Dealing with common symptoms of illness in babies
Fever
A low-grade fever in a newborn infant baby can be a sign of a serious infection. Check the baby’s rectal temperature. You can help ease the fever at home by soothing the baby with fluids, giving him a lukewarm bath and dressing him in clothing that is lightweight. If it reaches 100.4 or higher for a baby below the age of 3 months and over 101 for children between 3 and 6 months old, call your doctor immediately. Your doctor will also advise you on a fever reliever that you can use but don’t use any medication if your child is below 3 months until your doctor approves it. Be on the lookout for other symptoms as well such as coughing, vomiting, lethargy, rash and ear pain.
Vomiting
Vomiting can cause dehydration so you must keep the child hydrated frequently with an electrolyte solution in small amounts. However if you infant doesn’t stop vomiting and also has a fever or the child of any age can’t keep fluids down, you should immediately call your doctor.
Diarrhea
If you notice that your child’s stool is watery, you shouldn’t ignore it. If left untreated, the child could be dehydrated or worse. For as long as the diarrhea continues, keep the child hydrated and if he has started taking solid foods, eliminate dairy, greasy and high fiber food for a while and see if it stops.
If the diarrhea doesn’t stop or get better within 24 hours, especially when the child is below 6 months old, call your doctor. You should also seek medical assistance if the child care presents other symptoms along with the diarrhea such as bloody or black stool, vomiting, abdominal pain and a fever equal to or higher than 101.4.
Rashes
Rashes such as diaper rash and eczema can be avoided or eased by changing diapers often, applying protective ointments, moisturizing the skin and avoiding harsh soaps and creams. If however the rash is severe and painful or is accompanied by other symptoms such as fever, blisters, diarrhea and vomiting, you should consult your doctor.
Cough
If your baby is coughing a lot whether a seal-like cough or accompanied by wheezing, a low or high fevers, or a whooping sound, don’t ignore the cough. A humidifier and fluids should help ease the coughing. If this doesn’t ease the symptoms, seek advice from your doctor. Over-the-counter cough medications should be avoided for children below 4 years old.
Stomach ache
Often shown by uncontrollable crying, spitting up and back arching, the pain often goes away but you may need advice from a doctor in case you want to give the child medicine. At times, you may need to look into any new foods you’ve introduced. However if the aches are accompanied by vomiting, high fever and lethargy, call your doctor.
Stuffy nose
If your child’s nose is stuffy, a common symptom of colds, don’t rush to use over-the-counter medicines if he is below 4 years. Thin out mucus with saline drops then suction it out of his nose using a bulb syringe.
Information on this website is not medical or dental advice, its for general information only. For more accurate medical and dental information please contact your pediatrician and dentist.