Although babies aged 2 to 3 have improved their resistance compared to when they were born, parents should not be careless. Because babies are still easily influenced by external factors at this time, such as poor air circulation in the room, hot weather, wearing too many clothes, and even drinking too little water, which may cause the baby to have a fever. So, what should I do if a 2-3 year old baby has a fever?
1. Common physical cooling methods for fever
(1) Cold compress method: This method is simple and easy to use. Apply a cold towel to the forehead, then soak the towel in cold water and reapply. Applying a cold water bag or ice pack is more effective than applying a cold towel to the forehead.
(2) Whole body warm water wiping bath or soaking bath: Unfasten the baby's clothes, rub the whole body with a warm towel or soak in the bath, which can dilate the blood vessels of the baby's skin and release body qi; In addition, when water vapor evaporates from the body surface, it also absorbs heat. Take a bath for about 10-15 minutes each time, approximately every 4-6 hours.
(3) Use a cold water pillow: A cold water pillow can be used when the anal temperature is above 38 ℃, which utilizes lower temperatures for local heat dissipation. Soft cold water pillows on the market are very convenient now, and the cooling temperature is not too cold, suitable for older children and toddlers. However, it is not recommended for infants under 6 months old as they are not easily able to move their bodies, which can cause local supercooling and frostbite or result in hypothermia.
2. Add sufficient hydration
Drinking plenty of water can help with sweating, as breathing increases during high fever and sweating causes the body to lose a large amount of water. Therefore, parents should give their children sufficient hydration when they have a fever, increase urine output, and promote the elimination of toxins from the body. Water has the function of regulating temperature, which can lower body temperature and replenish lost water in the body.
3. Pay attention to diet
The diet is mainly liquid, nutritious, light and easy to digest, such as Congee and Noodles in soup.
4. Wear less clothes to help children dissipate heat
The traditional concept is that when a child has a fever, they should be wrapped tightly in clothes and blankets to "force" the sweat out. However, this is actually incorrect. When children have a fever, they may experience trembling symptoms, and parents may think that their children are cold, but this is actually due to spasms caused by their body temperature rising.
5. Pay attention to indoor air quality
Maintain appropriate indoor temperature and air circulation, minimize visits from family and friends to prevent cross infection, and facilitate baby rest.
So, parents should pay more attention to observing their baby's mental state and temperature changes during the period of fever. Generally speaking, if a baby's fever is below 38.5 ℃, physical cooling methods can be used, and medication should not be abused. If the baby has a fever higher than 38.5 ℃, they should be taken to the hospital in a timely manner and take antipyretic medication under the guidance of a doctor.
