for first time parents. The first signs of a child or baby having a fever are the discomfort of the child or baby and of course the red-cheeked child. Then it gets the parents wondering if it’s just the fever itself or is it a sign of a more serious illness.

In furthermost cases, fever is not serious and, if anything, is a good sign that the child’s body is working to fight an illness, probably the worst of the illness. While extremely high fevers can be over 104 degrees F then calling for action is the best choice at that point. Between a 100-degree fever and a 102-degree fever is not much of a difference. Since many types of bacteria and viruses don’t like hot temperatures, a fever is a nature’s way of fending off disease.

Now you wonder when you should call a doctor.

Any infant age three months or younger with a fever should be seen by a doctor immediately. After that, the data is less absolute. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends parents call the pediatrician within 24 hours for fever in children one year old or less. Also looking at other symptoms is always good too. Such as neck pain, persistent vomiting, and diarrhea.

Should you always jump the conclusions and give your child medication right away? Not necessarily.

When using medications for fever-reducing, we need to remember that we cannot give medication because of the certain temperature or the number. The most important thing is our child’s comfort lever. Fever-reducing medications such as acetaminophen often only reduces a child’s fever by one degree, which can often times be just enough to allow our child to sleep comfortable. If you cannot feel like you can make your child comfortable with adequate medication dosing, then consulting a doctor should be the best bet.

If your child is sleeping, wait until your child wakes up to give her medicine. Also make sure we take advantage of this time and give them a drink of clear liquid to make sure that the child stays well hydrated. Often times, the warmth of a mother being close to a child might help. Swaddling the baby in a baby carrier, or just laying next to your child so they feel like they don't have to go through alone.

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How to Read a Baby's Mind

Have you ever waked up in the middle of the night because your baby’s is crying up a storm and you just don’t know why? Well trying to understand gestures and expressions might be the best way to go. Even when babies are first born, believe it or not they already know a few things about people, language, and their new world, according to Alison Gopnik, a professor of psychology at the University of California, Berkley, and author of The Philosophical Baby: What Children’s Minds Tell Us About Truth, Love, and the Meaning of Life. “At first glance, babies may not seem to do much, “she says, “They don’t talk, which is usually how we find out what someone thinks—but looking at what they do, where they look, what interests or bores them can tell you a lot.” That’s why some easily-mistaken expressions and gestures may not be hard to decode after all-as long as you are able to spot the signs.

Look: Scrunched-up face and grunting noises

Meaning: Probably means the feeling of being uncomfortable.  Gas ? Poop face?

Look: An intense, investigative stare at an object or in one general direction.

What does that mean: Babies normally get fascinated easily and is particularly intrigued by things around them. “They track the way objects around them move and are especially interested in edges and contrasts,” explains Gopnik.

Just a little something that I wanted to throw out there.

Swiss developmental psychologist Jean Piaget notably claimed babies don’t understand that an object can still exist once it’s out of view, but recent studies have thrown this theory out of the window. That’s why baby will continue to stare after mom has walked out of the door: He’s looking for her to return.

Look: Furrowed brows and a pouty lip

Meaning: Overstimulated and on the brink of a meltdown. Place the baby in a swing for some rhythmic movement to calm him down and back away slowly. Babies need some alone time too.

Look: A series of unexplainable crying, yelling, or even object throwing

Meaning: If this behavior is accompanied by some ploys of your attention, then guest what? That means that the baby is probably bored. One-on-one might be needed at this point.

Different types of crying:

Cry: Rhythmic and repetitive

Meaning: Hungry, Sucking on their fingers might be another sign of hunger too

Cry: Slow build-up of crying over several minutes

Meaning: Nap time

Cry: Periodic soft whimpers

Meaning: Baby is not feeling well; it is time to think about seeing a doctor

Cry: Powerful screams

Meaning:  If the baby is crying at the top of their lungs for a prolonged period, then it’s time to see a doctor. Maybe the baby developed something

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