Should I Call The Doctor If My Baby Has A Fever

Home
>
Babies & Toddler
>
Should I Call The Doctor If My Baby Has A Fever

Should I Call The Doctor If My Baby Has A Fever

Sooner or later, your new baby will develop a fever. It would be a rare child who does not come down with some kind of illness that elevates their temperature. Babies can get fevers for a variety of reasons, and understanding the whys, can help you determine if you should call your doctor.

On a warm day, and over-dressed baby, particularly an active or squirmy one, can become flushed and hot. When their temperature is taken it is up. The first thing to do is remove some of the clothing, and place the child in a cool spot to rest or play quietly. Take their temperature again in 20-30 minutes, if there are no signs that their distress is increasing. Chances are, it will be headed back towards normal. Sometimes just a very active play session in hot weather, can make a toddler's temperature go up, and the cure is the same: remove some clothes, and cool down by taking a break.

Most fevers are the result of a child's body fighting off an infection of some sort. As white blood cells become active and mount a defense, their temperature will rise, and they may develop other symptoms, including coughing, excessive crying, restlessness, listlessness, lack of appetite, unwillingness to drink, diarrhea and vomiting. But occasionally, fever is the only symptom, and many times, it does not seem to interfere with their activities or behavior.

Generally speaking, a child with a fever, who has other symptoms of distress like vomiting, diarrhea, and excessive crying, may have an illness that requires medical attention. Take their temperature, and call your pediatrician with the results. Be prepared to give them a list of the symptoms. They may ask that you administer a fever-reducing medication such as acetaminophen, or if they are over six months of age, ibuprofen. It is best not to administer these on your own, if the child becomes ill suddenly, as the doctor may want to assess their condition without some of the symptoms being masked.

In addition to the medication, you can sponge your baby off in the tub, with lukewarm water, running it over their whole body and head. If the doctor has asked that you call them back after a specified time lapse, be sure that you take note of any changes in their condition.

A rule of thumb for calling the doctor, is for infants under three months, the temperature should be above 100F, and if they are over three months, a temperature of over 101F. Often times, the more obvious illnesses like flu, with a temperature and vomiting, are easier to diagnose than a temperature with no other symptoms.

Visit http://www.MalcolmsWeb.com and sign up for free weekly tips that will take the mystery and fear out of parenting your precious little one.

In The News:

Yahoo! News: Top Stories

Jobless claims jump unexpectedly to 16-year high (AP)

AP - New claims for unemployment benefits jumped last week to a 16-year high, the Labor Department said Thursday, providing more evidence of a rapidly weakening job market expected to get even worse next year.

Perino: Bush would sign jobless benefits extension (AP)

AP - With weekly jobless claims benefits at a 16-year high, the White House said Thursday that President George W. Bush would quickly sign legislation pending in Congress to provide further unemployment benefits.

Dems: Napolitano emerges for Homeland Security job (AP)

AP - Arizona Gov. Janet Napolitano, an early Barack Obama supporter from the southwestern part of the country, is the likely choice for the job of secretary of homeland security, a top Obama adviser said Thursday.

Stocks fall further after jobless claims jump (AP)

AP - Fresh worries about widening unemployment added to investors' list of concerns about the economy Thursday. The major indexes declined in volatile trading, extending losses from Wednesday's steep sell-off.

Bipartisan group working to revive auto bailout (AP)

AP - A bipartisan group of auto-state senators reached a last-ditch compromise Thursday to throw Detroit's Big Three a government lifeline worth billions, but the plan faces an uphill battle in a reluctant Senate.

Staffers weep as Ted Stevens gives last Senate speech (AP)

AP - Ted Stevens, an old-style Senate giant and the chamber's longest-serving Republican, delivered his swansong address and yielded the floor for the final time Thursday. He was saluted by his colleagues as a staunch friend and teacher.

Astronauts vow remaining tool bag won't drift away (AP)

AP - Astronauts vowed to double-check, even triple-check all their tethers to make sure a bag of tools is properly tied down during a spacewalk Thursday so it doesn't float away like one did earlier this week.

Web ad sales rise slightly from prior quarter (AP)

AP - Despite the bad economy, U.S. Internet advertising revenue rose in the third quarter, according to an analysis released Thursday.

Madonna, Ritchie to begin divorce in London Friday (AP)

AP - A court schedule says Madonna and Guy Ritchie will be granted the first stage of their divorce in London Friday.

Yankees control shifts to Steinbrenner's son Hal (AP)

AP - Major League Baseball owners approved the shift of control of the New York Yankees from George Steinbrenner to his son, Hal, on Thursday.

Bipartisan auto aid agreement reached: aide (Reuters)

Reuters - Senators Levin, Bond, Voinovich, Stabenow reached an agreement on bipartisan auto aid agreement a senate democratic aide said on Thursday.

Weekly jobless claims surge to 16-year high (Reuters)

Reuters - The number of U.S. workers filing new claims for jobless benefits surged last week to their highest level in 16 years, Labor Department data showed on Thursday, as a harsh economic environment forces employers to cut back on hiring.

Obama eyes Arizona governor for Homeland Security (Reuters)

Reuters - President-elect Barack Obama is considering Arizona Gov. Janet Napolitano to be U.S. Homeland Security secretary, heading a sprawling agency formed to bolster civil defense in the wake of the September 11 attacks, a senior Democrat said.

U.S. judge: Five Algerians at Guantanamo can be freed (Reuters)

Reuters - Five of six Algerians must be released after nearly seven years of captivity at the U.S. military prison at Guantanamo Bay in Cuba, a federal judge ruled on Thursday in a setback for the Bush administration,

U.S. forces kill Qaeda leader wanted for attacks (Reuters)

Reuters - U.S. forces killed a senior al Qaeda leader wanted for planning suicide bombings, kidnappings and assassinations, including the abduction and killing of a U.S. army sergeant in 2004, the U.S. military said on Thursday.

Bush, Olmert to meet Monday, review peace efforts (Reuters)

Reuters - President George W. Bush will meet Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert on Monday to review Middle East peace efforts that the U.S. leader had once hoped would produce an agreement before he left office.

Calif. court to hear challenge to gay marriage ban (Reuters)

Reuters - California's Supreme Court on Wednesday agreed to hear a legal challenge against the state's voter-approved ban on gay marriage and let the ban stand in the meantime.

Pakistan protests over U.S. missile strikes (Reuters)

Reuters - Pakistan summoned U.S. ambassador Anne Patterson on Thursday to protest over missile strikes launched by pilotless drone aircraft against militant targets in Pakistan.

Governments scramble to protect jobs as losses mount (AFP)

AFP - Governments scrambled to cushion the impact of the financial crisis Thursday with France launching a 20-billion-euro sovereign wealth fund and China unveiling a jobs protection plan as the car industry made huge new cuts.

Somali pirates demand $25 mln for oil tanker (AFP)

AFP - Somali pirates who hijacked a Saudi oil super-tanker demanded a 25 million dollar ransom Thursday amid calls for tougher action to end threats to one of the world's key maritime routes.

Should I Call The Doctor If My Baby Has A Fever

Babies & Toddler Babies & Toddler