my 18 month old daughter has a cold with a temperature, what can i do to help her feel more comfortable??

Question

i ve given her the usual calpol and ibruprofen to help with the temperature, but she s really grizzley and uncomfortable. any suggestions???

Answer 1

its normal for that to happen. jus make sure u dont give her the ibuprofen too soon after one dose.. usually its given 6 hrs apart. paracetamol can be given 4 hrs apart and its ok to be given together..
monitor her temperature, if its only 37.5-38.5 degrees celcius [by armpit], u could sponge her (neck, armpit, groin area), get her to drink more fluids and give her a dose of paracetamol. note the time given. then take her temperature again the next hour.. if her temp doesnt subside with the meds and sponging, and instead goes up to more than 39 degrees celcius, u could give her the ibuprofen.
continue monitoring her temperature, it should come down with ibuprofen and sponging. spend more time beside her so that she feels more secure.
if her temperature subsides with the first dose of paracetamol and sponging, u wont have to give the ibuprofen... ibuprofen is only to be given if ur child has very high temp (above 39). jus continue sponging.. stop if she shivers cos shivering causes ur body to produce more heat. jus make sure she drinks some fluids to bring down the temperature and have her to wear light clothings on a warm day.
just make sure u get her to the doctor if u dont know how best to handle the situation... take care...

Answer 2

Hi,

I have 6 kids and with long trial and error have found a few things that work.

I was actually told by paramedics, when my 2 year old daughter had a very high temp and NHS direct sent them out, that you can alternate a paracetamol based medicine, like calpol, and an ibuprofen based one, like nurofen, every 2 hours, as they are different types of medicine. This helped greatly with the temperature control of her flu type illness.

Also a TEPID (not cold or too cool) flannel on the head or neck can also help to control the bodies temperature. I say tepid and NOT cold as if it is too cool it can actually send an overheated body into shock at the sudden change in temperature. Tepid is not feeling too cold, I'd say neutral on a normal body.

Avoid too many covers - a thin blanket for a sense of security is OK, but if the general temp of the room is about 18 degrees centigrade, then that's fine to leave them stripped to just a nappy if they're excessively hot.

Plenty of fluids is essential. If they'll drink that's good, if not try do drip in a few drops of fluid as often as you can without agitating them, as screaming just makes a high temp worse.

I wish you well and hope your little one is well soon - I have my 2 year old son sick too so I can totally sympathise!

Answer 3

A fever is a sign that your body is attempting to fight an infection. Help your body fight the fever in the following ways.
Instructions

* STEP 1: Get plenty of rest.
* STEP 2: Drink plenty of fluids. Suck on an ice cube or flavored ice, or drink iced fruit juice or chilled clear broth.
* STEP 3: Dress lightly and keep the room temperature between 70 and 74 degrees F. Use a blanket if you feel cold.
* STEP 4: Take anti-fever medicines only when necessary. For children under 18 years old, use acetaminophen or ibuprofen. For adults, use acetaminophen, aspirin or ibuprofen.
* STEP 5: Give a child a lukewarm sponge bath for a temperature higher than 102 degrees F, but wait 30 minutes if you have given her acetaminophen. Wipe the child with a lukewarm washcloth or place her in a lukewarm tub for 20 minutes, then dry her thoroughly and check her temperature. If it is lower than 102 degrees F, don't continue with the lukewarm baths. If the child is shivering, warm up the water by a few degrees for the next bath.
* STEP 6: Know your medications. Some drug allergies cause fevers. If you suspect that one of your prescription medications may be causing a fever, talk to your doctor or pharmacist.
* STEP 7: Spread lip balm or petroleum jelly over the lips during the fever and for several days thereafter, since lips often crack and split during a fever.

Tips & Warnings

* A fever of 103 degrees F is not unusual in a young child. For adults, a fever higher than 101 degrees F or a fever that is greater than 101 degrees F at its onset is cause for medical attention.
* Ice packs can be placed in the groin and armpit areas when an adult has a very high fever, but consult your doctor first.
* Call your doctor or emergency room if a high fever is accompanied by a stiff neck, difficulty breathing, confusion, lethargy, delirium or convulsions, or a cough with colored sputum.
* Never use alcohol for a rubdown. The fumes are toxic, and alcohol is absorbed through the skin. Use lukewarm water.

Answer 4

There's probably not much you can do but let the cold run it's course. Being a virus it's pretty hard to treat. The best you can do is manage the symptoms.

Keep her as comfortable as you can. Make sure she eats well so that her body has the energy it needs to fight the infection. You could try giving her lots of orange juice since Vitamin C seems to help boost the immune system.

As long as her temperature isn't dangerously high you could leave it as it is. It's the bodies normal reaction to infection. Many bacteria and viruses have very specific living requirements so by having her temperature increase she's effectively cooking the virus to kill it. Being hot is uncomfortable for her undoubtedly but it could help her recover faster. Just keep an eye on it and make sure it doesn't go too high.

Answer 5

I, too, have an 18 month old who is on her THIRD cold this winter. Do you have a humidifier in her room? I've seen some really cute ones that are int he shapes of animals. You could also try (it works wonders for my daughter) some Vicks baby rub. Put on a thin layer after bath time and before she goes to bed. It really helps the congestion and to be able to breathe a bit easier at night.

As for comforting her....sing, read books, play,,,,just do the normal activiities indoors that you would do if she wan't sicik.

Answer 6

try giving her tyneol cold, a warm bath, and lay down with her so she will sleep, or give her some trimanic but its only about a 1/4 tsp of any of the above meds since she is little and the average dosing is based on a older child or something else would be childrens dimeatapp just try not to give her any of the above for more than 2 days is what the doctor has always told me

Answer 7

you can try sitting in the bathroom with a hot shower running. May be should get a humidifier. I've never heard of calpol but I know triaminic congestion works really good.

Answer 8

Give her Calpol lowers temperature and is safe

Answer 9

Try those water popsicles. Or the ones made with fruit juice are even better. You can find them in sugar free. Also, try a little of the vick's vapor rub, or one of those mentholated plug-in things. I heard they work really well. My daughter had constant ear infections, and her doctor told me to get a humidifier that you can put menthol in.

Answer 10

looks like you know what your doing with the calpol and plenty of drinks doesn't take long and she will be back to her old self you know how grouchy we get she's the same hope she is better now