Disclaimer: This is not a medical advice. Ensure to consult your Doctor on the proper thing to do.
Fever in kids is often a sign that their little bodies are hard at work fighting an infection. While we hate to see our children uncomfortable, fever is an uncomfortable experience for kids, too. For these reasons, many parents try to lower their child’s fever without using medication.
You might be trying to reduce the fever without medication, or your child might be slightly feverish, and you don’t want to give them a full dose of acetaminophen or ibuprofen. No matter the case, there are several easy, natural ways to lower a fever in kids. Let’s take a look at these methods and discover how to lower fever in kids naturally.
Today, we’ll share a variety of ways to lower a fever in children naturally and without medicine. We’ll also provide additional tips on what to do if your child has a fever and offer other ways to make them more comfortable.
In most cases, these methods will help your child feel more comfortable and may help lower their fever. However, they might not cure your child’s fever entirely.
If your child’s fever is high, persistent, or accompanied by other concerning symptoms, it’s best to contact your doctor or another medical professional.
Here’s how to lower a fever in kids naturally:
How to Bring Down Fever in Kids Without Medication
1. Keep Them Hydrated
Hydration is essential for anyone with a fever, but it’s especially important for kids. As your child sweats from their fever, they can become dehydrated, which can make them more uncomfortable and increase their symptoms. Dehydration also makes it difficult for the body to fight off infection.
Stay on top of your child’s hydration by offering them water and liquids frequently. Opt for water, herbal tea, or an electrolyte replacement drink. Try to avoid sugary drinks or juices, as these may increase dehydration. You can also try giving your child ice pops, small sips of a sports drink, or coconut water to replace lost electrolytes. Chilled water is also more appealing than room-temperature water for kids.
The NHS recommends offering small, frequent sips of fluids such as water, oral rehydration solutions, or diluted electrolyte drinks to prevent dehydration in children. For kids who refuse to drink, ice pops, chilled water, or small amounts of flavored electrolyte solutions can help encourage fluid intake.
Tip: Don’t force your child to take in liquids if they aren’t interested. However, encourage them to sip liquids frequently throughout the day.
Related:25 Delicious Smoothie Recipes For Kids To Try
2. Dress Them Comfortably
If your child is dressed in heavy layers or thick blankets, this can cause them to overheat and increase their fever. For this reason, it’s important that your child is dressed comfortably while they have a fever.
For a child with a fever, make sure that they are dressed in lightweight, breathable clothing, like cotton. Use a light sheet or blanket on them and don’t add additional layers. If your child is shivering with their fever, you can add an additional light blanket to help them feel more comfortable. However, avoid bundling your child up completely.
If your child starts to feel cold, do not bundle them up in heavy blankets. Bundling causes heat to be trapped near the body, which will only increase your child’s fever.
“If your child is shivering they may need a light blanket, but too many blankets will trap the heat and make them overheat.” The NHS advises keeping clothes minimal. You can ensure your child stays comfortable in loose-fitting cotton pyjamas.
3. Use a Lukewarm Bath
Giving your child a lukewarm bath is a natural and efficient way to bring down your child’s fever. The cool temperature of the water will naturally help bring down their fever and body temperature without the use of medication.
A lukewarm bath should only be around 98°F (37°C), so make sure you measure the water to the correct temperature. Let your child sit in the lukewarm bath for up to 10 to 15 minutes. If they do not want to sit in the bathtub, you can sponge their body with the lukewarm water. Afterward, dry them off and dress your child in a light cotton top.
Tip: Never use ice-cold water or an alcohol bath on your child to bring down their fever. These methods can be dangerous and lead to complications.
Related: How To Make Sure Your Kids Are Happy
4. Apply a Cool Compress
Cool compresses can be a useful way to naturally reduce a fever in kids. This works by drawing heat away from the child’s body, helping to bring down the fever. The cold cloth on their forehead, neck, or wrists can also provide relief from fever headaches and discomfort.
To use a cool compress:
Soak a soft washcloth in cool water. Avoid using ice-cold water and wring the cloth out until it is damp but not dripping.
Gently place the cloth on your child’s forehead or back of the neck.
Replace the cloth every 15-20 minutes until the fever breaks or subsides.
Tip: Don’t use ice packs or frozen cold water on your child’s skin. They can cause discomfort and damage to the child’s skin.
5. Ensure They Get Plenty of Rest
One of the most important things you can do to help your child recover from a fever is to let them rest. Rest is vital to the recovery process, and sleep is one of the best ways to help your child get the rest they need to heal.
Encourage your child to get plenty of rest and sleep while they are ill. To help your child rest, set up a quiet and calm place where they can sleep and relax. Avoid exposing them to loud sounds, bright lights, or extreme temperatures. Make sure your child is also comfortable and adjust their pillows and blankets as needed. Remember to be patient and don’t make your child do anything they don’t want to do while they are ill.
If your child’s fever is making it difficult for them to sleep, try giving them a soft pillow or blanket for extra comfort.
Related: How to Help Your Baby Sleep Better
6. Use Herbal Teas and Natural Remedies
Herbal teas and natural remedies have been used to cure many ailments for thousands of years, and they can be effective for helping to lower a fever in children. Herbal teas can help soothe a child’s body and offer a number of health benefits. Try some of the following teas and remedies for fever in children.
Chamomile Tea: Chamomile tea has been used for generations as a mild sedative to calm and soothe those who drink it. Chamomile tea can be useful for a fevered child by helping them to relax and get plenty of sleep.
Peppermint Tea: The leaves of the peppermint plant have natural cooling properties, making peppermint tea a great natural remedy to help lower a fever in kids.
Ginger Tea: Ginger tea has a natural anti-inflammatory effect that can help treat your child’s fever.
Lemon Balm Tea: Lemon balm is a mild sedative that can help reduce anxiety in your child and calm them.
Tip: Ensure the herbal tea is not too hot for your child to drink. Consult your doctor or medical professional if you are unsure about any herbal or natural remedies for your child’s fever.
7. Keep the Room Cool
Maintaining a cool temperature in the room where your child is resting is a great way to help reduce your child’s fever. Keeping a child in a warm room will only increase their body temperature, and this can cause the child’s fever to increase.
You can easily cool a room down by turning on a fan and increasing the circulation of air. If the weather permits, you can also open windows to allow a cool breeze to flow through. You can also place a bowl of ice or a damp towel in front of the fan to increase the cooling effect.
Tip: Aim for a room temperature that is 68-72°F (20-22°C). Don’t cool the room too much as this can cause your child discomfort.
Related: How to Sleep Train a Newborn In 7 Gentle Ways
8. Offer Light, Easy-to-Digest Foods
A child with a fever might not have the appetite that they usually have. However, it is still important to ensure your child is receiving adequate nutrition from light and easy-to-digest foods. Foods like broths, soups, or mashed fruits like banana or applesauce are all healthy and comforting options that your child should be able to digest with ease.
Offer your child the following foods:
Chicken Soup: Helps your child stay hydrated and also has anti-inflammatory properties that can help lower your child’s fever.
Banana: Bananas are easy on the stomach and provide a lot of potassium.
Rice or Plain Crackers: These are easy to digest and provide carbohydrates.
Yogurt: Yogurt has probiotics that can balance your child’s digestive system.
Tip: Don’t give your child any heavy or greasy foods which might make them feel more uncomfortable. Light and comforting foods are best for fevered children.
Related:10 Healthy Meal Ideas for 9-Month-Old Babies
9. Monitor the Fever Regularly
Monitoring your child’s fever is an important step in being able to understand whether the fever is getting worse or better. Monitor their temperature over time to keep track of their fever and note if there are any sudden increases or decreases in temperature.
To monitor your child’s fever:
Use a good thermometer to check your child’s temperature. A digital thermometer will give you the most accurate readings.
Check your child’s temperature regularly and note the time of day and temperature.
If your child’s temperature reaches 104°F (40°C) or higher, or if they are in severe discomfort, contact your doctor or medical professional.
Tip: Don’t constantly check your child’s temperature. This will only cause you and your child unnecessary anxiety. Checking their temperature a few times a day is sufficient.
Conclusion
Fevers are a common ailment in children and can be scary to deal with as a parent. Thankfully, there are several simple, natural ways to lower a fever in kids without medicine. If your child has a fever, try some of these easy methods to lower their temperature and help them relax. However, fever in children can often be dangerous and more serious than it appears.
Don’t be afraid to contact your doctor or medical professional if you are worried about your child. They can help determine if your child is seriously ill or if they will likely recover on their own. In the case of illness, it’s always better to be safe than sorry. With the right care and attention, your child will soon recover from their fever.
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