Fever in babies is a common condition that indicates that the body is trying to fight disease, and as a sign of a functioning immune system. However, you need to be careful if your newborn has a fever when he is under three months old. If left unchecked, this condition can be very dangerous for his health.
Many people feel that their baby has a fever just from feeling the baby's forehead warm from touch.
When having a fever, babies also usually show other symptoms, such as not wanting to breastfeed, difficulty sleeping, fussy, and not moving too much.
How to Check for Fever inNewborn baby
Fever in babies is a symptom that can worry parents. A newborn is said to have a fever when his body temperature reaches 38 degrees Celsius. The best way to find out your baby's temperature is to use an anal thermometer.
The thermometer that is inserted through the baby's anus is considered quite accurate in measuring the baby's body temperature. Before using, make sure the thermometer is smeared petroleum jelly. After that, insert the thermometer into the baby's anus to about 2 cm.
Wait for 2 minutes or until it beeps beeps. As much as possible avoid using mercury thermometers. Mercury-based thermometers can cause poisoning or hurt your little one if they break.
In addition to an anus thermometer, you can use a digital thermometer that is placed in your little one's armpit to find out his body temperature. If the thermometer results show that he has a fever, then you should immediately take him to the doctor.
Causes of fever in newborns and their treatment
The cause of fever in newborns is generally an infection. But in addition to infection, newborns can also experience fever due to dehydration, a side effect of vaccination, or stifling heat from wearing clothes that are too tight and covered. Babies who are too long exposed to the sun are also at high risk for catching a fever.
In order to find out the cause of the fever suffered by the baby, the doctor needs to do a thorough examination. This examination includes physical and supporting examinations, such as complete blood counts, urine tests, blood cultures, and X-rays. The results of the examination are used to determine the method of treating fever.
Not all babies are treated in the same way. For example, if the baby has a fever due to a bacterial infection, the doctor will give antibiotics. If your baby has a fever due to dehydration, then he needs to get more milk. And if there is severe dehydration, the doctor will give fluids through an IV.
Beware Baby Baru Lend Dmom on Uin vain Booh Tribs Month
Keep in mind, fever in babies under three months old can be a sign of a serious illness. Therefore, you should do the following when you know your little one has a fever:
- Immediately take your child to the doctor or to the nearest hospital emergency unit.
- Do not give fever-reducing drugs, except on the advice of a doctor.
- Do not bundle or swaddle your little one with blankets or excessive clothing.
- Make sure the room temperature is cool and comfortable for the baby, not too hot and not too cold.
If a newborn has a fever accompanied by other symptoms, such as shortness of breath, bluish lips or nails, yellow skin, convulsions, very weak, and does not produce tears when crying, immediately consult a pediatrician for treatment.
