Do You Let Your Baby Cry With Fever Sick
My son has e'er been a happy, easygoing kid. But at four months, Samuel was really cranky for a few days. I called the pediatrician's function, and the nurse said it sounded like teething. That, though, didn't seem correct, so I asked to come in for a doctor's take. I felt awkward. Subsequently all, I'd been a mom for a fraction of this nurse'south career. Who was I to second-guess someone with so much experience?
What I didn't consider was that I'd adult my own expertise on Samuel. I could differentiate his feed-me wails from his cuddle-me whimpers and his I'm-so-sleepy sobs. Turns out, he wasn't teething. He had an ear infection, 1 nosotros were able to grab and treat early.
Indeed, parents tin can help docs diagnose properly. "To understand when a babe is sick, you accept to empathize what he's like when he's well—and that'due south something a parent knows all-time," says Paul Horowitz, M.D., a pediatrician in Santa Clarita, California. Follow this guide to common babyhood illnesses, how to care for them, and when to encounter the doctor.
Fever
This is a sign of an underlying problem rather than an illness on its own. "The body raises its temperature considering the enzymes that fight infection work better at higher temperatures," Dr. Horowitz says. A fever can be related to an ear infection, a common cold, the flu, or it can be a reaction to a vaccine. Feverish kids are lethargic and irritable.
How to care for: Some parents have "fever phobia" and want to take their kids to the doctor for the slightest increase in temperature. Simply low-course fevers (101 degrees or below) typically aren't dangerous. Give baby Infants' Tylenol, undress her, encourage her to potable fluids, and breast-stroke her in tepid water. "Simply wiping her down could lower her fever past a degree or two," says Christopher Tolcher, Md, a pediatrician in Agoura Hills, California.
When to phone call the doc: If your baby is a newborn (iii months or younger) and has even a fever of 100.four or college, if your child is younger than 1 twelvemonth and has a fever of 102 degrees or college, if a child has a fever of 104 degrees or higher, or if the fever (even a low-grade one) lasts more than than three days. Drastic changes in behavior—such as your child's becoming very lethargic—are also cause for business organisation.
The Common Cold
'Tis the season for sniffling. Young children get six to eight colds a yr, primarily during fall and winter. Symptoms (a stuffy or runny nose and sneezing, coughing, and sometimes a fever) usually build for two to three days, peak for three to five, and then subside.
How to care for: Avert cough or cold meds, simply requite him Infants' Tylenol for fever. Dry air worsens congestion, so run a humidifier in Babe's room while he sleeps. If he's not drinking lots of breast milk or formula, give him water or, if your child is over 1, an electrolyte potable, like Pedialyte.
When to call the physician: If your sniffling babe is a newborn, or if he has a high fever.
The Flu
This very contagious virus travels quickly through daycares and families. An infected baby volition be cranky and will lose involvement in playing or eating. Then she'll develop a fever followed by a runny or stuffy olfactory organ and a cough. A flu-related fever can last three to seven days, and kids tin can continue to experience cranky for a few days after that.
How to treat: Treat your child equally if she has a cold: Give her enough of liquids and watch out for severe cough or breathing problems. To prevent a future bout, become your child vaccinated, which experts recommend for all kids over vi months.
When to call the doctor: If Baby is a newborn and sick, if it's flu flavour and your child spikes a fever, or if symptoms don't improve within five days.
Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV)
This sounds scarier than it is. It's a common virus affecting the lungs and breathing passages. Preemies are especially vulnerable because their airway and immune organization aren't completely adult. It mostly begins like a cold does; by twenty-four hour period three, a strong cough and wheezing-like breathing brainstorm. Symptoms recede after a few days, only the cough can linger for upward to two weeks. Kids who have a bad episode have an increased risk of to developing asthma.
How to Treat: Use a humidifier. Also give him Infants' Tylenol and extra fluid. Cool air can calm irritated airways: place him in front of an open fridge for a infinitesimal.
When to call the md: If your child is a newborn and sick, shows signs of dehydration, if peel, lips, or tongue announced grayness or blue, or if he has astringent nonstop coughing or problem breathing. "Notice if he'southward using extra muscles to exhale," Dr. Horowitz says. "Take off his shirt. If the spaces between his ribs go sucked in with each breath and his nostrils are flaring, telephone call your md correct away."
Ear Infection
Baby body language is tricky because sleepy kids oft rub their ears. Only if she tugs her ears and too has a stuffy olfactory organ and a fever, an ear infection might exist the culprit. Infants are especially prone to these.
How to Care for: Some infections articulate up on their own. "To avoid the overuse of antibiotics, we've gotten less aggressive about treating ear infections," Dr. Horowitz says. But a doctor will prescribe an antibody to relieve ear pain. Y'all can also give baby Infants' Tylenol to assist her sleep.
When to phone call the md: If you doubtable an infection. "The just mode to diagnose is for your dr. to await in your child's ear," Sue Hubbard, M.D., a Dallas pediatrician. "One mean solar day the ear tin look normal, and the side by side it might exist infected. Requite information technology a few days to meet if symptoms better. If they don't, visit your doctor again." A astringent, untreated infection tin can lead to a ruptured eardrum, and repeat ear infections can lead to hearing loss.
Diarrhea
Changing diapers—especially if they're runny—is not one of parenthood'due south joys. Watery and frequent bowel movements are often caused by a virus; but a bacterial infection, allergy, food intolerance, or medicine could also be to blame.
How to treat: Diarrhea usually lasts five to ten days. Dehydration is the primary concern, and then give baby lots of fluid. Is he also airsickness? Wait 30 minutes after he throws up to offer small, frequent doses of an electrolyte drink. Start with a tablespoon, slowly increasing the dose over fourth dimension.
When to telephone call the doctor: If your sick infant has a loftier fever, exhibits signs of dehydration (fewer wet diapers, sluggishness, skin that's not as elastic as usual), or if in that location is whatsoever blood or pus in the stool.
Conjunctivitis
Known equally pinkeye, this condition makes your child'southward eyes look ruby and puffy. It's an inflammation of the eye'southward mucous membranes and unremarkably affects both eyes at once but sometimes starts in one eye but. The cause can be a bacterial or viral infection: yellow or dark-green drainage signals bacterial; no tearing or pus indicates viral. Another style to differentiate: viral infections usually come with cold symptoms. Both are very contagious and spread quickly.
How to treat: A viral infection usually clears up on its own within a week. Continue infant's eye area clean by gently washing it with warm h2o. If the infection is bacterial, your doctor volition treat information technology with an antibiotic eyedrop. For either infection type, a warm compress will make your baby feel better.
When to call the doctor: As soon equally symptoms appear. Consult a physician to ensure the crusade isn't bacterial and to get antibiotics if needed.
UPDATE: A previous version of this story recommended having babies slumber on an incline or slight acme to help with the common cold or RSV. However, the American University of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends that a baby should e'er sleep flat on their back, with no incline.
Originally published American Infant mag.
All content, including medical opinion and whatsoever other health-related data, is for informational purposes only and should non exist considered to exist a specific diagnosis or treatment program for any individual situation. Utilize of this site and the information contained herein does non create a physician-patient relationship. Always seek the straight advice of your own doc in connectedness with any questions or issues you lot may have regarding your own health or the health of others.
Source: https://www.parents.com/baby/health/sick-baby/what-to-do-when-baby-gets-sick-7-solutions/
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