When your baby is feeling under the weather

As a mom you already worry about your little ones, of course it is completely natural as a parent, but when they start to feel unwell you will be even more concerned! So here are some tips to look out for if you think they are not well and need to be seen by a doctor.

 

Check their temperature

Generally a normal baby temperature is considered to be between the ranges of 35.5 and 38 degrees Celsius, depending on how you take their temperature, so as a general rule to remember, you could say that anything over 38 degrees Celsius is considered to be high. You should be able to tell by touch whether your baby is feeling hotter than usual, based on what feels normal for your child, as every baby is different.

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It is a good idea to ensure you have a digital thermometer at home and a reliable old-fashioned strip one, which does not have to rely on batteries. The digital thermometer will be more accurate in terms of the temperature reading, whereas the strip one, which you just place over your baby’s forehead for a short time is always handy to have as it will still indicate whether there is a high temperature, in case your digital one is low on battery or malfunctioning.      

 

 Keep Calm and Carry On

Try to remain calm and vigilant, as getting more stressed will probably have a negative effect on your baby’s well being. They are most likely just crying out because it is their way of communicating with you, especially as they are not at the talking stage yet. Try to settle them down for a sleep and keep an eye on them by either popping back into the room or sitting by a baby monitor in another room so that you can hear them if they start to cry and are restless and need assistance.

 

Snuggle and cuddle them even more

If your baby does turn out to have a high temperature, this does not immediately mean that it is something life threatening. It could be that it is just fighting off an infection like we would do as adults when we feel under the weather. But of course, if you feel that something does not feel right, then you would consult a medical professional for more advice.

Things that you could do to ease the high temperature could be ensuring they drink even more fluids, whether it is breastfeeding or from the bottle. It is a good idea not to overdress them in layers of baby clothing or too many blankets. Ensure the room is well ventilated and not too stuffy either. If you have a cooling fan, that could be useful too in order to circulate the air. Comfort them if they are crying more than usual. Any excuse for extra cuddles with your little one cannot be a bad thing either!

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