Fever in toddler..HELP?

Question

I took my daughters temp today (this evening) and it read 102 degrees. (She had been acting funny and felt hot all day).

She is 14 months old and before today, has never had a fever or otherwise been sick.
She's a healthy kid.

I gave her the reccomended dose of Motrin right before I put her to bed. And it's after hours at her pediatrician, and I wouldn't really consider this an emergency.

I don't have experience with sick kids, like I said, she's never had a fever before. The only other symptom she had was a runny nose.

So are there any tips you can share with me?
Do I have to wake her up in a few hours to take her temp?

Answer 1

No you do not need to wake her up but do check on her, she most likely is teething or has a cold. Just be sure to give her lots of fluid. and make sure her temp does not stay above 103 for more than an hour. if this should happen take her to the ER just to be safe. You can help make her feel better by giving her a luke warm bath and rubbing lotion on her.Don't dress her to warmly. Dress her in light clothing and cover her in a light blanket. Sleep is the best medicine though, she most likely will feel better in the morning. If it continues for longer than a day or so it would not hurt to have her checked out. hope this helps.

Answer 2

In a kid (not an infant), no one panics until the temp hit 104 or higher. If she's uncomfortable, give her Motrin or Tylonol as directed but if she's acting fine, let her body fight off the infection with the fever. Don't worry about the ER, if the fever goes up or you are worried, call your pediatrician's office and leave a message--that's why they have on-call hours. If she is sleeping fine, let her sleep. A high enough fever will wake her up or she'll be restless. One thing to watch for is an ear infection--my younger daughter gets one every time she has a runny nose. One way to know is if she's pulling on her ears. Motrin is good for that too. You don't need to have her seen as long as it seems like she's responding to the medicine and improving over the course of a couple days.

At this very moment, both my girls have runny noses and I put them to bed with Benydryl because my pediatrician said it helps dry up the snot and makes them sleep more soundly. Sick kids are no fun but they seem to handle it much better than grown ups and get over it faster!

Answer 3

Actually at 102 she should be in the ER. There can be several causes for the fever. If she had an MMR innoculation within the past 4-6 weeks she could have a mild case of either the mumps or the measles. But I would not allow a temp of 102 go with just motrin and bed, for one thing body tempratures rise during sleep and she could "spike" to 104-105

Answer 4

Fever can be a sign of alot of things. Lots of times it'll go away as quickly as it started. I would just try to keep her fever under control. If needed give her doses of Motrin and baby tylenol 3-4 hours apart. Example, you give tylenol then 3 hours later you give motrin then follw 3 hours later with more tylenol. This usually works better to control the fever. It's probably as simple as a cold or the start of an ear infection. i would call for an appointment tomorrow and just watch her for worsening through the night. there is no need to wake her up if she is sleeping unless she is extremly hot and you think her fever has reached a dangerous level like in the 104's or above. She will most likely wake you up when she feels bad and her fever returns then you can take her temp and stuff then.

Hope she feels better soon.

Answer 5

alternate Motrin and Tylenol every 4 hours.You don't have to wake her up,but if she does wake up make sure you give her a drink.Lots of fluids!Your right 102 is not considered an emergency...if it gets up to 103.5 or higher and you cant get it down quickly(lukewarm bath) then don't hesitate to take her.If your worried about the temp going up take it under her arm while shes sleeping...add a degree to the reading.
It is totally normal to freak out over a temp.Just try to stay calm and watchful.You sound like your handling this great so far!Hope she feels better soon.
If she still has even a slight temp in the morning call your doc. and see what their advise is.♥

Answer 6

All of these things could work, except the juice, like the other lady said it has sugar, but when my little boys have a high fever, I put them in the bath tub, it will break her fever for a while, with alliterating Motrin and Tylenol, and if it's still high in the morning make her an appt.

Answer 7

I am also a teen mother. My daughter was the same way, never sick. She may be getting an ear infection. She will probably be fine overnight but call the doc right away in the morning if the fever hasn't broke. Go to WEBMD.COM and punch in the symptoms and you will come up with some more professional advice than most people here will be able to offer you. Good Luck!!

Answer 8

She probably got a cold! High temp with toddler is VERY common so I guess you've been lucky.
Don't wake her up for temperature but check on her.
If she's still as hot in a few hours, give her some liquid (water, juice). If you are very worried because she becomes non-responsive, take her to an afterhour clinic.

Answer 9

Keep monitoring her, use an ear thermometer if you don't want to wake her. What you don't want is for the temperature to spike up suddenly, it could spark a fever fit. If she's uncomfortable with a wet towel on her forehead, try dipping your fingers in water and draw water lines on her forehead and anywhere on her body that's warm. As long as the water can eveaporate off the skin, it'll help to keep her cool. I had to alternate children's paracetamol and neurofen every 4hrs to keep the fever down. When that didn't work fast enough, I even got suppositories from my GP to insert to bring the very high fever down quickly before a fit could occur. Hope your daughter isn't as bad as my son. Keep sponging her with water, don't have to use icy cold water as it shocks them, and keep as much liquids into her as she can comfortably drink. Her pee shouldn't be very yellow. Keep her calm and as happy with toys, stories etc even when she's feeling bad. All the best.

Answer 10

i disagree with all the answers. i work in a pediatric er and if all she has is a temp and a runny nose you're going to sit in the er for HOURS instead in the comfort of your own home. there is always a dr on call so if you're worried call your pcp. keep doing what you're doing and make an appt in the morning if shes not better. in fever the best thing to do is keep her hydrated with water or pedilyte, NOT juice. juice has sugar that futher dehydrates the body. but in the end, do what feels comfortable to you....