To learn more, visit Mercy’s website.
Whether you’re a new mom or a seasoned one, understanding how to keep your kids healthy is essential. Even if you think you know all of the tips and tricks, take a moment to refresh yourself. Our kids’ physical well-being is one of the many things we are responsible for as moms, and Mercy wants to help take the guesswork out of taking care of our kids by sharing this information with us.
Fever + Pain Relief
When our kids hurt, we hurt. Knowing how to soothe the aches and reduce the pain is one of the most important lessons we learn as moms. Viruses and germs are out there, and while we can’t keep our kids from getting sick, we can take the very best care of them when they’re in pain.
Many illnesses are coupled with fevers. A fever is any temperature that is 100.4 or higher. We tend to panic when the thermometer bumps up even the slightest bit, but rest assured, 99 degrees is NOT a fever.
The most accurate way to take an infant’s temperature is rectally. For older children, when you take their temperatures with the axillary method (in the armpit) or in their ears, you do not need to add or subtract a degree.
Once you discover that your child has a fever, you’ll want to bring it down. Acetaminophen (Tylenol) can be used for any age, however you should always consult your physician if your infant is under two months. because A fever in a child that young may be indicative of a serious infection requiring urgent medical attention. Acetaminophen can be dosed every four hours as needed.
Important Note:
- Children’s Tylenol and Infant Tylenol have the same concentration 160 mg per 5 mL.
- Infant Tylenol is MUCH more expensive.
- Infant Tylenol is dosed based on the weight (15 mg per kilogram). If you are uncomfortable with conversions ask your primary care doctor for the correct dosage.
Acetaminophen is also found in many combination cough and cold medicines, so be careful that you aren’t over-administering this medication.
Another common pain reliever / fever reducer is ibuprofen (Motrin, Advil). Ibuprofen can NOT be used in children under 6 months of age. There is a risk of kidney damage due to infants at that age having underdeveloped kidneys. Ibuprofen can be given every six hours as needed. NOTE: while infant and children’s Tylenol is the same concentration, infant and children’s ibuprofen have DIFFERENT concentrations.
- Infant ibuprofen is MORE concentrated
- Infant ibuprofen is 50 mg per 1.25 mL.
- Children’s ibuprofen is 100 mg/5 mL.
- Dosage is also based on weight (10 mg per kilogram) . Again, if you’re uncomfortable with conversions, ask your primary care doctor for help with determining the correct dose.
Ibuprofen has anti-inflammatory properties so it is a better pain medicine than acetaminophen. When your child is old enough, you can alternate acetaminophen and ibuprofen to get a maximum effect. Ask your pediatrician when your child will be old enough to handle this. Because these medications work differently, you are able to dose more regularly based on your doctor’s recommendations.
Raising kids is an all-consuming responsibility, so it’s important to arm yourself with knowledge ahead of time in order to create a safe space for your children. The best measure for future health is to take the time to educate yourself now.
