Feeding, changing, bathing, dressing, and everything we do with a baby comes with hundreds of questions. All the parents pass through this “I don’t know what I am doing” phase when a baby is born. There is nothing to be ashamed of these feelings as looking after a young human is far from being easy. The difficulty of this mission doubles when your baby gets sick. A baby needs extra attention when they are having a cold, fever, or other illness.
When your baby is having a fever, you will be tempted to bundle him several layers before putting him to sleep. Nobody can tell whether it will be too cold, too hot, or the just-right temperature for your baby after wrapping many layers around them. Being bundled in too many clothes can even worsen the fever of your baby. Then how should you dress your baby to sleep when he has a fever? Keep reading to know more about surviving a night with a sick baby.
CONTENT
1. What can cause fever in babies?
2. What should my baby wear to bed with a fever?
3. When to be concerned about the fever of my baby?
1. What can cause fever in babies?
Most of the times babies get a fever as a result of an infection. The immune system of the baby is developing in the first year of their life. So they will get sick frequently until their first birthday and it is not a reason to be concerned. The mother will be passing her immunity to the baby during the pregnancy and the breastfeeding period. After that, the baby has to grow an immune system of his own and it will take some time. Until then, there will be several sick days a month.
Your baby might experience a slight increase in his temperature while teething too. This is not going to be a high fever that needs a visit to the pediatrician or any other treatment. In most cases, it will stay below 100.4 degrees of Fahrenheit, the territory of fever. Comfort your baby with home remedies such as offering teething rings, breastmilk popsicles, or cold washcloths.
You can expect a mild fever below 100.4 degrees of Fahrenheit in your baby after a vaccine. Medical experts advise parents and caregivers to be vigilant on post-vaccination symptoms such as fever from a period between 12 to 48 hours from the vaccine. If your baby has a fever that exceeds 102 degrees of Fahrenheit, call your pediatrician immediately.
2. What should my baby wear to bed with a fever?
Hold your temptation to bundle up your baby with several layers of clothes when he has a fever. Remember that it could make the baby’s fever worse. It is always recommended to dress them in lightweight, breathable clothing. A cotton dress is a great option, and a swaddle can also be suggested. Giving your baby a blanket is a choice you make and if you are already giving him a blanket, use a light, breathable blanket.
It is not recommended to put your baby in fleece clothes unless it is very cold. Young babies will be swaddled after being dressed in fleece clothe which is going to be too hot for them. Excessive heat can increase the risk of SIDS and it is a situation that we need to avoid at all costs. Whatever the cloth your baby wears to bed with a fever, you need to check his temperature and take necessary precautions accordingly.
3. When to be concerned about the fever of my baby?
- For babies below three months of age
Until your baby passes the age of three months, you have to be extremely cautious about his health. The baby’s immune system is not strong enough at this age so he will need medical intervention to fight an infection or other disease. Discuss with your pediatrician or health care provider about the steps you should take in an event of an emergency like a high fever.
If your baby is eight weeks or younger and has a rectal temperature that exceeds 100.4 degrees of Fahrenheit, it is an emergency that you should seek immediate medical attention. The babies who are younger than three months but are above seven weeks should be taken to a pediatrician in the upcoming hours if they have a rectal temperature of 101 degrees of Fahrenheit.
- For babies older than three months
100.4-101 degrees of Fahrenheit: This is not a fever to worry about. The slight fevers are common among babies more than you think. A mild viral infection or a vaccine that your baby took a few hours ago can be the reason for this slight rise in body temperature. Do not panic and treat your baby with an appropriate dosage of a fever reducer.
If you do not have a fever reducer prescribed by your doctor but your baby has a slight fever now, call and seek advice. Make sure you discuss and agree on a fever reducer at your next visit to the pediatrician. It will make the life lot easier for you. After giving the fever reducer, keep checking the body temperature of your baby until you are sure that the fever is gone.
102-103 degrees of Fahrenheit: With a temperature at this level, you need to put your baby in a dress that is cool and breezy. Contact your pediatrician and explain the symptoms of your baby so you can avoid an unnecessary trip to the pediatrician if he confirms that it is not a reason to worry. Your pediatrician will probably recommend a dosage of a fever reducer like Motrin or Tylenol) and continuing to take the baby’s temperature till the fever goes away.
104 degrees of Fahrenheit or higher that comes down with medication: If your baby has a fever of 104 degrees of Fahrenheit or higher but it quickly comes down to 100 or 101 degrees with a dosage of a fever reducer, it is not necessarily a medical emergency but still cannot be neglected. If you are sure that your baby is comfortable when the fever comes down and you can keep the temperature down till the morning, you can choose to wait to call your doctor the next day. But if your baby is uncomfortable even after the recommended dosage of a fever reducer, you have to consult your pediatrician immediately.
104 degrees of Fahrenheit or higher that do not come down with medication: If your baby has a fever that won’t come down to 101 or 102 degrees of Fahrenheit with a dosage of a fever reducer or fevers that rise as high as to 106-106 degrees demand immediate medical attention. Consult your pediatrician as soon as possible and take advice about the next step you should take.