How do you break a fever on an infant?

Question

My 13 month old got a fever last night and he is burning up. His temperature is 101 degrees, but our doctor just said thats normal for a fever but if it gets any higher call him. My poor baby just seems so hot and uncomfortable, he just lays on my chest all day. Any suggestions on how to comfort him and break this fever. I've been giving him tylenol and try to give him bottles of water but he just wants to be breastfed.

Answer 1

As your Doctor has informed you, 101ºF is NOT an alarmingly high temperature for an infant. If you think that he's "burning up" at 101ºF, either you have never had a child at 103º+ or you need to recheck that you are taking his temperature properly.

Breastfeeding is good for him with it's antibodies, as long as you don't mind the frequency of it (increase YOUR fluid intake, too)!

Give him a bath in tepid water (lukewarm) to help lower his body temperature. Use cool compresses at other times.

Little to no clothing -- an all-cotton onesie at most.

You could see if you can get him to drink PediaLyte or maybe he'll lick or suck on a PediaLyte freezer pop if you hold it and monitor him carefully so he doesn't bite off a big chunk -- or mash it up so it's like a smoothie and spoon feed it to him.

What appears to be causing the temperature? Is he stuffy? Could he be teething? Does he react as if he has any tenderness on any part of his body when you hold him or change his diaper?

Answer 2

It probably bothers you more than it bothers him. He probably just feels really tired. That really isn't a very high fever. You can try Motrin instead of Tylenol, or alternating the two. Also a luke warm washcloth rubbed on his body every few minutes might help. Personally I would let it be though, unless he's crying or moaning. Fever is the body's way of killing the germs that are making him sick. Get rid of the fever and it's a harder job for the body and might take longer for him to get well. I would take him to the Dr. if the fever lasts more than 3 days, is higher than 103 or is accompanied with signs of an infection other than just a general virus.

Good Luck and be patient. Your baby will be fine.

Answer 3

Just keep with the Tylenol and dress him lightly. The fever will break on its own when the virus has worked its way out of his system. It shouldn't take more than a day or two. Don't put him in a cool bath though as that could cause the fever to go higher.

Answer 4

Try giving him a cool bath not cold. and try to use Motrin along with the Tylenol. Tylenol only last for 4 hours and Motrin will last up to 6 or 8 read the bottle to be sure.

Answer 5

I found infant's Motrin to work best for my daughter when she has a fever. I used Tylenol when she had teething discomfort and minor aches and pains. One thing I always have in stock is Pedialyte frozen pops, just make sure he doesn't bite off huge chunks. Better yet, crush up the pops and feed it him as a slushy. Just as long as you keep the fever under control, keep him hydrated and comfortable he should do fine. Good luck.

Answer 6

Lukewarm baths seem to comfort my daughter when she has a fever (and I am talking 103 fever). Also alternate Tylenol and Motrin. Four hours after giving tylenol you can give motrin and six hours after that you can give tylenol. My doctor once said to alternate them every two hours and then called me right back and said the above.

Answer 7

1 layer of loose clothing and a tepid(warm) washcloth to help cool him. do not use cold he will get the shivers and that signals the body to up the fever. I can't remember if there is a infant Motrin but Motrin always works better than Tylenol.Don't forget to use you judgment and take him in when you think you should. Good luck.

Answer 8

Don't wrap him in blankets. You need to let the heat out, not hold it in. Give him a luke warm bath and dress him as you normally would... nothing extra. Use baby aspirin, and make sure you're keeping him hydrated. If he wants to be held, hold him. Other than that there really isn't a lot you can do unless the fever goes higher... and you don't want that to happen.

Answer 9

whenever my lil ones run a fever I find the best medicine is to keep them comfortable by letting them cuddle if they want. Anything to keep the fussing and crying down, this only seemed to make things worse and the loss of fluids from crying wasn't good.

If your baby will sit in the tub.. great.. if he just wants to be with you.. sit in the tub with him.. this will be soothing for him and will gradually bring the temp down.

lots and lots of liquids.. anything he likes..
my lil ones' loved Popsicles.

Keep the clothes as light as possible, but don't let him get a chill either.

Good luck and relax... fevers are part of childhood... it will pass soon.

Mom of 3 with #4 on the way..

Answer 10

keep breastfeeding becasue breast milk contains all the water an infant needs anyway. take off extra clothing and wipe him down with a cool cloth not cold through as this can make it worse, try having a nice lukewarm bath with him. it can be scary but your doctor is doing the right thing.