What should I do if my four-month-old baby has a fever?

Our twins are now three and a half years old and have had high fevers twice so far: the causes were childhood exanthema and herpangina respectively. So I actually have a lot of experience in caring for children with high fever – after all, every time we face the problem is double, ✖️2… Once the baby has a fever, we parents are always too anxious, especially novice parents, it is easier In a hurry. I still remember that when we had the first fever, the whole family took the baby to the emergency room at four o\’clock in the morning. I cried nervously because I was worried about \”burning out the brain\” and \”causing pneumonia\”… But later we also slowly learned: In fact, As long as the baby is in good mental condition and the body temperature is below 38.5°C, there is no need to worry too much. Parents can physically cool the baby at home without rushing to take medicine. Even if the baby is not obviously uncomfortable, there is no need to cool down. Let’s first correct a misunderstanding that we have also fallen into: covering up sweat when you have a fever. To cool down the baby, the most important thing is \”heat dissipation\”: only by dissipating heat can the baby cool down, and only by cooling can the baby be comfortable. Including physical cooling, including wearing light and breathable clothes for the baby, the purpose is to dissipate heat. Especially for fevers caused by colds and colds, in most cases, as long as the heat can be dissipated normally, it will be fine. But I don’t know why, but subconsciously we always follow an “old” fever care method: sweating. The adults drink ginger soup and the children cover themselves with quilts, and they are always warned: \”Don\’t let the children shine!\” In fact, this is wrong. Covering the sweat will not only fail to reduce fever, but may even accelerate the rise of the baby\’s body temperature. Let’s go back to physical cooling. There is only one principle of physical cooling: to allow the baby\’s body to quickly dissipate heat, thereby achieving the purpose of lowering the body temperature. Generally speaking, we can achieve the physical cooling effect at home by using the following methods: 1. Warm and wet compress, that is, soak a towel in water of about 35°C, take it out, twist off the water, and apply it on the forehead every 10 to 15 minutes. Replace every minute. 2. Warm water scrubbing. You can try wiping the baby\’s whole body with warm water, focusing on the armpits, neck, groin and other places with rich blood vessels, until the baby\’s body temperature drops. If you are worried about your baby having a severe fever, you can also consider giving your baby a bath if the baby\’s body temperature does not exceed 38.5°C and in addition to fever, there is no other discomfort such as dizziness, nausea, vomiting, etc., and the baby is in a relatively good mental state. But be careful not to make your home too cold (such as in winter). The room temperature should be controlled at 24-26°C and the water temperature at 37-39°C. You should also avoid taking too long a bath. After all, the purpose of bathing your baby at this time is just to cool down; after washing, Finally, you should also pay attention to keeping your baby warm and hydrated. Of course, if conditions do not allow it, or parents themselves are not sure, it is more prudent to try to use cooling methods other than bathing. 3. Apply antipyretic patch. In fact, the principle of antipyretic patch is similar to the above warm and wet compress, except that it is more convenient to use and does not need to be replaced frequently after 4-8 hours of use. The only difference is that if the baby\’s body temperature does not exceed 38.5°C, it is not recommended to use the antipyretic patch directly. And when the body temperature returns to normal level, you should stop using itUse antipyretic patches. Another thing is: If the baby has a history of febrile convulsions, antipyretic patches should not be used. 4. Covering the fontanel is suitable for babies before one and a half years old. Because the baby\’s fontanel is not completely closed before one and a half years old, if the baby has a fever at this time, parents can try to cover the baby\’s front fontanel with the palm of their hands for about 15-30 minutes after the baby falls asleep, until the baby\’s head sweats slightly. It can also achieve a cooling effect. 5. Rub the soles of the feet and limbs. Start rubbing slowly from the soles of the baby\’s feet, then rub to the calves, hands, arms, and back. Then rub the baby\’s two little ears to warm them, and finally rub the Baihui point. This will also Let the baby sweat and the body temperature will drop accordingly. 6. Soak your baby’s feet in hot water. You can also soak your baby’s feet in warm water with a temperature of about 40°C. The water should cover the ankles. Pay attention to stroking the baby\’s little feet during the process, which will help dilate blood vessels and reduce the discomfort caused by fever. However, this method is not suitable for 5-month-old babies who are not very good at sitting, especially when the baby is irritable or even depressed due to fever. In short, all the above physical cooling methods can be declared successful when the baby\’s fever temperature is getting lower and lower, and the fever interval is getting longer and longer. Parents can also slowly feel at ease. However, no matter how many methods there are, we have one point. You must know: Physical cooling is not a treatment, the purpose is just to make the baby\’s body temperature drop and make him feel more comfortable. If the baby\’s temperature exceeds 38.5°C, the simplest, safest and most effective way to cool down is to seek medical advice promptly and take antipyretic drugs reasonably in conjunction with other treatment methods under the doctor\’s advice. Scientific parenting knowledge: The complete video collection of Infant and Child Home Care Encyclopedia. In addition, in addition to keeping warm when your baby has a fever, you should also pay attention to the following small details: drink plenty of water; ensure adequate rest; eat liquid, nutritious, light, and easy-to-digest food. . I wish all babies can grow up healthily, safely and happily!