Fever in babies

Your sweetheart has a fever? Or just increased temperature after all? Or is he just a little warm because you just had such a great cuddle? Everything you need to know about fever, what you can do about it and when you should definitely see the doctor, you can learn here.

When does my baby have a fever?

The Normal body temperature of a healthy child is between 36.5 °C and 37.5 °C. From Elevated temperature is said to be between 37.6 °C and 38.5 °C. A temperature 38.5°C and above is then considered a fever. Everything Above 39.0 °C is a high fever.

Important: At Newborn one speaks off in the first 3 months also already 38 °C Of fever!

Please note that the Body temperature fluctuates during the day. In the morning it is usually 0.5 °C lower than in the evening. It is also important that you Circumstances when taking a fever you have to pay attention – if your Child just frolicked or is straining, the temperature can sometimes be significantly higher.

The same goes for clothing – has your Baby too much on, it can be that it has therefore higher temperature. So always think about it briefly if your baby feels very warm and then rather wait a bit until it makes more sense to take a fever :-).

What actually is fever?

Did you know that fever in itself is not a cold? no disease is? It is more likely the body’s fight against germs. What this brings? Quite simply, at a higher body temperature it is more difficult for bacteria and viruses to multiply.

Fever protects your baby’s body so from viruses and bacteria and is in itself first something good. To lower the fever "immediately" is therefore often not necessary – nevertheless, you should always keep an eye on it.

How to recognize a fever?

You are worried if your baby has a fever? Here we have for you the most important fever symptoms and ways how you can easily determine if your sweetheart has a fever.

Glassy eyes
Your baby’s eyes look tired, red and even glassy, as if he is about to cry.

Reddened cheeks
The cheeks are red and your baby’s face is glowing.

Listlessness
Normally your baby is the absolute whirlwind, but today nothing can excite him? He is querulous and absolutely whiny for no reason at all?

Loss of appetite
Your baby refuses milk or hardly wants to eat anything.

Cool and pale skin all over the body
While the head often looks almost like it is glowing, the body is cool and pale and may even feel a little damp.

Attention: Of course, it is possible that your baby has only some or even none of these symptoms and is even super active! Just rely a little on your gut feeling. If in doubt, it is better to take the temperature once more!

How to measure fever in babies correctly?

There are several ways to take your baby’s temperature. Please note – the most reliable way is to take a rectal temperature in your baby’s bottom!

Rectal (in the buttocks)
Before inserting the thermometer into the anus, make it a little moist – this way it won’t hurt your little darling. It is sufficient to insert only the tip of the thermometer. Do not forget – clean the thermometer thoroughly afterwards!

In the ear
With ear thermometers it is important that the measuring probe of the thermometer points in the direction of the eardrum. You can do this more easily if you pull your child’s ear a little backwards and upwards. Please note, that the measurement in the ear is not completely reliable.

In the mouth
It is only possible to take the temperature through the mouth when your little darling can keep his mouth closed and breathes safely through his nose. However, this can be difficult if the nose is blocked. Do not bite on the thermometer either. Suitable it is therefore best from an age of 5 years.

Under the armpit
measurement is usually very inaccurate, even if it is super simple. When you read the thermometer here, you have to add 0.5 degrees.

What to do when I have a fever?

Most babies are listless with fever and of course need first and foremost lots of love and affection. Apart from that, you should pay attention to the following:

• Keep him on bed rest
• Drink plenty of fluids! If the diaper is full, everything is ok.
• Do not dress baby too warmly – always check the neck!
• Bedding& Change towels
• If necessary. Offer easily digestible food
• Take a fever regularly

What do I put on my baby at night when he has a fever?

You fear dressing your child too cold or too warm. I understand that. But in case of fever – dress your baby a little too thinly so that the fever does not rise even higher.

Depending on the temperature it means of course something else. Therefore try to put on one layer less than you would otherwise do. And check the neck again and again at night!

At what point do I have to lower the fever?

I can absolutely understand that you would like to bring the fever down immediately. But as I have already explained to you, fever is first of all good for your baby. You should start with the following, to lower the fever:

• your baby seems very exhausted
• from 39 °C (measured rectally)

How to reduce fever without medication?

The fever needs to be brought down, but you want to avoid fever-reducing medication? Then I have a few tips for you here:

Calf wrap
Wrap damp, lukewarm cloths around your child’s calves if the legs, hands and feet are very warm. Be sure to put dry cloths on the calf wraps to help with water evaporation. This is how to remove the heat from your treasure! Change every 5 to 10 minutes!

Thin clothes
depending on the weather, make sure your baby wears less than you normally would. This allows the heat to soften!

Pulse wraps
Take wet washcloths and wrap them around your baby’s wrists.

cool the forehead
Especially the forehead glows enormously with your fever sparrow! Put a wet washcloth on the forehead – this does good and removes the heat.

Fever-reducing remedies such as fever juice, suppositories, etc. you should administer only with the agreement of the pediatrician!

What is three-day fever?

The three-day fever is Typical childhood illness. Children up to the end of their third year are particularly affected by this condition. The disease is mostly harmless. As with a normal fever, it is a viral infection. This is caused by the human herpes virus.

How can your child get infected? Simply by Droplet infection (sneezing, coughing etc).). But once your child has gone through a Lifelong immunity.

First signs are a very high fever. The fever stays for 3-4 days (hence the name). Just as suddenly as it comes, the fever is gone again. Subsequently, a fever will appear on the chest and back Rash with small pale red spots, which can spread over the whole body. After 2-3 days the rash disappears again and the infection is over.

Three-day fever cannot be treated per se, but is simply cured. if you suspect a three-day fever – especially because of the high fever – you should consult the pediatrician.

What is a febrile convulsion?

Febrile convulsions are a special reaction of the nervous system that can occur especially when the fever rises or falls quickly.

What are the signs?

• Roll your eyes
• Limbs first become stiff and then may begin to twitch
• Limbs can go completely limp.
• The area around the lips turns blue
• child loses consciousness for a short time.

A seizure may last for a few minutes, but usually remain without health consequences. Babies with febrile convulsions are usually normally developed and do not suffer from brain disease. If your darling suffers from a febrile seizure, you should do one thing above all – stay calm, as difficult as it seems to be.

What to do if my child suffers from a febrile seizure?

• Keep calm
• If possible, place your child in the recovery position
• remove hard objects from the direct vicinity, if necessary put blankets or pillows over them
• be careful not to hold your child too tightly – injuries can occur here as well
• if your darling vomits during the convulsion – make sure that he/she does not choke on it
• Do not shake your child under any circumstances – shaking trauma in babies and children can have serious consequences
• due to the danger of choking, your child should not drink or eat anything
• dial the emergency number (112)

To rule out a serious illness, your child should be examined by a doctor as soon as possible. The pediatrician will probably prescribe a so-called "emergency medicine" and explain its use to you in detail.

When does my baby need to see a doctor?

With fever you are often uncertain. If the fever does not last too long? Does my child react to the fever more than he should? In general – follow your gut feeling, it is always better to call the doctor once more. However, if you have these symptoms, you should definitely see a doctor:

• For babies under 3 months of age from 38°C
• If your baby’s temperature is above 39°C from 3 months
• The fever lasts longer than 3 days
• If your child is not taking any fluids or food and the diapers are empty
• In case of a febrile seizure
• The fever does not go down in spite of lowering agents
• When a febrile seizure or. the suspicion of three-day fever
• fever in connection with headache, diarrhea, vomiting, rash, heavy breathing, abdominal pain, listlessness

I hope that your little darling will get well soon and that you will get through the winter time well!