Teething is a part of a baby's development into toddlerhood – when a baby's teeth start to poke through the gums, usually between four and seven months of age, the signs shouldn't be hard to spot. Crankiness, drooling and less interest in feeding are all classic symptoms of teething, it doesn't come without its share of aches and pains for all parties involved.
Teething fever is quite common when a baby is teething. Teething can raise a baby's body temperature, but only slightly. A fever of over 38.3 degrees Celsius is a sign that your baby is probably sick.
It is important to know which methods are the best to treat the teething fever of a baby. Here are some common mistakes and better alternatives to help your baby find relief.
Common Mistakes and Methods for Baby's Teething Fever
Mistake #1: Allow the room temperature to drop too low. This sounds like a good idea to make someone with a fever feel better, the temperature of a baby's room should always be between twenty and twenty two and a half degrees Celsius.
Better Alternative : To help baby feel better, give a lukewarm bath or dip a cloth in lukewarm water, rubbing and massaging baby's body with it. The best about this is that baby will feel the relief immediately and it is safe for baby as well.
Mistake #2: Giving your baby adult medication or aspirin. There are infant medications available for a reason. A baby should never be given adult medication, not even in small dosages. Always consult your doctor before giving your baby or toddler any medication for the first time. Young children are much more likely than adults to have adverse reactions to medication. Never give a baby aspirin, except if a doctor tells you to do so. Giving a baby aspirin can make a child susceptible to Reye's Syndrome, a rare but potentially fatal illness, according to Parent 24.
Better Alternative : News 24 has some suggestions on what to give your baby to reduce the fever. Be sure to check with your doctor first, and to read the dosage instructions to ensure you give your baby the right amount at the right times.
Mistake #3: Giving your baby cold water to drink. Even though it seems logical to give your baby something cold when his body temperature is up, there has been some debate over whether water is good for them when they are so young. Before babies are six months old, they get all the hydration from the breast milk or formula. Water will fill up the baby and they might suffer from malnutrition.
Better Alternative : Keeping a baby hydrated is definitely a good way to help them through a fever, but rather than giving the baby cold water, opt to breastfeed, or feed baby some baby formula.
In addition to these suggested alternatives, massaging a baby's gums with your finger can relieve some of the pain and help a baby sleep through the fever. Most importantly, stay calm. Teething fever is normal and normally doesn't last for more than a day. If the fever lasts for over two days, you should definitely call your pediatrician.
