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Fever Reducers for Young Babies

kpprx1 • Nov 20, 2015

I’ve been there. A mom of two boys, 6 and 2, I stayed up many nights when they were down with fever. I know how you would feel when your baby’s body is boiling hot, too weak to move or even drink water. Should you call your doctor in the middle of the night or just give them some medicine? Then those Tylenol or Motrin bottles say ‘ask a doctor’ if your child is 2 years of age or younger, and you are at a loss.

Fevers are a sign that the body is fighting germs that cause infection. How to deal with it varies depending on your baby’s age and its body temperature. In general, for a child aged between 3 months and 3 years, you might want to avoid medicine if it is a low-grade fever (≤100.2°F [37.8°C]). If fever is ˃ 100.2°F (37.8°C) and the child is achy or fussy, try to give him or her some fever medicine. The table below shows when to call a doctor.

Child Age Call a doctor if the body temperature is
≤3 months ˃100.4 rectally
3 months to 6 months >101.0
6 months and older ≥103°F (39.4°C)
If 102°F (38.8°C) to 102.9°F (39.4°C), watch closely. Call a doctor if fever goes up or lasts for more than 2 days

You should also call a doctor if there is any one of the warning signs below, along with fever.

  • Constant vomiting or diarrhea
  • Dry mouth
  • Earache or pulling at ears
  • High-pitched crying
  • Pale appearance
  • Seizures
  • Severe headache
  • Skin rash
  • Sore or swollen joints
  • Sore throat
  • Stiff neck
  • Stomach pain
  • Swelling of the soft spot on an infant’s head
  • Unresponsiveness or limpness
  • Wheezing or problems breathing
  • Whimpering

 

What medicines are used to lower fever in young babies?  

  • Acetaminophen (Children’s or Infants’ Tylenol) relieves pain and lowers fever. The correct dosage depends on your child’s weight. Use the dosing chart below. The dosing below is based on the use of ‘acetaminophen 160mg/ml liquid’. Do not exceed 5 doses in 24 hours.
Weight Dose Weight Dose Weight Dose
6 to 11 lbs

 

 40mg or 1.25ml 12 to 17 lbs

 

 80mg or 2.5ml 18 to 23 lbs

 

 120mg or 3.75 ml
24 to 35 lbs

 

 160mg or 5ml 36 to 47 lbs

 

 240mg or 7.5ml 48 to 59 lbs

 

 

 320mg or 10ml
60 to 71 lbs

 

 400mg or 12.5ml 72 to 95 lbs

 

 480mg or 15ml 96+ lbs

 

 640mg or 20ml
  • Ibuprofen (Children’s Advil, Children’s Motrin) is another medicine that can be used to lower fever in children older than 6 months of age. Dosing below is based on the use of ‘ibuprofen 100mg/5ml liquid’. Repeat the dose every 6-8 hours as needed, but do not exceed 4 doses in 24 hours.
Weight Dose Weight Dose Weight Dose
12 to 17 lbs

 

 50mg or 2.5ml 18 to 23 lbs

 

 75mg or 3.75ml
24 to 35 lbs

 

 100mg or 5ml 36 to 47 lbs

 

 150mg or 7.5ml 48 to 59 lbs

 

 

 200mg or 10ml
60 to 71 lbs

 

 250mg or 12.5ml 72 to 95 lbs

 

 300mg or 15ml 96+ lbs

 

 400mg or 20ml

 

Points to remember about use of fever reducers

  • Don’t give acetaminophen to a baby under 3 months and ibuprofen to a baby under 6 months without a doctor’s approval.
    • Alternating these two medications every 4 hours is generally safe for several days.
    • Don’t give acetaminophen/ibuprofen to a child who’s taking other medicines unless directed by a doctor. The other medicine may also contain acetaminophen/ibuprofen, leading to overdose.
    • Never give aspirin to children younger than 18 years of age due to the risk of Reye’s syndrome.
    • The fever drugs are in no way a substitute for doctor’s advice. Call the pediatrician with any questions or concerns.

Other, non-medicinal tips to help a child with fever feel better

  • Give them plenty fluids to drink to prevent dehydration. Water, clear soups, popsicles and flavored gelatin are good choices.
  • As long as they are getting enough fluids, don’t force them to eat if they don’t feel like it.
  • Make sure they get plenty of rest.
  • Keep the room temperature at about 70°F to 74°F.
  • Dress them light. Overdressing can trap body heat, and further increase the body temperature.
  • Wet towels with lukewarm water, wring excess water off, and gently wipe on your child. Include all areas covering forehead, back, arms and legs. This helps take the heat off their body.

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