Baby is running a fever - Please help?

Question

My 13 month old baby girl is running a fever. Last time I took her temp it was 101.8 under her arm. Then I went to see the ped this afternoon. She said my daughter seems to be fine and it's probably "just" a viral thing.
Is there anything I can do for my little one? She's never been sick and I am sooooo worried.
We just came back from the Keys last night when the fever started.
She's somewhat quiet today. No other symptoms though. I give her popsicles, Pediasure, water and breast milk and infant tylenol.

Answer 1

The best thing to do is keep her fever down, and keep her hydrated. As long as you do those two things, everything should be okay. If at any time she refuses to drink, you can cut up popsicles and pop them in her mouth. If she starts refusing all liquids, then a trip to the ER is in order.

Answer 2

My girl went through this around that age, too. Just keep her happy and hydrated. If there is any sign of being sick to her stomach, take it easy with the formula until it's settled.
When my girl had it her temp got quite a bit higher than that. You only need to worry if the meds (Tylenol & Motrin alternated) don't help, or if any other symptoms pop up.

Oh, and just so you are prepared...there is a common bug for kiddos this age called Rosiola (sp?) that causes a temp for several days followed by a rash that will start at the top and spread downwards. It won't bother the baby and will go away on its own. Just in case that's what this is, it's good to know so you don't worry when the rash comes.

Answer 3

Let me start out by saying that a 101.8 fever for a child her age is not high at all. so take a breather and try some of these things. :-)

- Plenty fluids is the key. ( water, pedialyte, diluted juice etc.) you could also try popsicle sticks

- Tylenol or Motrin alternating between the two. Tylenol ever 4 to 6 hrs and Motrin every 6 to 8 hrs. After 6 months of age you are able to use motrin if needed.

- Also it is not just the number of the fever that counts its how she is acting. If she has a high fever but is playing fine and looks happy then i wouldnt worry about it. but if its not that high and she looks really sick then i would have someone see her. If you feel that someone needs to see her that go with you Motherly Instinct. :-)

- Luke warm Baths : you dont want the fever to get high by giving cool or cold baths

- Watch for signs of dehydration : Dry mouth, sticky saliva, no tears, pudgy stomach( when you pinch it doesnt go back to normal that a sign of dehydration), watch urine output

- See your doctor if fever lasts longer than 3 days

- Take to ER if fever is high than 103.0

- If unsure about anything here double check with your Doctor.

Hope this helps ..... :-)

Answer 4

I have two kids and have seen this. I understand your concern. Of course, tell a dr. I think that they'll say this...if a child is acting unbothered...it is fine to give fluids and to get the fever down with tylenol. A warm bath wouldn't hurt either. If the child becomes dehydrated and lethargic then you have real cause for concern. 101 is not concerned much of a fever to some pediatricians. Definitely give tylenol (get the right dose from the dr.) He'll be fine. This is only the beginning. You will live too.

Answer 5

It is so hard the first time your baby gets sick, and if this is your first it is doubly hard. You are doing every thing you need to and should be doing for baby girl. 101.8 seems high to us, but at this age they can take fevers much higher with out problems.

You said she is quiet, so I'm assuming she may want to be held or cuddled more, but is otherwise herself. I'm also assuming she is drinking. If she does not want to eat 'solids' let it go until she wants them again. As long as she has 6-8 wet diapers a day (goes every 3-4 hours) and has tears when she cries she is hydrated.

If she wants to sleep - let her. If she gets off schedule or out of sync, you will be able to get it straightened out once the fever breaks.

If you have ANY questions or concerns - call her doctor - even if it's 2AM. This is what they are there for!

General Tips:
Keep her in diaper and t-shirt or onsie - keep as much clothing off as possible, but do not let her shiver.
Drink, drink, drink - give her just about anything she wants to keep her drinking.
Tylenol or Advil/Motrin based on weight every 6-8 hours.

When to call the doctor:
If the fever has lasted more than 3 days, call them back to see if they want to see her again.
Baby girl is not having enough wet diapers or tearless crying.
If the fever gets above 102 WITH Tylenol
If the fever get above 104 WITHOUT Tylenol

This is a hard time, but you both will get through this just great!

Just to let you know you are not alone - my #3 son tends to get viruses with high fevers – he’s 2. In February he set a new family record with 104.3 (102-103 with Motrin) and he A-OK - way not fun for mom and dad!

Answer 6

Sounds like your doing everything right, Sweetie somethimes when my boys were little (I have 3.) they for no apperant reason just run a fever it's something alot of babies do .I have used all the meds out there and the one that seems to work the best is infant motrin it's the closed thing to advil there is for a baby i still use advill for every child ailment and a dult not to be funny but this family is all advil or motrin and it gets rid of fevers quick 10 min. tops you should see a differance.Good luck and make sure you keep her well hydrated.. Be strong I know it's hard.

Answer 7

If you gave her the tylenol, that would make her comfortable, the popsicles are good too. You have done everything you'r e suppose to do, without going overboard. If she is comfortable, not screaming, or too groggy, whiny, and such, just let her be. Its really hard but yuo have done it all right. her body is fighting something, so a little bit of fever(warm) is an ok thing. If she were smokin hot, then you go call the Dr. and take the next steps.
You need to relax too!

Answer 8

Everything you are doing is correct* Another thing you can do is to bathe her in a warm/cool bath which will bring her temperature down. Every 4-6hrs give her the infant tylonol. If you find her temp is rising still and not coming down for long even with the tylonol...Definately bring her to the emerg. dept...to have her looked at again.
WHen my son was 5..he had a high fever, and it wasn't coming down, i took him to the docs, they also said a viral infection....i gave him popsicles,lots of fluids..he wasn't getting better so took him that night to emerg...apparently he had strep throat and that morning had his first needle at school...he ended up with blood poisioning and was in hospital for 5days.
So like I said...if the temp is NOt coming down and she's not looking right to you....bring her to emerg. Go with your instincts.
Try to continue giving her plenty of cool drinks hopefully it's just a cold/virus that seems to be going around, you'll have to let it run its' course. If she is coughing up or blowing out Green/Yellow phlem..take her to the docs again as the viral infection became a bacterial infection and she will then need antibiotics.
Keep on doing what you're doing and keep a close eye on her* Best Wishes*

Answer 9

101.8 isn't a high-grade fever, and it looks like you have the supplies to keep your little one hydrated. Your physician is probably right, but I know how horrifying it is to take your first born home and not be able to do anything. She just needs time and rest to get better.

Just make sure she is drinking and uriniating. My son's pediatrician said that I could alternate infant Tylenol and infant Motrin every 6 hours, but check with your doctor before doing this.

Some stores carry those cool strips you can stick on your little one's head, but a cool/cold damp cloth works about the same. I would just keep checking her temp to make sure it isn't getting higher, keep offering fluids and give lots of kisses and hugs. The kisses and hugs always made my little one feel better!

Answer 10

nope, sounds like your doing everything correct. If she is in any sort of pain, you might want to think about going out to get some infant ADVIL or MOTRIN instead---only because if you give it to her right before bed-time, it lasts 6-8 hours instead of the 4 hours tylenol does.

If she can do without any meds and still run only a low-grade fever---I would try to do that as fevers DO have a purpose...it is the body defending itself.

Good luck.