When our baby is battling a fever, we, the parents, want to do every sort of thing possible in our power. Fever is a common reason of worry for parents. Interestingly, fever is not a bad thing; it strengthens the immunity of your baby. But, still all of us wants know how to reduce fever in a baby naturally?
Even though fevers aren’t something to be terrifying, but the underlying cause can pose a threat. Young infants are prone to such threats that require treatment. The good thing is you can take down the fever using some natural and effective home remedies.
So, if you want to avoid self-medication and reduce the baby’s fever at home, then keep reading this article. We will briefly discuss some tips with natural products that can come in handy.
How To Identify A Fever?
The normal temperature stays between somewhere 98.4-98.6 F, and the temperature can change from morning to evening. It is important to know the causes of fever, viral or bacterial infections like ear infections, urinary infections, or upper respiratory infections are very common for babies.
However, it can also occur because of the baby’s response to any vaccine or Immunization.
Babies under three months with a fever need Immediate treatment in order to diagnose the cause.
If the temperature is around 100.4 F (38°C) or higher when taken rectally, it can be considered a fever. If it is 99°F (37.2°C) or higher when measured by other methods.
6 Natural Ways To Reduce Fever In A Baby?
Many natural and home remedies can be used to reduce the fever in your baby. You can easily follow these methods and bring down the fever without taking any drugs or resorting to any doctor.
Cold Compress
This is an ancient trick, passed from generation to generation. The cold compress is an effective method of lowering the fever.
You need to cool your baby’s body you can apply cold water for this, but not frozen and this water must be placed in strategic places.
First of all, put a wet washcloth on your baby’s forehead. The water from the washcloth will eventually evaporate from your baby’s skin, bringing the fever out of the body. Keep continuing the process.
You can try a damp washcloth to sponge areas such as armpits, hands, feet, and groin in order to reduce the body temperature. Giving your baby a sponge bath will help him relax and reduce his body temperature.
This will also help your baby sleep well, which is very necessary for recovery.
Breast Milk
Breast milk is an important source of nutrition for the baby. A study of 2016 published in breastfeeding medicine found that exclusive breastfeeding against partial breastfeeding of infants for less than a month reduces the chances of neonatal fever-related hospitalization.
Breast milk can be easily digested, and it will keep the baby hydrated, which is necessary for quick recovery. If your baby refuses to breastfeed during fever, try a different nursing method. Try to keep your baby calm in a comfortable position while breastfeeding.
Giving Your Baby A Ginger Bath
You can also treat your baby by giving him a ginger bath during fever. Mix about 2-3 tablespoons of ginger powder in lukewarm water. Now, give your baby a good bath in it.
This ginger bath will increase the sweating in your baby, which will flush out all the impurities of the baby. This is one of the common and effective methods to reduce fever in infants.
Give Your Baby More Hydration.
Increasing fluid intake if your baby is suffering from fever is very important. This will help them recover the fluid lost due to sweating and fever. This prevents dehydration in your baby, which will ensure faster recovery of your baby.
Your baby might refuse to take a considerable amount of fluid at a time, so try to give small amounts more often. Also, try an oral hydration solution for babies younger than six months. Apart from oral hydration, you can also provide your baby with cold milk, ice pops, and fruit juices.
Apple Cider Vinegar
If your baby is less than a year old, you can try this effective apple cider vinegar method. Apple cider vinegar is known for drawing the heat out of a body, which will help reduce body temperature.
A 2012 study showed that vinegar compress works as a medicine when you need to lower a patient’s body temperature.
Add ¼ cup of white vinegar and mix with lukewarm water. Then, soak a washcloth into the solution, and wire out the excess liquid. Use the washcloth to give your baby a nice little sponge bath. Keep repeating the process.
Dress Comfortably
Often we parents make the mistake of dressing our sick baby with layers of extra cloth or blankets. Honestly saying, this is the last thing to do for an infant. Stop doing this to your infant during fever.
This will not bring the fever down; rather, it will make things more critical. Infants can’t cope with the temperature well, so when you bundle them with extra cloth, it will be much harder to bring down the heat in their bodies.
So, better for you to dress your baby with a lightweight cloth or one layer of cloth. If necessary, use a light blanket over your baby when sleeping. Also, make sure your baby is in a comfortable room.
About Sleeping in Diaper
During fever time, one of the important matters is using diapers. You have to be careful about using diapers during fever time. In this regard, Whenever you put on a diaper, you should be careful that the diaper is clean, dry and not so tight.
Moreover, you should comes to know which things to consider during baby with fever sleep in diaper.
Additional Tips
These are some additional tips you need to keep in mind while trying to bring down your baby’s fever.
- Take regular temperature checkups of your baby and write them down in a notepad.
- Please keep them in your eyesight even at night.
- Monitor their behaviour and any sign of rashes or dehydration, then quickly consult a doctor.
- Never send your baby to a daycare.
- Always use a measuring device while giving medicine.
- Vaccinate him regularly
- Avoid using a mercury-filled thermostat.
Last Words
It can become very stressful for every parent when their child suffers from fever. So, it’s necessary to address the underlying cause and treat it accordingly.
We have described some effective methods which can help you to reduce the fever in your child’s body. But, if you don’t see changes in your child’s health even after following the methods, consult a doctor as soon as possible.
