Hi. This is Kayleigh Cardona, pediatric RN, and today I’d like to discuss what you should do if your baby has a fever. In my experience as a pediatric nurse, I’ve taken care of lots of babies with fevers, and what you’re going to do for that fever is dependent upon their age.
Call a Pediatrician Immediately!
If they are two months or younger, you will need to first call your pediatrician. If it’s after hours, you’ll use their exchange or their after-hours number. They will likely have you admitted to the hospital if the fever is 100.4 or greater or just really close to that.
Once admitted to the hospital, the doctors are going to run a series of tests looking for infection, and they will also likely start antibiotics. If everything is in the clear, you’ll be sent home. If not, they’ll decide on the appropriate course of action.
Pediatrician May Recommend Medication
If your baby is older than two months of age, the pediatrician may ask to see them in the office, or they may just ask you to monitor your baby at home and treat the fever with either Tylenol or Motrin. If they are under six months old, they can only do Tylenol. Once they’re older than six months, they can do Motrin.
Most pediatricians today are recommending to choose one or the other and stick to that to avoid accidentally giving your baby too much medication.
Manage Your Baby’s Fever Along with Your Pediatrician
As I mentioned earlier, it’s really important that if your baby’s fever stays over 100.4 to seek out a pediatrician to help your baby ASAP! Usually, a fever is just viral, and it’ll run its course and go away, and the pediatrician is able to work with you and just manage that from home.
You’re doing a great job, moms. Good luck. Being a mom is hard, hard work, but it’s also the best work, and you guys are doing a great job. Hang in there!
