If your baby is suffering from a fever or cold, the answer to “who are you gonna call” is definitely not Ghostbusters, but “cold busters” – the pediatrician, that is. However there is really no need to make that frantic phone call to schedule a doctor’s appointment in most cases, as simple home remedies can do the trick. So before you rush to the pediatrician, read these fast facts about infantile colds and fevers and tips on when you should call a doctor for further assistance.
First, most doctors don’t consider a fever under 100°F a fever at all, unless your baby is under two months old, in which case you should seek medical treatment with any fever. And you wouldn’t need to take your baby to a doctor, unless the fever is more than 102°F and/or it is making your baby feel very uncomfortable. However, any fever which reaches 105° rectally, or a fever accompanied by signs of dehydration (infrequent urination, sunken fontanel, dry lips), or a feverish baby who has a stiff neck, is limp or has purple spots on the skin, should be treated by a professional immediately.
Bathing your baby with lukewarm water, using compresses or utilizing other ways to cool your baby down can alleviate symptoms of a mild fever. If somebody told you that the best thing you can do for baby is to keep her snug as a bug in a rug if she has a fever, then she probably is the proverbial old wife telling tales. Feed her lots of fluids, and keep a watch on her. Unless your baby is having difficulty sleeping, over the counter medication is best avoided in most cases. Fever is the body’s way of fighting infection, so, when possible, it’s best to let it do its job.
Rest is the best medicine for minor cases of the sniffles. However, your child may be unable to rest comfortably unless you treat the cold symptoms. To this end, vapor can be very helpful for your baby, as either vapor bath treatments or a vaporizer can help towards decongestion. But for instances wherein your child feels really uncomfortable due to her cold, then it’s all fine and dandy to use over the counter cold medication. If the dosage recommendations on the label are ambiguous, then you should see a doctor and ask him for his recommendation for your child.
Colds are nothing to sneeze about, no pun intended, as it takes about a week tops to cure them, but any symptoms beyond one week might be related to an ear infection. This usually would mean your baby would cry for no good reason (especially if lying down), or she might tug her ears incessantly and toss and turn frequently while trying to get rest. You’ll want to ring up your doctor and set up an appointment if your baby suffers from the above symptoms. The pain associated with ear infections can be quite an ordeal for your child, and the symptoms quite deceptive at times.
Talk to your pediatrician regarding his recommendations for treating colds and fevers, and when he believes you should call or come in. However, always listen to your gut feel, as this motherly instinct should kick in the moment you believe there is a bigger problem to deal with.
We find the best budget airlines singapore deals available. Enjoy quality travel with garuda singapore.