How to Bring Down a Baby’s Fever & At-Home Treatment Tips | TYLENOL® (2024)

FAQs

How to Bring Down a Baby’s Fever & At-Home Treatment Tips | TYLENOL®? ›

Offer soft foods often and in small amounts but do not force them to eat. Give sponge baths or let your child soak in a tub. Water should be lukewarm, not too hot or cold. Use a wash cloth to sponge the water over your child's body.

Offer soft foods often and in small amounts but do not force them to eat. Give sponge baths or let your child soak in a tub. Water should be lukewarm, not too hot or cold. Use a wash cloth to sponge the water over your child's body.

Give them a lukewarm sponge bath (but be sure to stop if your child starts to shiver). Ensure they're drinking lots of liquids so that they stay hydrated. Dress them in lightweight clothing and lower room temperatures. Allow them to rest – in most cases, you shouldn't wake a sleeping child to give them fever medicine.

Things you should not do:

Don't wake your child up to give them fever medicine. Don't ever give aspirin to your child. Don't give fever medicine to a baby under 3 months old, unless told to by a doctor. Don't use ibuprofen for babies less than 6 months unless told to by a doctor.

Self-treatment suggestions for fever

Take paracetamol or ibuprofen in appropriate doses to help bring your temperature down. Drink plenty of fluids, particularly water. Avoid alcohol, tea and coffee as these drinks can cause slight dehydration. Sponge exposed skin with tepid water.

Acetaminophen (Tylenol) or ibuprofen (Motrin) are two of the most common. Tylenol is safe to give at any age, but Motrin should not be used in children under six months of age. Give appropriate doses of these medications based on weight.

Placing a cool, damp washcloth on your forehead and the back of your neck can help your fever symptoms feel better. You might also want to give yourself a sponge bath with cool water, focusing on high-heat areas like your armpits and groin. Normally, this method, known as tepid sponging, is done for about 5 minutes.

Is it OK for baby to sleep with fever? ›

If your baby is younger than three months old and has a fever, call the after-hours line to speak with a nurse or physician about what to do next. If your child is three months or older, try to make them comfortable. If they're sleeping, let them sleep. If they're thirsty, give them something to drink.

In general, call the doctor if your child is: younger than 3 months old with a rectal temperature of 100.4°F (38°C) or higher. 3 months or older with a temperature higher than 102.2°F (39°C) any age but has a health problem like cancer or sickle cell disease and has a fever.

Infants younger than 3 months of age whose temperature reaches 100.4°F (38°C) or higher should be evaluated by a doctor because fevers in infants can indicate a serious illness. In kids between 3 months and 3 years of age, a fever of 102.2°F (39°C) or higher requires a call to your pediatrician.

In general, call the doctor if your child is: younger than 3 months old with a rectal temperature of 100.4°F (38°C) or higher. 3 months or older with a temperature higher than 102.2°F (39°C) any age but has a health problem like cancer or sickle cell disease and has a fever.

Cold compress: Placing a cool, wet washcloth on your child's head can draw the fever out and help your baby rest. Fluids: To prevent dehydration and aid the body in cooling, give your child plenty of fluids, including water, clear soups, popsicles or yogurt.